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That's how a particularly drunken priest describes "the end of the world, Armageddon" to Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance), something which he claims to have been hunting "for 30 years". In a way, that might mirror Loomis' own quest to hunt Michael Myers, which he describes as "evil on two legs". Ten years ago, he barely stopped him as he tried to kill Laurie Strode. But after being in a coma for a long time, Myers now returns to kill Laurie's daughter, Jamie (Danielle Harris).
Halloween 4 starts with the transfer of Myers from one hospital to another, and his expected eventual escape. With Myers headed to Haddonfield, it is up to Loomis to stop him from murdering Jamie. But this time, he has the help of the townspeople, especially Jamie's foster sister, Rachel (Ellie Cornell).
As we all know, this film came to be because of the failure of Halloween III. With audiences clamoring for the return of Myers, the producers and the studio gave them just that, resulting in what could be seen as a retread of the original film: Myers escapes, goes to Haddonfield, stalks family member, kills random people.
A couple of things separate this installment from the bunch. First, Rachel makes for a pretty good "final girl". She's brave, smart, and resourceful, and manages to hold her own against Michael. Second, despite all the rehashed elements, it is nice to see a "different" Haddonfield, with townsfolk still suffering and reeling in from the events of a decade before. Not that the film dwells too much in it, but it was still nice to see that speck of realism.
However, the film really doesn't have a lot of memorable kills (the only significant ones were added in post-production when the studio deemed the film too tame) which makes it feel a bit neutered. Also, the film tries to insert some level of "mental connection" between Jamie and Michael, but aside from the final shot, I don't think the execution of this plotline was the best. If they had played on that a bit better through the film, the final shot would've been significantly more powerful.
Despite those flaws, Halloween 4 is still a fairly competent slasher with two pretty good leads and a solid ending. It's also nice to see Donald Pleasance still give it his all, despite the shortcomings of the script. He gives such an intense energy to his performance as he relentlessly tries to finish off Michael, even if deep down he knows you can't kill damnaton.
Grade:
HALLOWEEN 4
THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS
(1988, Little)
THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS
(1988, Little)
"You can't kill damnation, Mister. It don't die like a man dies."
That's how a particularly drunken priest describes "the end of the world, Armageddon" to Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance), something which he claims to have been hunting "for 30 years". In a way, that might mirror Loomis' own quest to hunt Michael Myers, which he describes as "evil on two legs". Ten years ago, he barely stopped him as he tried to kill Laurie Strode. But after being in a coma for a long time, Myers now returns to kill Laurie's daughter, Jamie (Danielle Harris).
Halloween 4 starts with the transfer of Myers from one hospital to another, and his expected eventual escape. With Myers headed to Haddonfield, it is up to Loomis to stop him from murdering Jamie. But this time, he has the help of the townspeople, especially Jamie's foster sister, Rachel (Ellie Cornell).
As we all know, this film came to be because of the failure of Halloween III. With audiences clamoring for the return of Myers, the producers and the studio gave them just that, resulting in what could be seen as a retread of the original film: Myers escapes, goes to Haddonfield, stalks family member, kills random people.
A couple of things separate this installment from the bunch. First, Rachel makes for a pretty good "final girl". She's brave, smart, and resourceful, and manages to hold her own against Michael. Second, despite all the rehashed elements, it is nice to see a "different" Haddonfield, with townsfolk still suffering and reeling in from the events of a decade before. Not that the film dwells too much in it, but it was still nice to see that speck of realism.
However, the film really doesn't have a lot of memorable kills (the only significant ones were added in post-production when the studio deemed the film too tame) which makes it feel a bit neutered. Also, the film tries to insert some level of "mental connection" between Jamie and Michael, but aside from the final shot, I don't think the execution of this plotline was the best. If they had played on that a bit better through the film, the final shot would've been significantly more powerful.
Despite those flaws, Halloween 4 is still a fairly competent slasher with two pretty good leads and a solid ending. It's also nice to see Donald Pleasance still give it his all, despite the shortcomings of the script. He gives such an intense energy to his performance as he relentlessly tries to finish off Michael, even if deep down he knows you can't kill damnaton.
Grade: