Sequels are, by nature, hard to do for one is essentially trying to recapture that magic that made the original so good. Very few actually succeed. However, every now and then, someone actually makes a sequel worth seeing. Case in point, 1981's "Halloween II". Though I can't say it's as good as the first, it does manage to retain some of the magic and suspense that made the original so good. The story picks up exactly where the first one left off: Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) shoots Michael Myers six times but as we all now doesn't die. From there, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is taken to the local hospital but as we soon discover, Michael isn't done with her, and it's here that we discover the famous motive behind Michael's madness; Laurie Strode is Michael's sister. It's a fight for survival as Michael goes the hospital staff one by one until only Laurie is left, and is forced to face the horror of Michael once again.
Written and produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, "Halloween II" was a film that wasn't supposed to be made, as Carpenter and Hill didn't believe that a sequel was necessary. But when money enters the picture, people have a funny way of changing their minds. In many cases, such a scenario is a recipe for disaster. I know that Carpenter himself has said he's not impressed with the script he wrote (going as far as to say the only thing that helped him through the writing of it was a six pack of Budwieser). But I don't think he should be so hard on himself, for unlike most sequels - especially horror ones - "Halloween II" works. Though Carpenter didn't direct it, the movie still has the Carpenter feel to it, as since many of the same crew of the original also worked on this one. The one who did direct, Rick Rosenthal (Before he directed the atrocious "Halloween Resurrection") manages to weave a very good, effective, atmospheric tale of a killer stalking a hospital in the dead of night, and deserves to be congratulated here. It also helps that Carpenter's original theme and score gets an 80's makeover, courtesy of electronic composer Alan Howarth (someone I've had the pleasure of meeting personally), which I must say, makes the Halloween theme that much more effective and creepy! But above all, another important quality is the acting. Everyone here does a fine job, from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance to Leo Rossi and Lance Guest. Whenever a character dies, we feel for them. It's one of those instances where one feels a strong sense of camaraderie among the actors, something that is very rare in any movie. Some of criticized this as being slow, and I'll admit it does take longer for the film to get going. But the feeling of suspense is still there throughout the picture, and I myself consider this the best of the "Halloween" sequels, and look just as forward to it every time fall rolls around as I do the original. Happy Halloween!!!!
Written and produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, "Halloween II" was a film that wasn't supposed to be made, as Carpenter and Hill didn't believe that a sequel was necessary. But when money enters the picture, people have a funny way of changing their minds. In many cases, such a scenario is a recipe for disaster. I know that Carpenter himself has said he's not impressed with the script he wrote (going as far as to say the only thing that helped him through the writing of it was a six pack of Budwieser). But I don't think he should be so hard on himself, for unlike most sequels - especially horror ones - "Halloween II" works. Though Carpenter didn't direct it, the movie still has the Carpenter feel to it, as since many of the same crew of the original also worked on this one. The one who did direct, Rick Rosenthal (Before he directed the atrocious "Halloween Resurrection") manages to weave a very good, effective, atmospheric tale of a killer stalking a hospital in the dead of night, and deserves to be congratulated here. It also helps that Carpenter's original theme and score gets an 80's makeover, courtesy of electronic composer Alan Howarth (someone I've had the pleasure of meeting personally), which I must say, makes the Halloween theme that much more effective and creepy! But above all, another important quality is the acting. Everyone here does a fine job, from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance to Leo Rossi and Lance Guest. Whenever a character dies, we feel for them. It's one of those instances where one feels a strong sense of camaraderie among the actors, something that is very rare in any movie. Some of criticized this as being slow, and I'll admit it does take longer for the film to get going. But the feeling of suspense is still there throughout the picture, and I myself consider this the best of the "Halloween" sequels, and look just as forward to it every time fall rolls around as I do the original. Happy Halloween!!!!