In 1978 John Carpenter and Debra Hill brought a horrifying psychopath to the big screen by the name of Michael Myers. Over the next twenty four years, this maniac roamed the streets of America, leaving a massacre in his wake as he sought the death of one girl "¦ his little sister. Now, twenty nine years after the original, Rob Zombie takes on the task of continuing the terrifying legacy that began so many years ago.
As a young boy Michael Myers was mistreated in school and had one of the worst home lives imaginable. As time passed and Michael continued to hold his pain inside, he grew angry. Then on one dreadful Halloween night, he flipped. In a matter of days, a small town is turned on end, but the story of Michael Myers has begun. Now, fifteen years later Michael is back, this time seeking the life of his younger sister, Laurie.
In this new "˜reinvented' version of Halloween, Rob Zombie attempts to take a beloved American classic and make it new again. He attempts to update something that helped establish the horror genre in American cinema. And he is trying to freak out even the most beloved fans with an old run of the mill story. Rob Zombie succeeds beyond means.
The film is often referred to as a "˜reinvention' instead of a "˜remake' of the original film, and I couldn't agree more. It starts off with a young adolescent Michael, and stays with Michael as he commits the awful murders inside his own home. In fact, for the first hour of the film, Michael never reaches legal driving age, and it is this simple element that makes the movie so good.
Capturing the "˜behind-the-scenes' look into what made Myers who he was not only fills in a lot of holes that were left in the original, but gives the audience a new grasp on the characters of the film. Though the beginning started out like an old, run of the mill horror movie, it quickly escaladed to one of the best horror movies in years. With an ending that will surprise even the biggest Halloween fans, this film is sure to impress everyone.
What really made the movie interesting and 'different' was that the "˜Halloween' story didn't revolve around Laurie (played by newcomer Scout Taylor-Compton), but rather Michael and his state of mind. Following the psychopaths evolution into the inhumane 'brother' that we all know added a creepy yet satisfying element to the film.
The movie is bloody, gory, and extremely intense (as Rob Zombie now has a reputation for), and the on-screen violence should not be taken lightly. However, if you are one that enjoys the thrills of life, this is not one to miss. I only hope that Rob Zombie will again venture into the Halloween franchise and continue the inhumane massacre.
