This movie is nowhere near as bad as the reviews are saying. But the negative reviews have a point. The movie suffers from two big problems - the name, and the audience expectations. Both are obviously linked.
After Halloween Kills, knowing that the next one was Halloween Ends, fans are filled with expectations of a big finish to the series. Dialogue had suggested that there was a possibility that Laurie Strode and Michael Myers had to kill each other to bring an end to things.
Instead, we get an exploration of the role that the town plays in creating a monster. Michael is relegated to a supporting role for the vast majority of the movie.
Thematically, this makes sense. A big chunk of Halloween Kills was about the way that the town has been dragged into making things worse out of their fear.
And that's fine. But it doesn't fulfill the expectations. It's interesting - but it feels like we never reach the fireworks factory.
Because so much of the movie is given over to this other plot, the big finish fight with Michael seems like an afterthought. It's not a bad fight. In fact, attached to another movie, it would be a satisfying final battle.
The plot that fills most of the movie has value. But, since there's a bit less time than a full movie devoted to it, there are things the story needs that aren't developed as much as they need to be. The strong opener leaves us feeling for Corey, but that goodwill is wasted by him being creepy or violent the rest of the movie. It's very hard to believe that Allyson would have any attraction to him. Maybe if they didn't have a romantic attraction? If she found him interesting or compelling, I might be able to buy that.
Released under a different title, maybe released as a spin-off, this could have been a pleasant surprise.
I think there's a chance that this movie will have a better reputation in the future. It's interesting, and it's less like most of the Halloween movies. And that has value.
After Halloween Kills, knowing that the next one was Halloween Ends, fans are filled with expectations of a big finish to the series. Dialogue had suggested that there was a possibility that Laurie Strode and Michael Myers had to kill each other to bring an end to things.
Instead, we get an exploration of the role that the town plays in creating a monster. Michael is relegated to a supporting role for the vast majority of the movie.
Thematically, this makes sense. A big chunk of Halloween Kills was about the way that the town has been dragged into making things worse out of their fear.
And that's fine. But it doesn't fulfill the expectations. It's interesting - but it feels like we never reach the fireworks factory.
Because so much of the movie is given over to this other plot, the big finish fight with Michael seems like an afterthought. It's not a bad fight. In fact, attached to another movie, it would be a satisfying final battle.
The plot that fills most of the movie has value. But, since there's a bit less time than a full movie devoted to it, there are things the story needs that aren't developed as much as they need to be. The strong opener leaves us feeling for Corey, but that goodwill is wasted by him being creepy or violent the rest of the movie. It's very hard to believe that Allyson would have any attraction to him. Maybe if they didn't have a romantic attraction? If she found him interesting or compelling, I might be able to buy that.
Released under a different title, maybe released as a spin-off, this could have been a pleasant surprise.
I think there's a chance that this movie will have a better reputation in the future. It's interesting, and it's less like most of the Halloween movies. And that has value.