Updated Review #17: Halloween (1978 Original)

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Fifteen years after murdering his sister, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital so he can go trick or treating.

Review: Most of my earliest reviews were written hastily and not to my true liking. Unfortunately, the entire Halloween franchise was lumped into that category. I've wanted to redo the entries over the years, but, goddamnit, I really hate the Rob Zombie remakes with every fiber of my being. Luckily, my hope for the newest entry has allowed me to muster the strength to force myself to re-review the whole series again and to do it the justice it deserves this time around. For my viewing experience I'll be using the newer Blu-ray complete collection which is getting harder to find so pick it up before it's gone! Though, I'll probably still use my DVDs for still shots. Okay, on with this review!

With the original (and true) "Halloween," there isn't much anyone can add to the dialogue. The movie has been studied in film schools for decades, it has been ingrained into pop culture, and it remains one of the most successful indie hits of all time (at one point holding the crown). When people hear the main theme music...they know! "Halloween" perfected the slasher genre and laid the groundwork for the entire '80s boom. Sure, there were others like "Black Christmas" beforehand, but those movies didn't quite establish the masked-killer concept. Michael Myers has become an icon that is easily recognizable 40 years later--a testament to this legendary film and how readily it resonated with audiences in '78 and continues to this day; this is a statement unto itself.

The best shot with Michael "emerging" out the shadows through careful lighting tricks.

What makes "Halloween" work so remarkably well is that Michael appears intimidating, and the constant lurking adds to his presence. Likewise, the town and cast felt relatable as just everyday people dealing with a crazed killer. Speaking of which, the original concept of Michael having no motive made it extra disturbing since he just snapped out of the blue. The opening sequence where Michael kills his sister was actually a huge leap in camerawork as well as the precise editing for when the mask comes off to reveal Michael as a little boy. That was all shocking at the time and is still a great reveal to this day; I mean, if your movie starts off with a big twist like that you are naturally curious to see where it goes next. "Halloween" provides that solid pacing that movies prior to this point lacked and also allows it to hold up when put alongside any of the sequels or current films.

A nice, shadowy outline is all you really need...hence, the Shape.

Now, don't get me wrong, as great as "Halloween" is, it does have it's flaws. For example, the acting at times can definitely be weak especially from the three main girls. This film launched Jamie Lee Curtis' career, however, there are some shaky moments from her. Furthermore, there are weak points in the story structure such as how Michael was able to drive a car. The tiny flaws are easy to overlook when "Halloween" has so much going for it to cancel out those minor gripes. As such, one must remember the tight budget and shooting schedule that can account for the occasional flaw. I also easily overlook the shoddy acting at times when you have the powerhouse skill of Donald Pleasence bringing to life the Dr. Loomis character. Besides having such conviction, we get such powerful lines like:

"I met this 6 year old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and the blackest eyes...the devil's eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him and then another seven trying to keep him locked up, because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...evil."

Or...

"I watched him for fifteen years, sitting in a room, staring at a wall; not seeing the wall, looking past the wall, looking at this night, inhumanly patient, waiting for some secret, silent alarm to trigger him off."

Simply brilliant material and writing from John Carpenter who also launched a tremendous career thanks to the merits of "Halloween." The delivery of these lines is also spot-on and opens up a level of mystery surrounding Michael. Love it.

When we factor in everything, "Halloween" succeeds in almost every regard. We've got incredible and innovative camerawork, editing, and sound--especially in regard to the original score. The pacing
keeps audiences engaged with a constant stream of Michael lurking in the background and some genuine frights. While the acting can sometimes falter, you have the unhinged Dr. Loomis there to pick up the slack. Of course, the story itself is compelling despite its simplicity. You could boil things down to just "a guy in a white mask that stalks babysitters," but "Halloween" gives you enough material to keep you thinking deeper about Michael and whether or not he's even human. Overall, "Halloween" is a classic--a must-see for horror fans and anyone who appreciates the art of film.

Every year I offer alternatives to watch if you've seen this movie a million times...but sometimes you just have to watch it a million and one times!

Notable Moment: The opening sequence is, unquestionably, the best moment in the film and, perhaps, the entirety of the series.

Final Rating: 9/10