I have to start by explaining that the original film by John Carpenter was a masterpiece. It was the first horror film I had ever seen, and it has given me more nightmares than any other fictional story. I've been a huge loyalist to the franchise for many years, but this installment takes the cake as far as any sequels or remakes are concerned.
In this version, we are asked to dismiss all sequels since the first film. This film takes place 40 years after the original and finds two English pod casters (Rhian Rees and Jefferson Hall) searching for stories on the Haddonfield murders. They start by visiting the Smith's Grove Sanitarium, the home of Michael Myers for the past four decades. Michael's previous doctor, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), has died and Micheal is now being cared for by Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer). Michael hasn't spoken a word in forty years, and this day would be no different.
The pod casters then decide to visit Laurie Strode, Jamie Lee Curtis, who was the surviving sister of Michael back in 1978. Unfortunately, for them, Laurie isn't offering up much more than Micheal did. Laurie has been preparing for Michael's escape since that dreadful Halloween night, so long ago. She has become a survivalist, a marksman, and a mother.
We find out fast that Laurie's daughter, Judy Greer, and grand-daughter, Andi Matichak, don't have much contact with Laurie. Laurie's daughter was taken by the state when she was 12, and never really recovered or forgave her mother for that. Up until that point, Laurie had taught her daughter how to fight, how to shoot, and how to survive.
I really loved how Danny McBride and director David Gordon Green crafted this story. John Carpenter served as a producer on the film and I think that really helped. Michael was back to his old form. No words, no sounds, no grunts (ie. Rob Zombie's remakes). Just plain evil.
There were some liberties taken that I didn't agree with, at all though. The fact that Michael kills a kid. I definitely do not agree with that. He never killed kids! After his escape, Michael finds his way back to Haddonfield. Once there, he proceeds to kill a lonely housewife, just to steal her butcher knife. In the original, he just stole on from a woman's house. After he kills the housewife, he wanders into a random house and kills the woman inside, for no reason???? However, the brutality, and some humor, are definitely here.
The extent to the preparation that Laurie has gone through are elaborate, extensive, and absolute genius! This is the second best chapter in the illustrious career of Jamie Lee Curtis. She, and the original film, still holds the Scream Queen crown, and gave birth to the slasher genre. Although that last statement is highly debatable.
I absolutely loved this sequel! Definitely worth the time and money! Suitable for anyone over the age of 14.
