HALLOWEEN II
DIR: Rob Zombie
(2009)
(Great Big Fat Spoilers ensue)
So I just finished watching Rob Zombie's direct follow-up sequel to Halloween; Halloween II, and I must say after all the negative reviews I somewhat feel the need to defend this movie.
First let me start by briefly pointing out the three obvious flaws; The opening dream sequence was way too long, the linked psychosis angle was ridiculous and the introduction of characters only to be killed off is so 20 years ago.
Now with that being said the real purpose of this film should have stayed focused on Laurie's mental well being and for a minute there I thought and hoped that would be the case. Her therapy sessions were the real standout of the story so it shocked me when in the third act all that clever writing had dissipated and what we were left with was the most cliched shit imaginable.
The opening sequence was way too long and would have benefited from shorter pacing, the reveal becomes obvious because of the drawn out length. Although I suppose that may have been the intention, but that's like been handed a wrapped present and being told what it is as you're in the process of opening it.
Laurie picking up the blade at the climax (Yes I'm well aware we were to be convinced she was mentally headed in that direction) was sorry to say but nothing less than stupid only to be shot multiple times without any given orders. And although I liked Sheriff Brackett going after Michael in the barn house lets face it he would have been in absolutely no state to do so after his daughter's brutal murder. (Did she survive? ...again)
As always with his films, the music Rob Zombie incorporated was spot on perfect. The use of Love Hurts during the final sequence was genius, the scene itself makes up for was we just saw minutes ago. This dream-like sequence was one of only two that should have stayed as all the rest of these visions ruined what could have been a well played out straight story, the one other keeper was when a young Michael Myers informs his mother that he had found "Boo." Having his inner-self and mother follow him around really in my opinion was unreasonably distracting and then to have Laurie somehow also see them too, c'mon. Preferably Carpenters excuse of linking the two characters with a curse was far more logical.
Casting was spot on with the one OBVIOUS exception. Why recast the young Michael Myers? He was primarily used just as an unnecessary "ghost" so then why couldn't he have been an older version like say I don't know -- the original actor! To me watching 'the new kid' was very off-putting. I think there was one flashback scene where he needed to be young but not enough to be recast.
The added characters were great - if only they had more screen time. It was a crying shame that they all had to die. Geez, did anyone in the film make it out alive?
Lastly I must close by stating the film's BIGGEST problem: It was not scary! Not even in the slightest. It's just Michael Myers randomly killing people. It didn't even have the much needed feeling of Laurie being stalked. If only in some sane world Zombie could or would re-cut the print making the above changes even if it included some added re-shoots it would so definitely be worth it, because as I hinted at the beginning of this rant: I did not hate this movie.
No rating at this time.
