LoginJohn Carpenter's 1978 'Halloween' is wholly deserving of its status as a horror classic. To this day it's still one of the freakiest films personally seen and introduced the world to one of horror's most iconic villainous characters Michael Myers.
Which is why it is such a shame that not only are all of the sequels nowhere near as good but that the decline in quality is so drastic. Ok, the original 'Halloween' is very difficult to follow on from, but most of the sequels could at least looked like effort was made into them. 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' may still be no great shakes but actually is one of the better and more watchable 'Halloween' sequels, better than the previous two sequels and much better than most of the ones that were to follow.
Lets start with what is good first. Donald Pleasance and Danielle Harris are very good, particularly Pleasance, who is just as creepy and deranged as Michael Myers himself. Ellie Cornell is sweet without being too much so and doesn't overdo it too much.
A few of the deaths are unsettling, especially the first one, and the settings and the music score are suitably eerie. Things are taken more seriously than the previous two sequels and it's not as stupid or illogical while the characters are nowhere near as annoying as before. Praise is given for returning back to its roots somewhat and it feels more of a 'Halloween' film than 'Season of the Witch' which tried to do something different but failed.
However, 'Halloween 4' has its issues. Pleasance, Harris and Cornell aside, the acting really isn't worth mentioning, something that was expected but even by 'Halloween' sequel standards it was really terrible. The less said about the even worse script the better, was not expecting much from the dialogue in the first place but again by the sequel standards the cringe factor was high. The characters may not be as annoying here but they are incredibly dull.
Praise is to be given for returning back to its roots, as said, but like the second film it is too much of a bland retread with very little, if anything new, with scares, chills and suspense seriously lacking and most of the deaths having little imagination or the shock factor. The ending didn't feel that well rounded off, some of the film is sluggishly paced and directed (but not as inept as in 'Season of the Witch') and the cinematography on the most part is too dark.
In conclusion, watchable if no great shakes. 5/10 Bethany Cox
The watchable return of Michael Myers
Posted : 2 years, 1 month ago on 2 March 2022 06:52
0 comments, Reply to this entry
RUN AWAY GYPSY!
Posted : 13 years, 6 months ago on 28 October 2010 03:42
I'm not a big "slasher" fan, but these are some of the creepiest movies out there. I like the plot for 4 and 5 of Halloween. It's not what you would expect, at least I didn't. These film started or at least started the trend of the cliche "why the heck are you walking into that room by yourself!". I always scream that when watching these haha THEY HAVE IT COMING haha. Whenever Michael Myers sits up AHHHHHH freaks me out.
Dislikes: I find it dumb that he keeps returning but that's "the point" I guess, either way decent films.
Rating: 7.2/10
Dislikes: I find it dumb that he keeps returning but that's "the point" I guess, either way decent films.
Rating: 7.2/10
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Halloween 4
Posted : 16 years, 5 months ago on 29 November 2007 06:12
How can you not love the Halloween series? It ay be fading out with originality but what do you expect from a man that never dies?
0 comments, Reply to this entry