Halloween

release year: 2007
genre: horror
viewing setting: theater, 8/31/07

synopsis: In this remake of the 1978 classic, we get a long look at the childhood of Michael Myers, before the adult version breaks out of his hospital and goes on a killing spree.

impressions: Good remake/reimagining. Two main differences between this and the original: 1) a significant amount of background story and childhood is developed here, showing much about how this psychopath was formed, 2) this Michael Myers is very direct and physical. Why stalk prey when you can simply break through doors and walls? At 6'8", this incarnation of Myers is more believable with respect to his immense strength and resistance to damage. Two gripes: 1) fast camera work = difficulty understanding what's going on sometimes, 2) ambiguous ending (I can't explain without spoiling things for you.)

body count: 21 victims total (a significant departure from the 4 victims of the original.)

something this movie has that no other movie has: A corpse with a big pumpkin smashed over his head.

acting: Tyler Mane does a good job as the masked killer, providing a hulking presence that moves in creepy ways. Daeg Faerch is the child version of Myers, and mostly looks like a plump little geek until he loses his mind, at which point he's just creepy. Malcolm McDowell is his doctor, who may be the only one who understands what's going on. Scout Taylor-Compton is main victim Laurie Strode. Danielle Harris and Kristina Klebe are Laurie's ill-fated friends. Brad Dourif is the town's sheriff. There are smaller roles for veteran actors William Forsythe, Danny Trejo, Ken Foree, Richard Lynch, Sybil Dannng, Dee Wallace, Udo Kier, and Sid Haig.

final word: Good remake, worth seeing.

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