On Wednesday the 3rd of October, KJS, Banxy, Chris Scott and myself made our way to the local cinema to watch the latest release in the Halloween Series - Halloween 9.
I am a massive fan of the Halloween films and am such a nerd that I even own uncut versions and unreleased versions of the films. I was going to type this review up straight after watching the film, but I decided against it and gave myself a little longer to reflect on what I had seen. However, now I am ready and below is my review.
I must start by saying Halloween 9 contains a lot more nudity and sexual inuendo than John Carpenter's 1978 original, I was however shocked to discover the identity of the Female cheerleader who bares all during one scene. For those fans of the series this part is played by Danielle Harris, the actress who played Jamie in Parts 4 and 5 - you remember, the little 11 year old girl who Michael was stalking?? Well boy has she grown up, although it is a tad disturbing now I know her identity.
Danielle Harris (Naked cheerleader, formerly Little Jamie) |
Anyway on with the review...
Rob Zombie attempts to retell this story from Michael's perspective. There are a number of immediate changes from the original film. We learn that Michael comes from a broken family and no doubt an abused background. In the original we are led to believe he is from a middle-class upbringing. This change in direction gives the audience a greater insight into the reason for Michael's changing attitude; we also hear him describe himself as Ugly - something never touched on in the early films.
Young Michael |
The insight into Michael's youth is a nice touch by Zombie and helps build up the character and also provides a reason for the killings at the beginning of the film. In this early section Michael makes 4 killings as opposed to the 1 in the 1978 version. |
Then comes the most important section of the film - the relationship between Michael and Dr Loomis. In the 1978 version, and subsequent follow ups, we only ever hear Loomis describe the Dr/Patient relationship - in this version we see it unfolding. Michael seems to trust Loomis as he is there for him and is trying to understand him - in one scene Loomis describes Michael as "his best friend". However, after many years of silence Loomis gives up on his patient and it is at this point that Michael seems to become an obsessed killer with no motive or feelings.
Dr Loomis (Malcolm McDowell)
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This part of the film disappointed me - Zombie cannot seem to decide how to portray Michael. Does he do it as a crazy killer with no motives? Or someone with feelings who has a psychotic side? |
As the film progresses you tend to think a crazy killer as Michael picks off the Haddonfield residents one by one. However, in this version (unlike the original) Zombie allows the audience to understand why Michael has come back home - for his Sister!
In Carpenter's films, it is not until the 2nd installment that we are told Laurie Strode is Michael's younger sister and the only remaining part of his family. However, Zombie lets us into this fact during the middle of this film. This causes the most confusion and gives the audience an indication that Zombie was unsure of how to end this film. There is one scene towards the end where Michael corners Laurie and instead of finishing her off, he attempts to communicate with her. Michael shows her a picture of him and her as children and genuinely appears to be showing affection and is certainly not attempting to hurt her. However, as Laurie is unaware of her family tree she takes this opportunity to stab Michael and make a run for it.
After this we get 20 minutes of Michael hunting her down, as well as a scene where he kills Dr Loomis (totally unecessary in my opinion and far removed from the original). In the end Michael and Laurie fall through a window and she is left on top of him holding a gun to his head. Michael attempts to push the gun away but the film ends with Laurie apparently shooting him in the head.
I am not sure if we are to read too much into the end - did she kill him? Well, as seen from previous Halloween movies Michael has withstood more punishment than a bullet to the brain. However, one thing is for sure, it was good that Zombie chose a different ending from the 1978 version, although it was disappointing that he could not decide on how to portray Michael's character.
All in all a decent remake, with a strong first half and disappointing second.
