HALLOWEEN 2 (Rob Zombie) review by Casey C Corpier

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HALLOWEEN 2

Review by Casey C. Corpier

Ok kiddies, I admit that I had some issues with Rob Zombie's re-imagining of Halloween, and maybe I am getting soft and influenced by my friends. But after the multiple viewings of his movie I have warmed up to it, and actually started to like his take more and more. Yes, I still have my issues with the flick, but I have become friends with so many people involved with it that I started to like it. So I have added a star to my original 2 1/2 star review of the film. That being said, I have just left the screening of Halloween 2, and now it is time to rant.

Taking place right where the first film leaves off and then jumping one year later, Halloween 2 re-introduces us to the characters and where they are now.

Laurie (Scout Taylor-Compton) is dealing with PTS Disorder - suffering from massive nightmares of her fight with her brother, and has now been taken into the Bracket house as one of the family. Annie (Danilelle Harris) has almost become her surrogate mother and Sheriff Brackett (Brad Dourif) has become her surrogate father, as they are all trying to put the events of the previous film behind them.

Dr, Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) has also tried to bury the ghosts in his own way. He has written another book on the subject, but this time he has crossed the line and is beginning a book tour to increase his profits... and has started the tour in, you guessed it, Haddonfield.

Now that brings us to Michael Myers (Tyler Mane). Having recovered from the previous film, Michael has laid low and is living like a hobo just outside of the town and the world that beleves him to be dead. Haunted by visions of what he believes to be the ghost of his mother and the mysterious white horse, he is able to communicate with her by a ghost of himself at a younger age. Michael also has a bizarre psychic link to his sister that echoes Halloween 5 (1989).

All of this comes about again on All Hallows Eve and we get Halloween 2.

As far as the film goes, I actually enjoyed the ride. I did have some issues, aside from that damn white horse. Now I know that I referred to the previous film as the Boogie Man's Rejects, this one I refer to as Halloween the 13th - because there were times that I felt like I was watching the remake of Friday the 13th, meaning that the movie spent too much time in Michael's head and he was too controlled by visions of his mother. Boy would Freud have a field day with that. And sometimes you find yourself wondering just what in the hell is going on. And why do we keep needing to know what is going on his head? HE IS A BLOODY PSYCHOPATH!!!!! We already know that, and that is all we need to know.

Aside from that I thought the story with Dr. Loomis was interesting. He's has written another book, and everyone that he encounters accuses him not only of making a profit off of the blood of Michael's victims, but they are also holding him responsible for the murders in the previous film. There is even a scene where the father of Linda pulls a gun on Loomis and threatens him saying that he killed his daughter. The film leads to a final confrontation with Myers as Loomis' last chance at redemption for his earlier failures.

I also liked the evolution of Sheriff Brackett, who is a character that is never explored in either incarnation of the series. You see a man that has taken on too much for him to handle and all he wants to do is ensure the safety of his daughter, but to also protect Laurie from the ghosts of her mysterious past.

As for Laurie Strode, Scout plays her as I heard said in interviews as almost bi-polar. You see the massive change in her character from the previous film. Now she is a tattooed outcast that suffers from massive panic attacks, and is in her own way as insane as her brother.

As for the fans of the series, I recommend the 3-disc Directors cut of Rob Zombie's Halloween and watching the movie with director's commentary before checking out this flick to really make it more enjoyable for you, as you can see where Zombie is taking you in his vision.

I honestly feel that Rob's passion was not in this flick as much as it was in the last one, as well as House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects... and it shows on screen.

19 Dead Bodies
9 Breasts
5 Beasts
1 Explosion
Antler impaling
Multiple stabbings
Multiple Wall Smashing
Heads Roll
Nurse Fu
Halloween Fu

2 1/2 Stars

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