Many said that the very idea of a Halloween remake was sacrilege. Others were open to the possibility of a new vision. There is a smaller subset of fans who love anything Rob Zombie throws at them. Then there is the larger pool of non-horror fans who don't care one way or the other.
Where did I fall? I would have to say I am a combination of all of them. I have been a fan of Zombie since his White Zombie days and absolutely loved what he did with The Devil's Rejects. I also love the original Halloween, perhaps not to the same level as many (or even most), but it deserves a special place in the hearts of horror fans.
Well, the controversial remake came and went from the theaters, burning bright and fading fast, greeted unkindly with a host of negative reviews from across the spectrum. A few liked it, me included, but the number of supporters was small.
Now, here we are, less than four months since that fateful day. The theatrical flame has long since burned out and the gift-giving season is upon us. It is the perfect time to remind everyone of this bloody, foul-mouthed, white trash affair and just how great a gift it would make. Right? I know everyone I know wants a little piece of Myers in their stocking.
You are probably familiar with the story of Michael Myers and the night he came home. The 1978 film, directed by John Carpenter, chronicles the night Myers escapes from the asylum that had been his home since he was a young boy, a boy who snapped and murdered his sister (in the remake, most of his family). He returns to Haddonfield and goes on a murderous rampage while Dr. Loomis, who worked with him for years, pursues him in an effort to cut his freedom short.
Rob Zombie's re-imagining amps up the violence and bloodshed. He takes the suspense out of the shadows, shining a light into the darkness. In other words, nothing is subtle in this version. Is that a bad thing? No. It is just different. Is it perfect? Again, the answer is no. Of course, I am not sure there is a perfect slasher film, although the original Halloween does come pretty darn close. Despite its failings, Rob Zombie's take does have something fresh to offer. It takes the seeds planted in the original (and in a couple of the sequels) and builds upon them effectively, creating a new universe to play in.
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Article comments
1 - Gene Vallee
I just viewed the new Halloween Movie and I dare say to ROb Zombie, "Bravo" this is the halloween Movie that will be the classic of them all, it is definately a jewel. It keeps your attention through the whole film and it's not all sexual like most so called horrors are now made.