By Melissa Antoinette Garza
When HALLOWEEN (2018)came out and I saw the trailer, I was a bit worried it was going to go the H20(1998) route. I wanted to be optimistic. I wanted to really love this, but I was scared going in.
The film opens with podcasters Daina Haines (Rhian Rees) and Aaron Korey (Jefferson Hall) who want to get an interview with Michael Myers. Michael has been locked up for 40 years and is about to undergo a prison transfer. Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) agrees to the interview, but tells them not to expect much as Michael doesn’t speak. They see him, but no words are exchanged.
Meanwhile, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has been struggling. She’s a twice divorced grandmother who had her own daughter Karen (Judy Greer) removed from her care when she was 12. Laurie lives on a huge farm set up with security lights, a firing range and booby traps. Needless to say, the horrific night has left some traumatic scars.
Daina and Aaron hunt down Laurie and offer her $3K for an interview. She agrees and talks a bit about her past and how it made her agoraphobic. She’s standoffish because the podcasters are treating Michael like a salacious story rather than the horrific killer that he is.
After they leave, Laurie meets up with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and gives her the $3K. Things are difficult in family. Laurie is still very much estranged from her daughter Karen. Karen’s husband Ray (Toby Huss) in trying to be supportive of his wife is rather harsh with Laurie. He’s not a bad guy, but just doesn’t understand the severity of what Laurie had endured.
Allyson wants her family to unite and be happy. She convinces her mother and grandmother to get together over a celebration dinner for her. In attendance beyond just family is her potential beau Cameron (Dylan Arnold). I didn’t like him from jump. As soon as the character came onto screen, I told Steve and Geno “that kid is a douche!” He has this shitty huge smile that fills his own face as he tries to play innocent. He’s not innocent! I hate this kid.
So, Allyson goes to a dance with Cam and of course within like ten minutes a sexy fem in a cat costume has her tongue down his throat. Never trust the gal in the kitty costume on Halloween! They are vamps every time. Well, Romeo Cam runs over and tries to make things right with Allyson only he becomes an even bigger prick. He destroys her phone because he’s a tool. Fuck him. She could do so much better.
Sadly, the guy who walks her home is no better. I knew he was a douche too. The moment he came on screen which was the same time Cam did, I turned to Steve and Geno and said, “I don’t like this guy either. Fuck this guy.” Guess what? I was right! Fuck that guy! Drunk asshole Oscar (Drew Scheid) who is totally the best friend of Cameron’s offers to walk Allyson home. He starts to and then offers to take her on a shortcut. Girls, NEVER go on a shortcut with a guy! Ever. Unless, he’s cool and you want to fuck him – then fine, but otherwise it’s just a bad idea.
Anyways, Oscar hits on Allyson and she pushes him off. At least, he doesn’t try to rape her. Oscar gets a point for being a dick in a horror film that does get rape-y, but that’s it. That’s his only point. He immediately goes full incel, crybaby because he can’t get laid. He doesn’t want Cam to find out, but still tries to tell Allyson how hot she is. Fuck both those guys. Fuck them hard!
Thankfully, Haddonfield does have a few nice guys – well at least one. Dave (Miles Robbins) is a snazzy gent. He’s respectful towards the ladies. He asks them if it’s okay before he commits a crime and blows up a neighbor’s pumpkin. He has a cool hat and a fun style. He got some ink done to impress his main fem Vicky (Virginia Gardner) and impress her it does. I like that dude. I knew he was in the flick just for the body count, but I didn’t want him to die. I thought maybe if Vickie died, he could pick up with Allyson and they’d be a cute couple. That did not happen.
During these side stories, Michael Myers is on the lose and fucking shit up. Laurie is on top of it though. At first, Karen and Ray want no part of Laurie’s help,but when the cops get involved they know shit just got real. They go to Laurie’s house and get in contact with Allyson to get there. When she arrives, it’s three on one in a full fem attack of epic proportions. I love it. It was great. Three generations of women kicking ass without a gent in sight. Yummy!!
I was shocked about how good this was. The acting is phenomenal. Everyone did a great job, but damn did Jamie Lee Curtis blow me away. The evolution of her character and when we are re-introduced to Laurie is done in such a believable and realistic way. Every move Laurie made and every thought or reaction she had was understandable and Curtis made it hit home. I felt for Laurie, a lot!I love it.
This is one you have to own. Buy it. It’s good. I promise. I get paid nothing to say this. I do this for kicks. It’s just a good movie and there are tons of homages and nods to the original that fans will appreciate.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
