Halloween 2 [Blu-ray]

SPOILERS

Having just watched both of Zombie's remakes of the Halloween films, I have to say that I found them immensely satisfying, but H2 seems to come in for more criticism, so I thought I'd concentrate my review on this film.

I've only seen the theatrical version, but have ordered a copy of the vastly different Director's Cut (only available on R1) that Zombie thought 'too dark' for mass audience appeal and so held back for the DVD release. In THAT version Myers, Laurie and Loomis all die and Laurie's descent into madness is fleshed out (her relationship with Brackett's daughter is also more antagonistic).

But, what to make of the H2 on offer here? Well, I'm half tempted to suggest that many people dismissive of H2 simply fail to hook into what Zombie is trying to achieve with the mythology of Michael Myers. Myer's operates on a purely internal psychological landscape, pushing him on to kill. He also exists as a psychological horror to the people of Haddonfield, still waiting for the body to turn up a year later. He is more archetype of a pure violence that erupts - as violence often does - without warning and for little reason. Hence the white horse and vision of his mother (as explained in the pre-title card). The pschological link between Laurie and Michael is a link of shared violence. Laurie dreams of killing her friend after being 'touched by evil' in the first film. Her encounter with her brother awakens these troubling psychic thoughts and visions. I found that very interesting. Laurie is flat out doomed from the start, one way or another. Her final vision of the white horse (in the theatrical version) is an acceptance of that part of herself as she is, presumably, locked away having suffered a massive breakdown. In the director's cut, that is her dying vision. The only thing I feel Zombie really missed out on here was for Laurie to go off the rails and almost embrace her 'celebrity status' as the sister of Michael Myers. That would have been a more cutting and astute observation of fame and 'cashing in' than what Loomis has to deal with in this follow up.

A lot of people bemoan the fact that Loomis is so unlikable in this film. I disagree. In the original 2007 version he's as vain and as arrogant about his previous Myers book. As MacDowell also said, Loomis is a rubbish psychiatrist and 'a complete failure.' The only thing that doesn't hang together for me in H2 is the purpose of Loomis. It might have been better had he been a cameo (or not even in it) because, as other reviewers pointed out, the character does nothing throughout the film and brings nothing to the table but is graced with vague redemption at the violent climax.

Brad Dourif (already signed up for Halloween 3D - yes, enough already) is brilliant as usual. And Scout Compton as Laurie does an excellent job as Laurie. Tyler Mane, as Michael, is brilliant. You believe this force of nature.

One the down side, some of the dialogue flirts with cheesiness and Zombie caters to the market with a few stereotypical 'teenagers having sex = death' scenes, but it's well shot and nicely edited. The story meanders a little in the second half (as in the 2007 version, which became a dry remake of Carpenter's original) but it manages to hold the attention, avoid the 'pornography of violence' (Zombie is always careful to show violence as it truly is - always ugly, for some a natural part of life) and do something different. And I think it's the 'doing something different' that irks people so much. I'm glad it wasn't a boring rehash of the original. I'm glad chances were taken with characters and the introduction of visions and nightmares. I'm more than happy with Loomis being a complete jerk and laurie losing it. It kept the film unpredictable and fresh.

Zombie polarises opinion. I think he's a great filmmaker. I can't say that I find his films a comfortable watch, but in pushing boundaries, challenging and twisting story (and morality) on its head, he always surprises me and - if not always perfect - I'd settle for his horror movies over the Saw fiasco anyday of the week.

The 2007 remake of Halloween, stayed very true to the original but changed certain aspects of the characters, adding some more back story and filling out the motives and reasons behind who and what Michael Myers is.

This sequel is not a reimagining of the original Halloween II with Jamie Lee Curtis, although it does have a brief what-if scenario at the start.

With some surprises cameos and some good direction by Rob Zombie. The talents of the young Laurie (Scout Taylor-Compton)must be applauded for getting in the nitty gritty of slasher films.

This movie takes the classic tale down a road never explored and ends with a truly shocking if not ever-so-slightly predictable way, leaving a door open for a third installment which is actually due this year (2011)

This is not a gorefest, or shocker movie but there are moments and is definitely not for children.
Also a good price, thanks Amazon.

First off, I am a fan of Rob Zombie as a musician and a director. I am also a HUGE fan of the Halloween franchise and I liked his re-worked version of Halloween to some extent. I didn't think that his version of Halloween was as good as John Carpenter's original masterpiece, obviously. However, this sequel was the biggest disappointment I have seen in quite some time. I found the first 40 minutes of the movie quite entertaining and really clever, it reminded me of a re-worked version of Halloween II which is what I thought this would be, but with a Rob Zombie spin. Of course, that wasn't the case. The first 40 minutes turned out to be a dream. One of the biggest mistakes in a story as it makes the story pointless. However after the first 40 minutes the rest of the movie was completely messy and stupid. I can't believe someone who I had so much faith in after seeing the remake of Halloween in 2007, created this pile of junk. I was majorly appaulled with the film and I was also annoyed to find he managed to work Sherri Moon Zombie in it again when she wasn't needed. Her addition to the film was ridiculous and she looked like she was a character in a low budget B movie, I wouldn't mind if her type of character was - but this is supposed to be a Halloween and it is not supposed to be camp at all. I will definately not be watching this film again.