13/365 Halloween 2 (Rob Zombie)

Starring:   Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell

Genre: Horror

Discovery:  A while ago someone told me how good of a director Rob Zombie is and that I should check out his movies.  CUT TO: Me renting Halloween 2, to see just what this guy has to offer the horror genre.

Summary:  Laurie Strode is haunted by her brother Michael, who seemingly will kill anything in his wake just to get to her.

First Glance:  When I think of Rob Zombie, this movie might be the ultimate reflection of how I imagine him being.  Chaotic, fast paced, dark, and confusing.  He may be none of those things but his movie is.  Switching between dream sequences, fantasy, and real life, I got a bit confused as to what was happening. Michael seemed to have developed a “back story”.  The screaming was really good.  Scout, is no Jamie Lee Curtis (no offense).

Deeper Look:   I watched my first scary movie when I was 12.  Friday the 13th (original), it didn’t get any creepier & gory than that.  I love scary movies.  Back then, I would to try to figure out how they did certain things.  The behind the scenes stuff really fascinated me.  Still does.  Back to the task at hand…Halloween 2.  Best word to describe it would be: SOLID.  Good but not great.  Scary but not chilling. Gory but not visceral.  All the traits that the original one had.  Maybe it is unfair since it is not a true remake.  Almost everything is different except the characters involved. Ultimately, that is what you get when you take on a movie so legendary.  You have to do it justice or the true fans will revolt.  The final product is one which did just enough to keep that from happening.  It just can’t secure it’s own place in history.  (Behind the scenes girl says: the scene where they discover Annie is a visual masterpiece, the hours it must have taken to transform that bathroom and her “lifeless” body, really good stuff.  i always wonder why horror movies rarely get best makeup, it is a super challenging specialty.)

What I Took Away from this Movie:  I still love to figure out visual effects. Horror is the best genre to play with them.

Final Glimpse:  Capable & gory remake but does not capture the true thrills of the original.  I won’t be too harsh because this is the only Rob Zombie film I have seen.