Review of Halloween (2007) by Lynette D — 17 Jun 2012

The trend of horror remakes has been edging ever so closer to John Carpenter's masterpiece for a few years now so I guess it was inevitable that someone would get to air their 'interpretation'. It just so happens that Rob Zombie is that man.

1978's Halloween is a unique film. It was one of the first films of it's kind and it prompted a trend of imitators like any successful low-budget film would. Thus the inherent flaw in the concept of a direct remake. Can you possibly improve the best 'slasher' film ever made? Because surely remakes are about art and not money right?

First off, Rob Zombie has decided to treat us to some background. The story behind the boy behind the mask. Unfortunately it is a story that has been told countless times before. Just in slightly different context. When Michael was a boy he tortured animals. This must explain his 'sick' mind. He was bullied in school and he came from a broken family. His step-father was a layabout who abused Michael and his sister and he had an overprotective mother. That's about all the cliche's covered dontcha think? The less said about Malcolm McDowell's jibbering Dr Loomis the better.

The opening 40 minutes do nothing but obliterate the enigma of Michael Myers (lets pretend for a second that no sequels to the original exist). The simplicity of the original was it's strength. Michael was evil, he killed his sister when he was a boy and the rest was explained by Donald Pleasance's Dr Loomis. Essentially Mr Zombie has wasted 40 minutes of our lives.

What follows is standard slasher fare. Certain set pieces from the original are relived along the way. In comparison to that of Carpenter it is evident that a lot less thought has gone into Zombie's direction. The quick editing somehow mirrors the frantic pace of the second half of the film however it is reckless. Rather than build suspense Zombie builds the body count. There simply is no time for any tension to be built between the slayings. Gore and nudity is amped up so ridiculous proportions. This is as with so many horror films which are admittedly a tad tongue in cheek (I'm thinking of Hatchet). The difference here is that Zombie, despite all this, seems to be taking it seriously.

Following an ending that just wont end the original score rolls in and it becomes apparent just how pointless this remake is. Even as an original idea this would have fallen short.