Review of Halloween II (1981) by Trevor R — 03 Feb 2014

I like the idea of a sequel taking place immediately after the original's credits have rolled, but this film's "story" (I use the term loosely) is far too padded and insubstantial to be taken seriously.

Within moments, "Halloween II" completely undercuts the subtle genius of the original films ending. Carpenter has discussed Pleasance's insight in various interviews, where he did two takes-- his cold stare communicating "I knew this would happen" (Which made the final cut), and an alternate version that was a simpler and easier shock that said "Oh no! Where did he go!" The sequel decides to go with the second interpretation.

Not only is the whole affair about an hour too long, but our former heroine Laurie spends the majority of the film in a hospital bed, leaving an increasingly-campy Donald Pleasance to run around after The Shape yelling the same nonsense ad nauseum. You can already sense the franchise shifting into schlock mainstream, leaving behind the low budget cleverness of the first film (There's more gore, more nudity, and an eye-rolling third-act twist meant to provide motivation to a character that needs none). There's still some good scares, but "Halloween II" is mostly a drag.