PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Halloween II (1981) hits really close to home. Like a ton of people I know, my cousin and I were raised by our grandparents. They worked their fingers to the bone, but every night we both sat with our grandma, and watched a horror movie. I would easily say I have seen this movie a thousand times. Halloween II holds some fond memories, so let’s get into the review.
The Rundown
I’m sure that through the years, this film has lost a lot of love from the horror genre armchair critics, and it’s a good thing I find my own perspective when it comes to suggestions. Halloween II was my introduction to jump scares, and still to this day they catch me by surprise. The film won me over by being a continuation and not a new adventure; we got to see what the other side of a serial killer sees. There were a lot of scenes where you were shown the perspective of being behind the mask. Although they have shown this perspective, this was my favorite because you found out why Michael came from the flames of hell to take his sister with him.
Dancing In The Moonlight
The setting and lighting were just perfect for each scene. There is also the scene with young Michael, unkempt and staring into the abyss of future violence and mowing over anyone who crosses his path. The film excelled way more than the original with kill scenes. Boiled humans who had those few chances of cool air, until it all goes black. To me, that is one of the best death scenes I have seen, and I have seen A LOT of films.
The first film was kind of campy, with small glances; the second pulled no punches. In the first Halloween, they took a safer chance with stranglings and a butcher knife. There was really no story outside of a few babysitters either meeting Mchael, or trying to get back. In the sequel, there is a purpose. The film crawled its way into a continuation.
What was also a good time with my grandma; she was a horror hound, and I took right after her. Halloween II is one of the most memorable. If she saw my cousin and I were a bit scared, she would blurt out a one-liner; it was like an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. They were great times; I still hold this film close, not only because of memories, but because it was perfect in my eyes. I dont know of too many people who feel the same, but that is to be expected.
In The End
Halloween II had a perfect setup and delivery. They made it seem real. Like running in the moonlight and setting the dark tones, catching the night sky above. The main cast could not have been better, and the babysitter plot made it even more interesting. You felt true fear, not because of a killer, but because you were always waiting for that next moment, knowing Michael could not die, which brought on an easy idea for independent filmmakers. It will live in our hearts forever. Not because we are superfans, but also because of the wonder, the feat, the nervousness; you can see it in someone’s eyes.
