And just as I thought I was out, I get pulled right back in. OK, I willingly walked into this treat.
Let me start off by saying that for the life of me, I DO NOT understand the hate for this movie. I’m sorry, but people need to let shit go when it comes to remakes. They are here to stay. If you don’t want to see it, don’t watch it. BUT do NOT tell me that it’s a bad movie just because you are too hurt that a remake was made. Let’s look at the remake market for horror.
Nightmare on Elm Street – noble effort, wasn’t bad, destined to be hated because it wasn’t Robert Englund. That was a good shot, I’m not hating, but I prefer the original.
Friday the 13th – The remake was fantastic. Compared to the original, I will take the remake any day. That is not me saying that I don’t recognize the importance of the of the original, much like any of these, but this movie was way more entertaining.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Similar set up, very close ties to the original, and it was well done. Some days I prefer the original, some the newer, depending on if I want bloody or gritty. Both excellent.
Hills Have Eyes – New one is way more bloody and gory, still a lot prefer the original.
Amityville Horror – New one wasn’t bad, it just never properly resonated with fans like the original, and I am partial to the original as well.
The Shining – The biggest debate for true fans. You see, you have the people that instantly dismiss it due to it not being Kubrick, due to the length, due to Jack nicholson being replaced by Steven Weber, a lot of differences from one to the other. Here’s the thing, the new one is more like the book. If you prefer the book, you should invest some time in the made for TV miniseries remake because it is extremely well done. The biggest beef I have with the remake is that it isn’t as scary, it simply isn’t. Both are great.
Which leads me to Rob Zombie’s take on Halloween. This is THE BEST remake of the horror franchises, I do not accept any other answers. If you are pissed off that the family is white trash now as opposed to the original, well quite frankly it makes Michael’s descent all the more logical and reasonable. The original provides shit for a back story, and most people are actually satisfied with this? I firmly believe the haters went into this movie with a hate on and never gave it a fair chance. This movie has something called character development. Wow, what a neat fucking idea. You don’t like the characters? Too bad, they have dimensions now. The original characters were poorly fleshed out and I will fight somebody tooth and nail over this. Look how long it took to get to Michael killing people in this. Look at what you know by that point. His mom is a stripper, the kids at school pick on him for this, he likes pet rats, his step dad is a complete dickhead to everybody in the house and calls Michael gay and demeans the shit out of everybody. Well now, I can see how that kid may snap and kill some mother fuckers. Why did the original Michael Meyers go on a killing spree? ……….Waiting……….Still waiting……….I got all fucking day………..Oh, you don’t have a good reason. Well fuck you very much, go park yourself at the kid’s table with your hackneyed opinions and preferences. You can tell I have had a few conversations and read some really stupid people’s opinions on this movie.
So we have a backstory. William Forsythe’s dickheaded character gets got. The stupid promiscuous sister and her man get got. We see titties! Sherri Moon dances. This all happens prior to him being locked up. Are you kidding me? You are gonna complain about this? So Michael likes to have a mask on, makes him feel safer. Malcolm McDowell is Dr Loomis. Have I mentioned how great this cast is? The haters will bring up that it is a bunch of Rob Zombie retreads. Well ain’t that some shit. Who of his big stars before have huge roles in this? Sherri has an adequate role, and she’s hot. This certainly isn’t an issue. Tyler Mane is a beast of a man and is the best Michael in my opinion based on size and presence. Brad Douriff plays the main sheriff, and he’s a horror icon, ya know, the voice of Chucky. Danny Trejo plays my favorite character in this, and I so wanted him to live, and Michael ALMOST allowed it. Most heartbreaking scene in the film. Bill Moseley, the man who played Otis in the House and Devils Rejects, has a small role. Sid Haig, Captain Spaulding, also has a small roles. Other awesome actors in this include Dee Wallace, leslie Easterbrook, Ken Foree, Clint Howard, and Lew fucking Temple. Then you have Danielle Harris, who played Jamie in Halloween 4 and 5. What a great fucking cast!! Oh and the kid that portrayed young Michael Meyers was the fat kid that taunted Hancock, in that movie, Hancock.
If I haven’t sold you yet, then why are you even breathing? Unfortunately, the sequel wasn’t as good, some may say it was downright awful and began the downward spiral which led to the blah Lords of Salem. This movie though, this movie is a masterpiece that I think all horror fans should see. Oh and just in case I haven’t sold you, one final story.
My mom, who is now in her 60’s, she is the one that showed me the original Halloween and made me dig the franchise. I decided to show her this movie to see if she would like it or be a jaded old person who hates remakes. Without any influence, she tells me she enjoyed this one more due to character development and backstory. There you have it. This shit matters!
I give this movie an 8.3.
All the pictures used in this blog are for review purposes. They are the property of:
- Dimension Films (presents)
- Nightfall Productions
- Spectacle Entertainment Group
- Trancas International Films
- Weinstein Company, The
Please go find a copy and support the creators.