Halloween
(spoiler-free movie review)
The original Halloween is a classic of horror cinema for good reason. Director John Carpenter crafted a suspenseful(and genuinely scary) slasher with a shoestring budget and an inexperienced crew. With the 1978 release of Halloween he managed to create the genesis of a franchise, that endures to this day, and a supernatural boogeyman that has become an icon of horror throughout the world.
Michael Myers is so effective at terrifying audiences because of his lack of motivation. He is the pure embodiment of evil and he kills for the sake of killing, without hesitation or reason. Combine that with a creepy mask, and an unsettling performance from actor Nick Castle, and you have the recipe for one of the most infamous antagonist within the slasher genre.
A good villain is twice as effective when you have a character to cheer for. Luckily Halloween introduced the world to Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis is the perfect counterbalance to Myers and her portrayal of Laurie Strode is natural and completely believable. Her connection to this franchise endures to this day and she is central to the events of the recent films Halloween(2018) and Halloween Kills.
“…the pure embodiment of evil and he kills for the sake of killing, without hesitation or reason.”
It’s impossible to talk about the original Halloween without talking about the score by John Carpenter. It’s one of the most efficient and potent movie soundtracks within the horror genre. The simple repeating notes from the main theme plays an instrumental role in the movies atmosphere. It lulls you into a trance and complements the long sweeping Panaglide shots that Carpenter and cinematographer Dean Cundey utilized during filming.
Halloween is not a perfect film but it is close. Against all odds this movie succeeded and created a lasting legacy. It cemented John Carpenter as a prominent Director, it helped serve as a stepping stone for Jamie Lee Curtis and it introduced the world to Michael Myers.
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
– coe33 (social links below)
- Media Format: Shout Factory 4K Blu-ray Collector’s Edition
- Setup: Vizio 70″ 4K V-Series(V705-H) Television, JBL 9.1 Doby Atmos Soundbar with Subwoofer, Sony UPB-X700 UHD Blu-ray Player
- Question: Which Halloween movie is your favorite? Cast your vote on the poll below!
Transparency is important in entertainment journalism! Media Scroll strives to deliver original content in an ethical pro-consumer environment. Below are important stats about this review and website.
- This review has not been influenced by any other parties and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
- The photos used in this review are all original screenshots captured by Media Scroll.
- IMBD was referenced for dates and correct spelling of actors names.
- This website monetizes through sparring use of non-obtrusive ads and Amazon Affiliate links which are always well-defined and clearly marked. Use of these links helps support our goal of growing The Media Scroll and paying authors/contributors for original content. Thank you.
Time Bandits
(spoiler-free movie review) A whimsical exploration of time and space with a satirical edge. Director Terry Gillian kicks off his “Imagination Trilogy” with the 1981 genre-bending Time Bandits. The film follows the adventures of Kevin (Craig Warnock), as he travels through time with a group of treasure stealing bandits. Joining Kevin on his journey is…
Ambulance and Edge of Tomorrow on 4k Blu-ray
(physical media spotlight) Two new movies just became available for pre-order on Amazon. Both titles are getting 4k physical releases! Scroll below to view descriptions and specifications for each new release along with Amazon links to purchase/pre-order the movies. Ambulance / Available December 31st, 2022 Movie Description In this action thriller directed by Michael Bay,…
The Deer Hunter
(spoiler-free movie review) An emotionally impactful movie with powerhouse performances and superb directing. Director Michael Cimino lovingly crafted a three-hour masterpiece that is amongst the most engrossing dramas ever captured on film. The Deer Hunter received a limited release in 1978 in an attempt to secure Oscar nominations, an effort that paid off as it…
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Follow coe33 on Letterboxd – The Social Network for Film Discovery
Categories
The Media Scroll 