Check out my updated review here! https://thevagrantrises.blogspot.com/2018/10/updated-review-17-halloween-1978.html
Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!
Plot Summary: After being institutionalized for 15 years, Michael Myers "comes home" to continue his killing spree on Halloween night.
Review: Well, it's October now which is my favorite month with my favorite holiday which just so happens to be the title to one of my favorite franchises: Halloween! Again, we are going into the realm of an iconic villain and story with Michael Myers that I believe most are familiar with. Forget the mythos for a second and let's just focus on the original tale for what it was; I do realize it is so hard to suspend that knowledge that Michael Myers is Laurie Strode's (Jamie Lee Curtis) brother, but that was only true in the sequel. What can I say, it's the quintessential slasher film! "Halloween" has been credited with being the first in many things, which it isn't, but I would say it was the forerunner for providing the dynamics of what would become the standard for the '80s slasher phenomenon. Despite not actually being the first, this film was still original and quite imaginative for the time while pioneering some filming techniques among many other technical aspects. Considering how low the budget was, how inexperienced the crew was (John Carpenter really is a master), and the short filming schedule, I would say this film deserves extra credit for all that it was able to accomplish. While the story is mostly average, it is the presentation and characters that make it feel so engaging while the simplicity allows for focus. The setting of Halloween, the holiday, enhances the sense of fear or dread as we mentally associate it more with evil and supernatural forces. I do need to commend the crew for making Southern California appear as the fictional mid-west town of Haddonfield during Fall time. While the background characters are mostly just fodder we have three strong performances from Laurie, Michael, and, my favorite, Dr. Loomis (played by the late Donald Pleasence). Laurie makes for a perfect girl next door who just so happens to be stalked by a masked killer while simply trying to babysit; having this randomness to the killings adds to the fear viewers felt at the time as you don't know why Michael is fixated on her. Although, I have to admit, Mrs. Curtis' performance was shoddy at times, but she did come to life as the "fun" began, and you quickly realize how she would later garner the title of "scream queen." The Loomis character helps add some cohesion as the obsessed and borderline insane doctor of Michael when he was at the mental institution. Throughout the film, and most of the franchise for that matter, Loomis dishes out the best lines and helps the audience understand the evil of Michael. Although he often serves as a means of exposition, Mr. Pleasence somehow creates a unique experience with the deranged and quirky aspects of the doctor; Loomis often feels as though he is on a quest to stop Michael which makes his character feel more heroic. Michael (and that mask!) has become something of a legend, but in the beginning he was just this force of evil that seems to be everywhere always lurking just out of view of the characters in the shadows. Michael also never speaks (yes, Rob Zombie, he never fucking speaks!) and seems inhuman which adds to this persona of an unstoppable killing machine; Loomis helps explain this with his line about Michael waiting patiently all the fifteen years for that Halloween night! It also doesn't hurt that Michael always appears so imposing and as a genuine threat, but, unfortunately, as with much of the icons, he almost appears comical nowaday. Obviously no review of "Halloween" is complete without addressing that that musical score is genius! The moment you hear it your mind is just filled with nostalgia as to whatever "Halloween" means to you. Like many things in this film, it is so simplistic yet so unbelievably effective. It's not hard to see why this film was so successful as it was a modern day classic in the making. Everything about this film works so well, and it rightfully deserves its iconic status. I always make it a habit to watch this movie a few times each October. I'd recommend anyone to watch this film especially now or watch the whole franchise as I go through it! Sadly, the sequels never could hold up to the greatness of the original.
Notable Moment: The entire opening sequence with it's surprising twist, engaging and innovative camera work, and outstanding ability to set the tone for the film ahead so perfectly.
Final Rating: 9/10
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