There’s something special about John Carpenter’s “Halloween”. Yes, the soundtrack might play a crucial role in it, but it’s the premise that never stops being so captivating no matter how many versions we may end up getting. The eleventh installment takes the original route and takes a trip from the original date of Mike Myers’ killing, if to be precise, the Haddonfield murders in 1978, Laurie Strode’s denial of getting killed by him and forty years later, when the two must decide once and for all who is the biggest winner of the Halloween night – to defeat or to get defeated.
“Halloween” follows Laurie Strode, the survivor of Michael Myers’ terror who patiently awaits her attacker to put a logical ending into their long and unpleasant relationship. Her patience is getting rewarded after the bus transfer goes wrong leaving Myers on the loose. As the Halloween night approaches quickly, both Laurie and Michael are getting closer to finally look at each other’s eyes for the very last time during the showdown night that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
The film opens with two journalists and podcasters, Aaron Korey and Dana Haines, travelling to Smith’s Grove Sanitarium hoping to interview Michael Myers. Doctor Ranbir Sartain, Michael’s new psychiatrist informs the two that the man won’t talk to them, not because he cannot but because he chose not to. Aaron makes a bold attempt hoping that Myers might start speaking after seeing his mask or hearing the name that might irritate his ears, Laurie Strode, but remains silent as if everything he would say could have been used against him.
Aaron and Dana did not realize how dangerous the man is but will soon get their chance at the gas station where it will be their last ever before losing their lives. In the meantime, we learn about Laurie Strode’s life, her obsession with Michael and the moment she expects to finally kill him. Her daughter, Karen (Judy Greer) was taken away from Laurie when she was twelve because of the circumstances surrounded by the big preparation of Laurie for the night that could or never come.
Laurie also manages to develop a close relationship with her granddaughter, Allyson (Andi Matichak), despite having a very tense one with her own child. However, all three women from three different generations have one thing in common – it is not that easy to hunt them down. And if they are determined to fight back, even someone like Michael Myers must watch his back. While it’s easier said than done, “Halloween” brings back that delicious suspense where there’s no way to know how things will end, because as you know, evil always prevails and this genre is always proof of that. And when someone like Myers carries his best accessories, knife and mast, who can argue with that?
“I am always curious what pleasure he gets out of killings,” says Dr. Sartain, who has, I guess, a different level of madness and obsession which could have disqualified him as a psychiatrist. But by looking at him, no wonder many think that psychiatrists aren’t too different from the patients they treat.
“Halloween” contains so much fun scenes to enjoy. While the killing parts are not that pleasant to follow, it keeps its mark by not disappointing those who prefer gruesome scenes over something light and innocent. The ending is the best you will probably ever get, turning “Halloween” into one of the most entertaining sequels ever made. In the world of franchisees, “Halloween” is still the King and seems to have no intention of giving up that title. And honestly speaking, no one in the right mind would ever expect “Halloween” doing that.
In conclusion, there are a few gaps in the screenplay. But the overall atmosphere, emotionally charged horror scenes, the soundtrack and the movie itself erases anything that you might find missing or untold. And the part when Jamie Lee Curtis says that she prayed every night that Michael Myers would escape so she could kill him is the notable moment where you, as a dedicated fan or just a horror lover would know, anyone who looks so ready for the final fight will never let down. And Laurie never does. Michael Myers never stops chasing her. And if it’s not a creepy love story, then what it is, you might ask? But as you know, the cinematic world has its sense of humor, its way of unfolding the relationship, and the duo of Michael/Laurie is that little cherry that should be put on top of the sweetest cake.