Halloween 2 (Rob Zombie)

[Matthew T.]

I only watched this film once, back when it first hit DVD, and after I watched the movie I wrote up the semi-scathing review that's still up on the Blood Theatre: http://thebloodtheatre.com/?p=112

But today, as I was working on the site, I put it on in the background because I was curious to see if it was as bad as I remember it being, and if I would still dislike it as much. And the short answer is... yes, I still dislike it. What I do admire about it, however, is how savage and raw the killings are. Rob Zombie just knows how to make on-screen violence almost physically resonate in the viewer. However, it was just too bizarre and unfocused to really feel like a "Halloween" movie.

The fact that Loomis is portrayed as such a jackass; that Michael's mother returns in a trippy Mrs. Voorhees-esque fashion; that we see Michael Myers frequently without the mask on; that reality itself is distorted in some scenes... it's all too weird for me. Furthermore, what I love about Michael Myers is that, aside from being physically shaped like a human being, he is essentially an empty vessel: a cold, methodical, unfeeling killer. When Rob Zombie has Michael Myers grunt in effort as he's performing a brutal kill really ruins the idea of Myers being a "boogeyman" to me. If he is too human, he's no longer scary, and the brutal violence isn't enough to maintain the tension in the film.

Anyways, thoughts?

[J-Rod]

The fact that I haven't seen Zombie's II aside...

I agree with you on the "empty vessel" bit. Michael Myers should be like a kid from the Victorian age: seen and not heard. Even then, he shouldn't be unmasked. Ever. Kills the illusion for me.

Pinhead notwithstanding, the reason Myers stays as my favourite psycho killer is because of how 'grounded' and realistic his films have stayed. They avoid the camp of later Jason films, and aren't even in the same league as Freddy. Although based on what you've said, Zombie's II might be the exception?

-J-

[Uncle Squid]

I enjoyed Halloween. And I enjoyed the sequel to an extent. I did not enjoy the forced mythology with Michael's mother and the white horse symbolism. The kills, effects, lighting, and make up were excellent though.

[Matthew T.]

Oh, I agree there: Rob Zombie is a guy who consistently puts out (visually) a solid product. HALLOWEEN 2 was shot extremely well, and while I too didn't like the extra mythology (mostly because it reminded me of FRIDAY THE 13TH so much) I still won't argue that the film doesn't look extremely good.

But yesterday, as I was watching the original HALLOWEEN 2, I think the scene that really sums up Michael Myers for me is when he's forcing the nurse's face into the scalding water, and in doing so is also plunging his own arm, unflinchingly, into the boiling tank. It's graphic, but subtle at the same time. It's what Michael Myers is: unstoppable evil in a human shape. That's the Michael Myers I'll always love!

...in a purely hetero way, of course.   

[CK88]

H2 is horrendous. The final act is bizarre and out of place, the 20 minute dream sequence is too long and boring and of course he just has to continue putting his wife in his films. I thought his take on Halloween was interesting and a nice addition to the horror remake list, especially since it wasn't produced by Platinum Dunes. Then this mess came around.

The biggest problem is that it was too much a Rob Zombie film. It felt like it belongs with House of 1,000 Corpses instead of Halloween. His best flick is still The Devil's Rejects and I don't think he'll top that.

3/10