Review of Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) by Shane I — 12 Oct 2008

Halloween III: Season of the Witch is probably the only sequel that has nothing to do with any of the installments before or since (though die hards will see a connection between this film and 4-5). It's not set in Haddonfield and the only shot of Michael Myers you get is a commercial for a TV showing of the first Halloween. The film deals with an alcoholic, divorced doctor (played by legendary B-movie star Tom Atkins) that falls into a conspiracy dealing with Halloween masks. Yes, I said Halloween masks. Along the way he hooks up with Woody Allen's old flame Stacey Nelkin and has a warm heart to heart with Dan O'Herlihy (the "Old Man" from Robocop).

The film has an interesting story that the screenplay drags down like an anchor. Once again you have characters doing stupid things for no reason and the only thing you can come up with is that the main baddie sees this as the mother of all practical jokes. The acting is mediocre, but this is an '80's slasher flick.

But at the end of it all Halloween III isn't as bad as it's made out to be. Most of the criticism comes from the fact that it isn't a Michael Myers film, which is a shame. An OK sequel that isn't really a sequel.