At 'Dem Flicks w\ Malcolm - Halloween II

As long as we recognize Lucas is washed up and most TV sucks, we'll all get along fine.
Post Reply
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Post by Malcolm »

I'm just far too lazy to post full-length reviews much anymore. Also, the next 20ish films in the 'Flix queue probably aren't worth much of a review.

Anyhoo, Halloween II picks up right after the first one left off; hell, there's even a bit o' overlap. Jamie Lee Curtis has almost no chance to do any acting & the stunt dude playing Michael Myers doesn't do as good a job as Nick Castle did in the first film. Donald Pleasance turns in a solid performance as Dr. Loomis. The setting is a (horribly understaffed) hosptial. Carpenter turned down directing responsibilities for this one, but he still wrote & produced it. You can start to see Moustapha Akkad fucking around w\ the story, too. Either Carpenter's screenwriting ability changed w\ the rising & setting of the sun or someone in a suit was giving him orders. The supporting cast has a cumulative IQ of 7. By the end of the film, Dr. Loomis & Laurie seem to be of suspect intelligence as well. Myers start off as frighteningly intelligent & gradually progresses to being a fucking idiot.

All things considered, this isn't a complete waste of time. It's still better than 99.9% of the horror sequels made today & is the best in the Halloween series. I'm not entirely sure John wanted this to be made, but if I was a relatively new director in the '80s getting cash shoved my way, I probably'd've said yes as well.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Leisher
Site Admin
Posts: 71810
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 9:17 pm
Contact:

Post by Leisher »

Agree.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Selby
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:26 am

Post by Selby »

I agree too. I had to turn it off halfway through because everyone was just so damn stupid. I wondered what in the world happened between 1 & 2, your explanation with Carpenter is pretty believable.
Post Reply