Review of Halloween (2018) by James D — 20 Oct 2018

The sequel to John Carpenter's classic is a return to form bringing in a nostalgic feel in it's storytelling, setup and tension without ripping off the original like modern remakes or sequels today.

Not overly gratuitous in its violence this film feels accessible to those not looking for over the top gruesomeness but instead doubles down with increased tension, anticipation, and rawness of its kills.

Jaime Lee Curtis plays her part perfectly, as a strong willed heroine, devoted to protecting her family, and hardened by the traumatizing experiences of her past. Although the movie was enjoyable, it was also balanced in its disappointment.

Despite the film being rated R, the kills were mostly bland, usually taking place off screen while others simply tail ending carefully constructed tension and anticipation with a lackluster stab or neck snap.

I feel that the movie's R rating was wasted and completely unnecessary and with very few modifications could have been a more widely accessible PG-13. Several of the characters, including Jamie Lee Curtis' character make clumsy usually disastrous decisions that go completely against character arc and development with some very confusingly nonsensical and out of no where twists.

It is a sad fact to say that the only creativity of the kills didn't come from the kills themselves, instead from the display of the bodies afterwords which sums up the film as a whole, it's a mostly bland movie, with some very creative concepts; but a lot wasted opportunities and potential.