The Bottom Line
Pros
- An intriguing peek into Michael Myers' childhood.
- A nice array of genre character actors.
- Humanizes the killer.
Cons
- Malcolm McDowell can't deliver Dr. Loomis' ridiculous lines as convincingly as Donald Pleasence.
- Not scary.
- Receives the Rob Zombie shock treatment.
- Humanizes the killer.
Description
- Starring Malcolm McDowell, Scout Taylor-Compton, Daeg Faerch, Sheri Moon Zombie, Danielle Harris, Ken Foree, Dee Wallace
- Directed by Rob Zombie
- Rated R
- DVD Release Date: December 18, 2007
Guide Review - 'Halloween' (2007) DVD Review
The Movie
When I first heard that this film would delve into the childhood of iconic killer Michael Myers, I rolled my eyes, but that turns out to be the most interesting part of Rob Zombie's "re-imagining" of Halloween. Things we learn about Michael when he was a child:
- He killed small animals (not surprising)
- His mother was a stripper (mildly surpising)
- He ran like a girl (shocking)
The insight doesn't get much deeper than that. OF COURSE he suffered abuse at the hands of his stepfather and schoolyard bullies, but don't look for an explanation of his homicidal tendencies.
Ironically, Zombie -- notorious for his inhumane characters -- succeeds in humanizing the killer, but in doing so, Michael ceases to be a terrifying boogeyman. Instead, he's a pitiable Frankenstein who doesn't even necessarily want to kill Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton), something the previous Michael tried to do in three movies.
The plot doesn't stray too far from the original; it just adds more detail. The most interesting moments come from seeing the 10-year-old Michael (he was only six in the original) slip into the homicidal stalker mode we've come to know and love.
Once he grows up and begins killing for real, the movie becomes a numbing series of murders that Zombie lathers with his usual layer of sleaze. Say what you will about him; Zombie knows how to portray the ugly realism of violence. The trouble is, he seems to mistake the discomfort he instills for fear. His Halloween isn't at all scary, but unlike many recent horror remakes, it's not pointless either. Zombie has a definite vision; it just doesn't quite gel.
The DVD
Special features include Zombie's commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes and casting footage and an interview with the director. (It's funny hearing him say that anything was omitted because it was "unnecessary.")
Movie: C
DVD: B
