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Editorials

45 Years Later,“Halloween II” is the Scariest Halloween Movie of the Franchise

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It’s been 45 years since studios practically begged Carpenter for a sequel to his monumentally successful Halloween movie; and an unforgettable one at that. I realize this might be a hot take dubbing Dick Warlock King Myers over his amazing predecessor Nick Castle- but I’ll die on this hill. Warlock scared the ever-loving shit out of me as a kid in this simply fantastic sequel more so than the original.

John Carpenter’s Halloween was everything a perfectly effective horror slasher should look like without the heavy gore effects. The film used tension-building sequences paired with genius camera work and of course, the infamous score by Carpenter himself that practically made the movie what it is today. When Halloween II came around three years later, the film allowed Myers to continue his killing quest but in a much more sinister tone; if that were even possible but hey- here we are. The sequel was Halloween on steroids (by 1981 standards anyway), with both an angrier Myers and soundtrack to accompany him during his “walk”, and it made The Shape that much scarier.

Here me out but first, enjoy the greatest pumpkin intro of the franchise that breaks apart into a grim, grinning skull foreshadowing that is a lot more evil and death was built into this installment so hold onto your kitchen knives ladies-especially YOU Mrs. Elrod!

Now, after Loomis unloads all his bullets into Michael and he simply just walks away from the scene, he slinks into a neighboring home occupied by the Elrods who are winding down from the night with a couple of ham sandwiches and a viewing of Romero’s Night of the Living Dead; or at least they think they are. Michael, in a very ballsey fashion, opens up the back patio door to the kitchen where Mrs. Elrod is preparing her sleepy husband some food, and had her back not been turned, she would have been extra meat for those sandwiches for sure. Myers just grabs the knife sitting on the cutting board and walks out, and Mrs. Elrod lets out a blood-curdling scream that would wake the dead once she sees the missing knife and drips of blood all over the counter. This then grabs the attention of her own neighbor, Alice Martin, who unfortunately doesn’t get away so lucky; and that’s when we see that Myers really isn’t fucking around in the sequel. In the first film, Myers, while it was at random, set his sights on a specific group and stayed the course. Even people getting in his way, by just basically being in his path, didn’t get the slash treatment. Marion Chambers, while he scared her goddamn good, he didn’t kill her. He just needed the car and he very well could have.

Same for little Lonnie- Myers seemed to get off just as well in putting a good fright into his victims while maintaining his kill course targets. BUT, Alice, performing her civic duty upon hearing her elderly neighbors’ screams, got her brutally murdered most viciously and we get our first real jump scare in the sequel. Why? My best-educated horror guess is because she WAS simply in his path and now we know that absolutely NO ONE is safe this time around.

It did its job too. Scared the piss out of me when I first saw it.

Moving on to a now hysterical Loomis who in the first film kept his composure throughout quite well, damn near shoots a kid because he is wearing a similar mask to Michael’s. May as well have anyway since we all know how that scene worked out. The good doctor, throughout the franchise sinks deeper into madness in his fight to stop Michael and, in doing so, endangers those around him. Just look what happened to poor Ben Tramer and then the deputy at the end of the film. The guy was just doing his job-he certainly didn’t ask for this shit.

That’s just terrifying.

Even more horrifying is the scene with the razor blade in the apple. Good LAWD seeing that as a child was traumatizing, almost even more so than Myers on a rampage itself. The lore and urban legends swirling around Halloween night of bastards putting arsenic and razor blades in candy for kids put the fear of GOD into a lot of parents and even some anxious kids as well. Well, in Halloween II they made it real, and it was real disgusting at that. Fairly brilliant writing to add that little extra tidbit in there. Also, full disclosure, for years as a kid, I thought this was an ice cube in the kid’s mouth until my father corrected me; and that totally blew my mind and horrified me. I’m all about transparency here.

Now, aside from a crazy Loomis, laced candy, and an angrier score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth, we have to discuss the biggest sell here as to why Halloween II is much scarier than its predecessor- and that everyone is DICK WARLOCK.

Nick Castle did an absolute bang-up job as The Shape in the original, but it was Warlock’s menacing force of nature that gave Myers a more evil presence. Kind of like what Kane Hodder did for Jason Voorhees, Dick did for Michael and he nailed it as what I think, is the perfect personification of Michael Myers. Many see his moves as robotic in nature, but I think that is precisely what makes The Shape slightly scarier. As stated earlier, Myers is more focused and determined to get the job done this time around sort of like a Terminator. And honestly, would there be anything more terrifying than Michael Myers as a goddamn Terminator?! I think not… The guy walked through a glass door without hesitation without any problem to get to Laurie for fucks’ sake. Just straight through the thing! Or the fact he’s walking down a steep set of stairs without looking at his feet or holding onto anything in that mask that you and I both know is obstructive somewhat in the very least.

That’s just gangster.

Stabbing down at empty pillows, getting his hand almost caught in an elevator door, and his quick- jolt-like movements without using all of his body parts are just nothing short of brilliance on Warlock’s end. Without ever saying a word, a grunt, or even having that heavy breathing as pronounced as it was in the first movie, Warlock managed to give us a more pissed-off Myers and execute it perfectly. I just wish we would have seen more of him in subsequent sequels. But hey, we’ll always have his robotic, malevolent force in Halloween II and Season of the Witch.

Making a good argument for Halloween II being the scariest installment of the Halloween franchise isn’t a hard task, but hey if you disagree , let me know below! Also, if you haven’t already picked up this masterpiece, or have it in your collection, I always prefer the 30th-anniversary edition Blu-Ray from Shout Factory, as it contains the bonus feature of Terror In The Aisles! There are a few third-party sellers, and it’s most definitely worth having a copy of this one in particular.

Now if you know what death is like amazing grace sitting on your face, be sure and get this sequel in during Halloween week!

Games

“Halloween The Game” – Single Player Review!

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We’re living in extraordinary times where our favorite horror titles are making a strong comeback—something we could only have dreamed of not too long ago. For example, did you ever think it would be possible to rampage through Crystal Lake as Jason on a bloodthirsty quest to slash, dismember, and mutilate those stupid enough to come to your lake? Or consider picking up a chainsaw and becoming Leatherface as you chase after unsuspecting hippies around the old homestead? Modern video games make that possible. Fuck’s sake, they even released a game based on Killer Klowns From Outer Space!

It was only a matter of time before the godfather of slashers got his own game, and Halloween is proving to be a massive hit among fans. Like many other horror titles, Halloween has already been a video game before, with kids turning on their Atari 2600 to survive a grueling night when he came home.

With its pixelated gore and a surprisingly impressive rendition of the classic theme that the franchise is known for (I mean, considering it’s on Atari!), it’s not a bad attempt—unlike Ghostbusters on the NES. However, it is really limited, much like many other horror titles from that era. Thankfully, those days seem to be behind us now.

Now, imagine actually running around Haddonfield on October 31st, as you and your friends try to warn the townsfolk about the horrors of the Boogeyman.

Or picture yourself picking up the knife and stalking your prey, ending one life after another in beautifully gruesome ways most befitting the horrors of the season.

The Night He Came Home

Michael Myers has already been introduced in DBD, allowing players to step into the shoes of The Shape. However, what Gun and Illfonic offer fans now is a different experience altogether. In this game, you don’t just play as The Shape; you truly become him. They immerse players right into the heart of the movie, similar to their previous titles.  

You will roam the dimly lit streets of sleepy Haddonfield, a town that many of us recognize from countless movie rewatches. In a way, it feels like a strange homecoming, as if we’re returning alongside Michael. However, this time, instead of just spectating, you spend your time breaking into people’s homes, where the real excitement begins. Before choosing your preferred method of killing, you have the option to take your time, utilizing your stalking ability, which secures Michael several advantageous kills. In my opinion, definitely worth it.

Once you choose your method of murder—whether you prefer a classic stabby-stab-kill or an environmental one—you’re free to unleash your creativity. A couple of memorable moments for me include using a kitchen stove (I smell bacon!) and a grandfather clock! I got overly excited when I realized the clock was even an option. The kills are both creative and cruel. Or if you prefer to explore Michael’s softer side, you can just hug someone to death.

In single-player mode, you play as Michael and track his steps from the moment he escapes Smith Grove’s mental institution. As The Shape, Michael has no face, meaning until you fetch the iconic mask, his face is blurred out, and this is how you start out. You’re walking around barefoot in nothing but a hospital gown, and thanks to an orderly stabbing you with a sedative, you don’t have your full capacity of powers yet. This allows the player a chance to learn all of Michael’s abilities gradually and also proves what an unstoppable force The Shape really is. The guy is drugged and still manages to kill anyone in his path!

With only a paper-thin gown as shielding and his bare hands, Michael kills the guards and orderlies in whatever order you so choose. You’re in command here, so as The Shape, this is your party. You’re rewarded for not letting a single victim escape and also for not being detected. You’re also given points for creative kills, so go hard on them.

The iconic (feel like I’m saying that a lot here) opening of the movie plays out as Dr. Loomis pulls up to the front gate and you’re tasked with taking the car and getting the fuck out of dodge. Right away we’re deep into John Carpenter’s classic lore, and this was all just the prologue.

You soon find yourself rampaging through the Rabbit in Red nightclub, with only a broken bottle as a weapon while they all have a meat cleaver, knives, and one bitch pulls out a gun. That’s ok though because in minutes Michael’s slaughtering everyone inside. Oh, that little shit who thinks he gets away, just you wait. Just you wait. Thinks he’s so badass on his bike. I wonder if that motorcycle of his will come in handy later on? Hmmm.

Afterward, you hunt down the car mechanic next door and don his jumpsuit. The Shape is nearly complete. This leads us to the outskirts of Haddonfield, where you pick up the mask from a convenience store. You then get to dispose of the silly clerk (in a very nasty way if you like) and continue carving your legacy into the face of your hometown.

As you progress, keep an eye out for Loomis tapes, which are reminiscent of the Pamela and Tommy tapes from Friday the 13th. These tapes expand on the lore and provide bonuses if you aim to achieve 100% completion. You can also revisit missions and butcher up the same assholes in whole new ways!  

However, I encountered a stupid-ass glitch where characters spawned on rooftops, appearing terrified but unable to move. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get up there to teach them a lesson. But remember how Jason could throw knives at his victims? Well, Michael can pick up lawn darts, which are great to have on hand to remind those rooftop cheaters who’s really in charge!

Many elements in this game will evoke nostalgia. As Michael, you’ll return home and replay the events of that fateful night when you were just a child, and your sister was upstairs, being all killable. She’s practically asking for it!

This is where the game truly shines. You get to experience some key moments from the film, but it’s important to note that you won’t relive every scene. You won’t be stalking babysitters during the day, standing outside Laurie’s classroom, or encountering Tommy. It’s not a frame-by-frame remake sort of deal. Instead, you’ll rampage through the town after sunset, adding your own bloody touch to the legacy, and there’s no one safe from you.

Also, as a fun fact, a lot of residents are watching TV in the safety of their living room when you make your way in. I took a moment to see what was on the old boob tube, and it was Nosferatu! I was impressed. If only it had been The Thing, right?

I’m trying to be as spoiler-free as possible, but do you get to hunt down some babysitters and reenact the terrible events of that Halloween night? Oh, I don’t know. Nods

Keep in mind that this is all from the single-player mode, and I haven’t even begun to explore the online matches. However, I’ve already jumped back into missions multiple times to relive the macabre moments we all love. For me, that alone was worth the cost of the game.  I’m also curious about what additions might come later.

Will there be sequel material later added similar to what we saw with Friday the 13th? Will we get new maps and additional characters? That being said,

Jaimie?

This idea would be intriguing, but I’m not sure how they could make it work considering she was just a little kid. People would shit out of their noses if Michael chased down and killed a child. However, I would love to see Jaimie Lloyd as a playable character.

Perhaps she could be an adult by now; I don’t think fans would mind, especially since many enjoyed Part 4, one of the most beloved horror sequels of all time. Just give us the damn clown girl! Try out an alternate timeline too where she’s the killer. Switch things up, and fans would love it.

The game just released, and I believe the potential is limitless. However, It’s well-known how Gunn and Illfonic were unable to complete everything they planned for the massively successful Friday the 13th game (due to that stupid lawsuit), which left many fans frustrated. We never got Uber Jason or the space station map. There were even rumors of Freddy being added to the game, allowing us a Freddy vs. Jason scenario which would’ve been superior to the fucking movie. Fans got screwed over!

Additionally, fans were disappointed to learn that Texas Chainsaw Massacre would not be receiving further attention. Because of this, many people are hesitant to invest their time and enthusiasm into their newest game, Halloween, and I can’t blame them. Piss on shit; I didn’t intend to buy this game for those very reasons. I took my chance though and, as you can tell, I’m a pretty happy camper.

The bottom line is the game’s already enjoyable and offers a lot for fans to appreciate. It’s had a good opening week and is proving to be strong despite the bugs and weird glitches we’ve been dealing with (damn rooftop cheaters). Patches have been rolling out to fix issues…and take away the sex players could have. If Sims can woohoo, why can’t there be woohooing in a horror game? So the game isn’t perfect, but still a lot of fun.

Besides, what better time to explore the shadows of Haddonfield than now, as we approach Halloween?

Now, when are we getting, oh I don’t know, the A Nightmare On Elm Street game?

Manic out!

Editorials

IN DEFENSE OF ‘HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION”

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Busta Rhymes crashes through a garage door like the fuckin’ Kool-Aid Man, drops a “trick or treat…mothafucka” on Michael Audrey Myers, and people openly hate on this film.

Read that again.

We adore THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984) and there are legions of fans who, when asked to share their favorite iteration of FRIDAY THE 13TH, respond JASON TAKES MANHATTAN (1989) with a straight face. But hey, no judgment here–I love CHOPPING MALL (1986) and NIGHTBEAST (1982)–I’m merely highlighting the fact that proclivities stretch far and wide.

MST3K crowd aside, no fandom appreciates bad cinema quite like horror audiences. Joe Bob Briggs has made a career out of making garbage appear gourmet, so rather than condemning a HALLOWEEN (1978) sequel that, by no metric, could be held to the blinding light of the OG, I choose to walk the path of Napoleon Wilson.

The HALLOWEEN franchise is part of the John Carpenter universe so it only makes sense that perhaps his greatest character (I said what I said) should weigh in here. One of Darwin Joston’s go-to phrases as Wilson in ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976) was, “I have moments.”

Rather than ridiculing and rolling my eyes, I choose to focus on what I enjoy about a film–even a bad one. I concentrate on moments. And HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (2002) has moments.

Asking you to look past the unceremonious way this movie dispatched of one of, if not the horror heroine of all-time, is a heavy lift–but I’m asking–because it’s the only way we can move forward.

To begin, is HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION well written? The short answer is no–but it has moments.

The long, slow push down the asylum corridor to Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) room with Curtis’ voice over presenting the idea that eventually we all come to a door, the other side of which holds either heaven or hell. Curtis’ fearful delivery of “this is that door” to wrap the film’s open had me all-in and provided sustenance while events unfolded that I was less than fond of.

Let’s jump ahead to Jen (Katee Sachoff) sitting with Sara (Biana Kajlich) in the latter’s dorm room debating whether to partake in Dangertainment’s live stream from the Myers house–in 2002. RESURRECTION dove headlong into a new medium, and it was a fabulous idea. That they didn’t stick the landing doesn’t mean the messy journey wasn’t worth taking. Sara and Jen are interrupted by a fellow student (Haig Sutherland) who warns against them going through with it, touching on how little Mikey played in the bedrooms and hid in the closets of the Myers house before leaning in for the win: “then one day he picked up a knife…and he never put it down again.” The cut capturing the chill running down Sara’s spine was money, only to be almost immediately negated by the creeper semi-screaming before Jen escorted him out the door. A fabulous moment rendered mute by a poor editing decision. Should have let the moment linger, Rick Rosenthal. But that line, that moment, is what I take from that scene because it resonates more than two decades later.

And how can we forget Jim’s (Luke Kirby) epic video introduction to the internet audience?

“You don’t have to go far to find Michael Myers. He is the great white shark of our unconscious. He is the dark-eyed child of our spirits. He’s every murderous impulse we’ve ever had. He’s the little voice that whispers to us to strangle the old lady taking too long at the checkout counter. Get to know him, baby–he’s you.”

Pound-for-pound, the writing for HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION struggles–plenty of odd or flat-out poor choices–but it also possessed moments of brilliance that cannot be denied. “This is that door” and Jim’s diatribe among them.

Hell, before shit popped off at the Boogeyman’s abode, we got one of the best laughs of the franchise. With the crew setting up for the event, Nora (Tyra Banks) harrassed Charley (Brad Sihvon) because he wouldn’t just find a shot and move on. Charley shot back that elevated and low camera angles were scary, while medium shots were boring. Nora sarcastically responded that he must have learned that shooting all his weddings and bar mitzvahs. Charley jumped back in front of the camera and dropped hilarity: “Hey, I went to Long Beach State. Same as Spielberg.”

Moments.

By now, I’m sure you’re asking why I haven’t so much as teased a syllable about Busta Rhymes since the opening paragraph. And the answer is simple: ace in the hole.

If you can’t find joy in any other aspect of HALLOWEEN’s seventh sequel, I think we can all agree that Busta is magic. Even an ardent RESURRECTION apologist like me will readily admit that if you took Mr. Rhymes out of the equation this article would not exist. But Busta was in RESURRECTION and the world is better for it.

“Let the Dangertainment begin out this mothafu…”, donning the Shatner and baggy-ass overalls, creating Wok Cheun Lee because he could, then going Wok Cheun Lee on The Shape sounding like this-Bruce-Lee-goes-to-11 are 24-karat slices of fried gold that I dare you to dog and believe it.

Look, HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION is not a good movie. We are most certainly on the same page there. But at the same time, it has moments–ample ones in my humble opinion–and does not deserve its almost universal reputation of putrescence.

The owner of this site laughs at the “weird boner” I have for this picture, but that’s where it stays. I dig it, she does not. We laugh about it.

That’s all there is to it, folks. Whether it’s HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION or some other divisive movie–we can choose to see, or at the very least, accept what others love about them, or simply agree to disagree with a smile and go about our day.

If you’ve made it this far, maybe you’ll elect to give Dangertainment’s moments another shot with fresh eyes. Or not. No worries either way. No one is the keeper of horror fandom or authority on taste–least of all me. I hope you dig whatever you choose to press play on. But I’ll be watching HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION again. And again. And enjoying it for both of us.