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Back in 1978, John Carpenter came with a simple idea for a horror film – a killer on the loose relentlessly pursuing a babysitter – and in the process revolutionized horror. He was described as "pure evil" or the "boogeyman" himself, and anybody could've been a victim. This time, it just happened to be Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis).
However, when the inevitable sequel came along, it was decided to move the story "forward" that Laurie and Michael Myers were siblings, giving some sort of motive for his killing spree, but also stripping the film from its terrifying randomness. Nonetheless, that has been the backbone of the franchise all through its sequels, essentially "handcuffing" Michael to either Laurie or her offspring (i.e. Jamie Lloyd) and most would say, dragging it all along.
20 years later, Michael is back looking for his sister, ignoring all the sequels in between. Halloween H20 follows the attempts from Laurie, who now runs a private academy under the name of Keri Tate, to finally stop Michael while protecting his teenage son John (Josh Hartnett). He is the one who says the above quote to Laurie, trying to snap her out of the traumas and ghosts of her past, which we know will become her present AND future again.
Fortunately, Halloween H20 ends up being a fairly competent slasher and probably one of the best entries of the franchise. To see Jamie Lee Curtis take on the role again, balancing the terror and fear of his brother with a newfound resourcefulnes is quite good. Hartnett is also pretty solid as her son, and although most of the supporting cast end up being bodies for Michael to dispose of, they're mostly likable and enjoyable to watch interact.
But aside of performances, I think this is a film that survives thanks to some pretty good direction. The way that Miner shoots Myers, and also how stuntman Chris Durant moves in the role, feels a bit more savage, a bit more angry, and I think that adds to the tension, especially in the second half. Most of the kills are also pretty good, which is always a positive in a horror film.
I think Miner's direction peaks in a pretty nerve-wracking scene when Michael is chasing John and his girlfriend right to the front door culminating in the inevitable sibling face-off pictured above. The scene is reminiscent of the edge-of-your-seat chase scene from the original, and feels like it brings the whole pathos of Laurie's character full circle. Jamie has gone on to play her four more times, so like it or not, she's handcuffed to this character and to her "dead brother". At least this one's worth a watch.
Grade:
HALLOWEEN H20
20 YEARS LATER
(1998, Miner)
20 YEARS LATER
(1998, Miner)
"If you want to stay handcuffed to your dead brother, that's fine. But you're not dragging me along. Not anymore."
Back in 1978, John Carpenter came with a simple idea for a horror film – a killer on the loose relentlessly pursuing a babysitter – and in the process revolutionized horror. He was described as "pure evil" or the "boogeyman" himself, and anybody could've been a victim. This time, it just happened to be Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis).
However, when the inevitable sequel came along, it was decided to move the story "forward" that Laurie and Michael Myers were siblings, giving some sort of motive for his killing spree, but also stripping the film from its terrifying randomness. Nonetheless, that has been the backbone of the franchise all through its sequels, essentially "handcuffing" Michael to either Laurie or her offspring (i.e. Jamie Lloyd) and most would say, dragging it all along.
20 years later, Michael is back looking for his sister, ignoring all the sequels in between. Halloween H20 follows the attempts from Laurie, who now runs a private academy under the name of Keri Tate, to finally stop Michael while protecting his teenage son John (Josh Hartnett). He is the one who says the above quote to Laurie, trying to snap her out of the traumas and ghosts of her past, which we know will become her present AND future again.
Fortunately, Halloween H20 ends up being a fairly competent slasher and probably one of the best entries of the franchise. To see Jamie Lee Curtis take on the role again, balancing the terror and fear of his brother with a newfound resourcefulnes is quite good. Hartnett is also pretty solid as her son, and although most of the supporting cast end up being bodies for Michael to dispose of, they're mostly likable and enjoyable to watch interact.
But aside of performances, I think this is a film that survives thanks to some pretty good direction. The way that Miner shoots Myers, and also how stuntman Chris Durant moves in the role, feels a bit more savage, a bit more angry, and I think that adds to the tension, especially in the second half. Most of the kills are also pretty good, which is always a positive in a horror film.
I think Miner's direction peaks in a pretty nerve-wracking scene when Michael is chasing John and his girlfriend right to the front door culminating in the inevitable sibling face-off pictured above. The scene is reminiscent of the edge-of-your-seat chase scene from the original, and feels like it brings the whole pathos of Laurie's character full circle. Jamie has gone on to play her four more times, so like it or not, she's handcuffed to this character and to her "dead brother". At least this one's worth a watch.
Grade: