Talk Film Society - Seal of Approval: Halloween (2018)
The Talk Film Society - Seal of Approval is awarded to those films the staff here deem worthy of your attention.
This week, we recommend the sequel to the classic Halloween, Halloween. Pay no attention to its confusing title, just know that the new Halloween and the original 1978 John Carpenter classic are the only two entries in the franchise that are worth a damn in this new timeline. David Gordon Green steps in as director, with Blumhouse Productions backing the return of The Shape and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). Does the new film honor the original enough, while marking new territory? Has Blumhouse created yet another must-watch film in its long line of successes? Is Jamie Lee Curtis made to be the ultimate badass, like we all know she truly is?
Our answers to all those questions is yes. Without a doubt. Now don’t set off those motion detectors and happy trick-or-treating, everyone.
Here’s what our writers have to say:
“Halloween is going to make a ton of people very happy. From the wonderful opening credit sequence to the iconic John Carpenter score, nothing is out of place. Debra Hill and John Carpenter’s baby breathes again because of Blumhouse and the talent they hired.” - Rockie Juarez, from his review.
“Minor quibbles throughout wash away once the cathartic finale brings the house down (literally). Director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum have successfully brought back Michael Myers to terrify a new generation. And if that wasn’t enough, the essence of co-writer Danny McBride is felt in the film’s many, well-executed comic beats.” - Marcelo Pico
“Halloween does the impossible. By combining obvious love for the original and the few things that work in the Zombie remake, they have made an almost perfect sequel to a classic. For the first time in many years, Michael Myers is scary again. And more than that, if they so choose, they have created a masterful conclusion for Laurie Strode 40 years later. Halloween somehow lives up to the hype.” - David Hart
“The latest in a long line of Halloween reboots rises above the pack by combining the best impulses of director David Gordon Green and series creator John Carpenter. While Jamie Lee Curtis is unsurprisingly a towering presence as Laurie Strode, her dynamics with Judy Greer and Andi Matichak are what really give this film its power — the shared trauma and catharsis of these three Strodes build toward a climax for the ages.” - Tyler Heberle
“In its imagery, character quirks, and the fact that the two main characters, Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, are so stuck reacting to events from 40 years ago, this new entry in the Halloween series turns the time that's passed into weight around both its main characters' necks. It's also wickedly violent and creative in the brutal kills The Shape pulls off.” - Sean Beattie
“If you dig this series, you'll love this. Yes, those sequels you enjoy are still there, ready for you to watch over and over again. Make no mistake however, though, the next time I watch Carpenter's original masterpiece, this will be the second half of that double feature.” - Matt Curione
“With lots of scares and a touching family story at the center, David Gordon Green’s Halloween sequel honors the past without living in it. Plus, how damn cool is it that in 2018 we have a slasher opening to 75+ million dollars at the box office?” - Marcus Irving
And listen to Episode 11 of Halloween H40, in which they discuss and praise the new film.
Halloween is now in theaters.
