Halloween II
Halloween II is the second film in the popular Halloween series of films. This sequel picks up where Halloween 1 left off, and follows the exploits of Michael Myers. However, this sequel is part of a separate timeline. Rather than simply rehashing the events of the original movie, Halloween II explores a number of new themes. The Halloween franchise has stood the test of time, with a string of sequels and spinoffs that continue to garner a large fan following.
Halloween II is a slasher film, so it naturally features more gore than your average horror flick. Michael Myers is also a bit more sinister in this sequel. He is not just a slasher, he’s a maniac. As a result, he kills more people than his first outing. And the slashing is also a lot more graphic.
One of the most important things that Halloween 2 does is introduce us to Michael Myers’ true identity. In this sequel, we learn that Michael is a descendant of “The Shape”, the legendary monster that terrorized audiences in the original movie. His mask is also a big deal, and has its own talisman.
Another notable moment in Halloween II is when Michael attacks Alice Martin. While Alice was only in the movie for a minute, she still received a good scare. Also, it’s not uncommon for slasher films to include a number of random deaths, which is a good thing in this case.
It’s not as easy to say what Halloween II does better than the other movies in the franchise. Regardless, Halloween II is a film that has earned its place in the history of slasher fiction. With Michael Myers’ maniacal obsession, Halloween II is a film that redefines the Halloween aesthetic. Rather than focusing on just killing, Halloween II focuses on the psyche of both Michael and Laurie. Ultimately, this gives the film its most effective moments, and sets the stage for the Halloween that follows.
Compared to the original, Michael’s mask has been replaced with a more distorted version. Moreover, the mask itself has a more interesting shape. For example, instead of a simple black and white face, it features a blood-soaked latex mask.
Another big gimmick of Halloween II is the jack-o-lantern, which opens up to reveal a human skull. Although the mask may not have been a real skull, it’s definitely a cool way to elicit the scariest moment of the movie.
Of course, no slasher film is complete without an insanely shocking death. But what’s the best way to pull off that one? Perhaps with a Halloween H20: 20 Years Later sequel? Or a Halloween IV? If you’re not convinced, consider that David Gordon Green’s Halloween helps recreate John Carpenter’s original universe, and it’s a film that has earned Jamie Lee Curtis’s seal of approval.
Despite the controversies, the Halloween franchise continues to entertain fans. Whether it’s the t-shirts, the original movie’s infamous score, or the countless slasher movies, the Halloween franchise has always had a huge following.
Halloween Kills
If you’re a fan of the Halloween franchise, you probably know how Michael Myers is a beloved character. As a slasher, he’s been the face of horror for generations, and has played an important role in the saga. In the sequels, Michael has gone on the hunt to kill more teenagers. However, he’s still immortal, so he’s not just a flesh and blood slasher.
The upcoming film, Halloween Kills, is the second installment of director David Gordon Green’s “Halloween” trilogy. It’s a direct follow-up to the 2018 movie, and a return to the core of the Halloween mythology. Unlike most Hollywood sequels, which recycle narrative beats from predecessors, this one tries to tell a new story with a fresh perspective.
This is an attempt to revitalize a dormant film franchise. But, with a little help from Michael, it’s likely to fail. Whether it succeeds depends on how well the filmmakers manage to craft a new generation of the classic.
While Halloween Kills does have some nostalgic callbacks, it isn’t a retelling of the events that occurred in the 1978 original. At least not in the way fans might expect. Instead, the movie introduces several new characters and repositions some of the returning ones as mentors.
Another major difference between Halloween Kills and the 1978 original is the lack of a mummy. In the latter, Michael’s face was uncovered for a split second. Here, he doesn’t have a mask, but the face is visible. That means Michael isn’t the ridiculous Jason Voorhees-type grotesque creature, but rather an ordinary human with a disfigured face.
Despite this, the ending of Halloween Kills is controversial. A number of people feel that it is a wasted opportunity to introduce Laurie Strode to the audience, a character who’s been preparing for the boogeyman’s demise for decades. Some also feel that the film doesn’t explain why Michael isn’t dead. Others wonder whether the character is still immortal.
The film also features a very early flashback to the events of 1978. While most of the film takes place in 2021, the movie does make use of archive footage from the original film. Interestingly, Halloween II (the 1981 sequel to the original) isn’t included in the film’s canon.
Even the official novelisation states that the parents of Michael were “simply gone.” Although this isn’t technically a deleted scene, it is an alternate ending, and does not count.
Unlike the other two movies in the series, Halloween Kills attempts to avoid making Michael a supernatural villain. And while it’s true that Michael can be seen without his mask, his face is clearly disfigured. When Michael’s mask is removed, his face is more like a monster than a human.
It’s difficult to watch Halloween Kills, and not want to know how the story ends. But the film’s conclusion is confusing, and it’s unclear whether Michael Myers is truly immortal or if his story is over. There’s also the matter of the film’s climax, which is a violent takedown of the protagonist.
