2 out of 5 stars
Just saw the new Rob Zombie movie, "Halloween II", his second remake of the 'Halloween' movie franchise. I wasn't expecting (or wanted) an exact, scene by scene remake. I do feel this movie fails for me for the most part, but has SOME redeeming qualities; not enough to entirely save it for me. I initially had hopes and was surprised after the first few minutes. The movie starts strong. Takes place as the first remake ends. Then proceeds to bringing itself to present day Haddonfield, Illinois (around a year after the first movie) befire delving deeper into the psyche of Myers.
One GOOD thing about this movie is that this is the most intense, most brutal Michael Myers ever. Good kills, decent effects- though the foley (added sound effects) for this film got on my nerves at times. You have to see it to get what I mean. I was worried about the hoodie I saw Michael Myers wearing in the trailers, but it wasn't as bad or as prevelent as I thought it would be. It actually made sense. Overall this movie has even less to do with the original story than Zombie's first or previous remake. The Sam Loomis was totally different than the Loomis in the prior movie and I found myself wanting Michael to kill this version of Loomis. McDowell's portrayal was NOTHING like Donald Plesence's version.
Acting was OK in the movie. The girlish male who played young Michael Myers in the first film has been replaced with a more believable actor. Tyler Mane does a good job as Myers. Danielle Harris returns as well as Brad Douriff. Weird Al Yankovich (plays himself in this film and tells a good joke about the "Mike Myers" name). Malcom McDowwel, Margot Kidder, and Bill Fagerbakke (from the old sitcom 'Coach' or the "M=o=o=n, that spells..." retarded character from the TV version of Stephen King's 'The Stand'). Rob Zombie's wife- Sherry I think, plays the Myers mom.
Overall a decent mix of old music, newer tunes, and remakes of older rock tunes. While the film still lacks a song like the creepy charm of the Chordette's 'Mr Sandman' in the original films, the remake of "Love Hurts" (sung by the same woman who sings 'Mr Sandman' in the previous remake, Nan Vernon) during the credits in the end of the film comes close.
I don't believe die hard fans of the previous films will like this movie at all other than the somewhat decent story and good kill and dream scenes. The kids (late 20's and younger) will probably dig this film a lot. If it wasn't named "Halloween" or used names form the previous movies, this would probably get as high as 3 or 4 out of 5 stars from me.
I didn't like the ending of the movie.
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Among the trailers shown before the film were: the new 'Wolfman', 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Saw VI', and a creepy one called 'The Road' which stars Viggo Mortensen as a guy trying to protect his son and wife after a natural weather phenomenon eradicates most life on the planet.
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