Halloween is a fulfilling sequel; just right for the current era.

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Todd - 2018’s Halloween leads us down yet another timeline in the Halloween franchise, though it may just be the best one yet. Taking the place of Halloween II, the latest installment takes us to current day, exactly 40 years after the events of Halloween in which Laurie Strode fended off Michael Myers with the aid of a now-deceased Dr. Loomis.

With any other events from the other previous movies discarded, Laurie has gone down an ultra defensive path costing her the relationships with her daughter, granddaughter and two husbands. No longer the perfectionist we saw in the original film, Laurie is now always armed and ready. There isn’t much time dedicated to establishing a deep back story for either character, however, it’s evident that the events in 1978 scarred Laurie for life deeply to the point of obsession.

We learn that Michael has been in lockdown at a mental facility under the care of Dr. Loomis’s protégé, Dr. Sartain, who has an unrelinquished desire to understand how Michael’s mind works, what drives him and what the act of murder triggers inside the human mind.

It just so happens that on the eve of Halloween night 40 years later, Michael is to be transported to another facility. Ass the story unfolds, it’s left to the viewer to decide whether this is sheer coincidence or not.

Immediately, you may be wary of the apparent parallels of the first film and while yes, Michael makes an escape en route, this Halloween delivers new twists while maintaining a flow that falls into place naturally with its predecessor. This is not a simple re-hash like the one evident between Star Wars Episodes IV and VII.

As expected with this age of horror films, the pace of the movie isn’t as docile as the first, yet it doesn’t feel rushed by any means either. It is simple and straightforward just like the original. Special effects and budget allow for
more graphic and gruesome killings which will surely keep slasher fans entertained throughout. Michael Myers - credited as “The Shape” - keeps his demeanor and methods on par with the first film. There’s no need to worry that 40 years in lock down has turned Myers into a terminator-like juggernaut or some scheming criminal mastermind. He is the same mysterious killer with no indication of emotion or drive, which may very well be the most disturbing aspect of him as a character.

Laurie Strode has now transformed from prey to predator and she will stop at nothing to protect the family who has emotionally abandoned her while ensuring Michael Myers is killed with no chance of retuning.

Halloween is arguably the most widely recognized horror franchise of all time and this year’s direct sequel is worthy of the namesake. A touch of humor is added this time around, but not to worry, this is by no means the ”Bride of Chucky” of the storyline.

To avoid any spoilers, I will spare
you any more details. I am a horror fan through and through and with all honesty I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I noticed a few very minor continuity errors (probably the result of editing decisions) but all in all this was one solid movie!

At a time where decades-awaited sequels are living up to expectations (Blade Runner 2049, anyone?), Halloween is no different. As anyone could have guessed, the most subtle post-credits offering leaves us suspecting that this Halloween timeline has a little more thrill left to go.

Score: 9 / 10

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