 Main
Menu |
|
|
 Submissions |
|
Submit
a Review
If
you're involved in a horror movie, book or game and would like
to see it reviewed on HorrorWatch, click
here.
|
|
|
Halloween
2
|
|
The
nightmare isn't over.
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Myers has just had a clothes-hanger ran into his eye, been stabbed
with a butcher knife, shot about ten times and fallen out of a
two story window! He is also back on his feet and right back after
his sister Laurie. In the next few hours Dr. Sam Loomis and Laurie
are going to try and survive the rest of Halloween night and put
an end to Michael’s rampage. Not so much a sequel as an immediate
continuation of the first film, Halloween 2 takes place only seconds
after the first film ends and continues Michael's pursuit
of his sister.
Although it was made a few years after the first film, Halloween
2 takes Micheal Myers into the world of the stereotypical slasher
films of the early and mid eighties. Not quite as chilling as
the first film, this sequel is a mass body count, mass-produced,
full on Hollywood sequel, even though original creator John Carpenter
is still involved with the film.
Laurie is taken to the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital for treatment
to her wounds. Eventually Michael heads towards the hospital taking
out the occasional teen in the way as Dr. Loomis runs interference
as usual. Once inside the hospital things pick up a little as
about the last forty five minutes or so is Michael stalking Laurie
while killing any doctors and nurses who get in the way while
Loomis runs interference, why does that sound familiar? There
are a lot of cameos from characters in the first film, like Sheriff
Brackett, and Haddonfield looks exactly the same.
The only really good edition to this cast is the character called
Budd, an ambulance driver, who is a complete smart ass, but who
ya kinda like. Also Loomis gains a little more insight into Michael’s
past in this one from a helpful nurse. Also in a small bit part
SNL alumni Dana Carvey makes his debut in this film.
Personally I liked this film better than the first one, although
I also have to admit that I am not a huge Michael Myers fan, so
to the purist out there that may be sacrilege. But Halloween 2
does give an ending to the series and the "Mr Sandman"
song at the end was just a great touch.
6/10
|
|
Halloween
2
|
|
The
nightmare isn't over.
|
|
|
|
|
Having recently seen Rob Zombie's take on the original Halloween
I decided to go back and check out the other films in the original
series as a refresher course in the rather mordant history of
one Mr. Michael Myers.
I have to say, after so many year this little beauty still holds
up pretty well. While it is in no way, shape or form the equal
of the Carpenter original, Halloween II does boast a surprising
amount of suspense, some decent kills and terrific cinematography
from Dean Cundy, who worked the original film and manages to keep
the feel of the proceedings intact here.
The late, great Donald Pleasance is easily the standout this time.
Having had a chance to inhabit Dr. Loomis once already, the man
gives it his all and keeps the viewer captivated throughout, never
letting the audience forget that these films are chronicling the
pursuit of evil in human form. How good is Pleasance in this movie?
His opening line "You don't know what death is"
is delivered with such gravitas that it could serve as an explanation
of the delights of the horror genre from a fan to the uninitiated.
Where the film loses it’s way is in the emphasis on bloody shocks
rather than suspense. Whereas Michael was a prowling specter that
would loom ominously in the farthest corners of the frame originally,
here he is simply an unstoppable monster. Despite a few choice
moments of edgy creepiness (most notably a sequence where Myers
lurks malevolently inside of a hospital infant ward in the back
ground while foreground characters converse unaware), his primary
function here is to pop up, brutally murder some quickly - introduced
- and- disposed - of cannon fodder, then disappear until it's
time to raise the body count again.
Also, Jamie Lee Curtis is totally wasted. The strong, brave heroine
of the first outing is replaced by a trembling, barely mobile
woman hindered by sedatives as she (literally at one point) crawls
around the hospital to avoid her murderous stalker.
The main contribution to the Halloween franchise that part
two brings is the revelation of the family connection between
Laurie and Michael. It's a smart move, consequently upping
the stakes in the last ten minutes, a sequence which- by any standard-
is tense and exciting.
Interestingly, the film ends on a definite note and until money
hungry producers decided to resurrect The Shape a few years later,
this spelled the end for Michael Myers.
More akin to a Friday the 13th film and wasting it's
protagonist, Halloween II nevertheless deserves a nod as
one of the better sequels to emerge from the 80's. It is
scary and a lot of fun. Horror fans could do a lot worse when
trying to satisfy their Myers related All Hallows fix.
Eight out Ten visits to the sauna where things really heat
up.
|
(1981)
Rick Rosenthal, John Carpenter, Debra Hill
Jamie Lee Curtis .... Laurie Strode
Donald Pleasence .... Dr. Sam Loomis
Charles Cyphers .... Sheriff Leigh Brackett
Lance Guest .... Jimmy Lloyd
Hunter von Leer .... Deputy Gary Hunt
Nancy Stephens .... Marion Chambers
Tawny Moyer .... Nurse Jill Franco
Ana Alicia .... Nurse Janet Marshall
Pamela Susan Shoop .... Nurse Karen Bailey
Dick Warlock .... The Shape/Patrolman #3
Gloria Gifford .... Head Nurse Mrs. Alves
Ford Rainey .... Dr. Frederick Mixter
Leo Rossi .... Budd
Cliff 'Fatty' Emmich .... Mr. Garrett
John Zenda .... The Marshal
Also known as:
Halloween II: The Horror Continues
Halloween II: The Nightmare Isn't Over!
|
|
 Search
the Site |
|
|
|
