Review of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) by Jason D — 30 Aug 2009

Despite the moronic title, Halloween: H20 proves to be a much-needed reboot to the franchise (again, it's an ACTUAL reboot, as in continuation of the series, not today's "reboot" which is really just a classy way of saying remake).

Dr. Sam Loomis (and his actor Donald Pleasence) has finally passed on from this world and only his notes and memoirs remain, which get into the hands of the returning Myers who realizes his young sister, Laurie (the returning Jaime Lee Curtis, which I thought would never happen), is actually still alive and is the dean of a small private school where her son (a young Josh Hartnett) goes to.

As Michael makes his way cross country, Laurie still struggles with nightmares and the fear that someday he will return to get her, which winds up coming true as Michael tracks her down and resumes to his killing ways.

Aside from Curtis and Hartnett, there are some fun, early performances from the likes of Michelle Williams, Adam Arkin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and rapper LL Cool J. Original film actress Nancy Stephens even shows up to reprise her role as Marion Chambers in a brief but fun scene.

Also, the late, veteran actress (and Curtis' actual mother) Janet Leigh (who had the infamous shower death scene in the original Psycho) has a small role in the film and even drives off in the very car she used in Psycho.

Sorry, had to nerd out for a moment. Thanks to direction from Horror movie veteran Steve Miner (Friday the 13th 2 & 3, House) and helpful script advice from then hot horror writer Kevin Williamson, Halloween was refreshed and packaged to the Scream crowd and manage to wildly entertain audiences and bring a legendary monster into more homes.

At the time, the movie was a fresh breath of air, but after 11 years, the movie has clearly dated and almost seems a bit stale at times. Still, the scene where Myers and Curtis reunited still sends chills down my spine.

Not too bad of a film.