NOSTALGIA: The new “Halloween” film successfully captures the thrills and gore of the original while still developing its own identity
By Micah Pierce, Staff Writer
The newest addition to the “Halloween” franchise serves as a direct sequel to the original, ignoring the multitude of “sequels” that have come before it, and maintains the original ending with Michael Myers (Nick Castle) behind bars. Jamie Lee Curtis also returns to reprise her role as the sole survivor from the original movie, Laurie Strode. This time around, Strode is no longer a helpless babysitter but a heavily armed woman with PTSD ready to fight off Myers should he ever escape his incarceration. The inevitable occurs when Myers escapes 40 years after his original 1978 killing spree with the help of his deranged handler, Dr. Ranbir Sartain (Haluk Bilginer). Myers immediately heads back to the setting of the original movie, Haddonfield Illinois. He then targets Strode’s daughter and granddaughter, Karen Nelson (Judy Greer), and Allyson Nelson (Andi Matichack). Myers methodically eliminates the people close to her in a spectacularly bloody fashion, and as the violence escalates, the final showdown between Myers and the three generations of Strode women approaches in an equally spectacular manner.
Curtis’ return to the franchise is wonderfully done and her performance as Strode loses no momentum in between the original film and now. The intense trauma she suffered four decades ago has a profound effect on herself and her family. She is willing to be alienated and hated by them in order to protect them from the inevitable return of Michael Myers. Although this trait is painted as a flaw, it gives her the ability to fight back against Myers. Curtis combines the intensity and raw vulnerability of her character to give a truly exhilarating performance. As the next two generations of Strode women, Greer and Matichack provide solid performances as complex yet surprisingly relatable characters. Karen Nelson is trying to find some good in the world for her and her daughter, and Allyson wants to build a relationship with her troubled grandmother without her 40 year old trauma getting in the way.
Though most of the movie is focused on the conflicts surrounding the Strode women, the supporting cast provides unexpected yet refreshing laughs with a script full of dark humor. The peripheral roles don’t seem like throwaway characters fated to die with little consequence like other horror movies. Despite their unavoidable demises, the script maximizes the usage of each character by giving them their own distinct identities and memorable moments before they die. This approach makes the viewer care more about each character, despite their minimal screen time.
None of the other “Halloween” sequels have ever been able to reach the level of the original, but this iteration is definitely a step up from the rest. Through the heavy tension and gruesome murders that are inherent to the “Halloween” franchise, the audience also receives some darkly hilarious moments. Curtis, along with Greer and Matichack, bring a unique female family dynamic to the film, working together to fight their literal and figurative demons. With an amazing script, memorable characters, and wicked kills, “Halloween” is a movie worthy of its success.