Barrett Brief Movie Review – Halloween Kills Too Much

Barrett Brief Movie Review – Halloween Kills Too Much

Summary: The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode continues in the next thrilling chapter of the Halloween series.

Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller 

Halloween. The franchise that launched the modern slasher. Ever since Michael Myers first appeared in 1978, the franchise has never been able to recapture the lighting in a bottle that was that first film. When Halloween (2018) came out, there was hope for a proper continuation of the Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) Myers feud. After an extended wait due to the Covid-19 plandemic, Halloween Kills is finally here. The problem is that we already know that another film is coming out, Halloween Ends (2022). So what we get is midpoint, with not much progress, a lot of flashbacks and an unsatisfying ending. In the end my issue with Halloween Kills is that it is relying too much on what happens in Halloween Ends and does not stand on it’s own. 

One Step In The Present, Two Steps In The Past

Picking up on the same Halloween night that we witness in 2018’s film, we get to see the result of the rampage that took place. The exploration of evil and what it does to good people is an interesting concept. Especially in a town that has a shadow like Michael Myers that it seemingly cannot escape. When we are dealing in the moment, with the aftermath and what the town’s reaction, I was interested. However, the film felt the need to go back to the night of the original and fill in pieces to the story. I don’t need that. The worst part is that none of the flashback do anything to help advance the storyline. One particular event that we see early on the film that takes place in the past results in nothing later on in the plot. Flashbacks are fine, but to me it felt like filler, something to pad out the runtime. The seeming obsession with connecting this film to the first one is what ultimately hinders it. 

 The Cast

Jamie Lee Curtis is in the film, but she is relegated to the sidelines for most of it. Judy Greer (Karen) takes the lead and does an admirable job (I have to say she is always solid in her roles). Andi Matichak (Allyson) fulfill the role of “young girl does stupid things that gets other people killed” fine. Will Patton (Officer Hawkins) is relegated to laying on a hospital bed for the entire runtime. Anthony Michael Hall (Tommy Doyle) gets the most to work with, and his performance is believable. The rest of the cast is cannon fodder. 

Plot & Pacing

This film is fast, at 1 hr and 45 mins. The plot is very thin. We won’t be able to judge this film properly until Halloween Ends ties up all the loose ends. The only parts of the movie that were dull was any scene at Haddonfield Memorial, I could have done without any of that. 

Technical notes

Some of the kills are memorable and there is a tension at some parts involving the shape. The writers were trying to for a deep message at the end and it just didn’t connect with me personally. 

Overall

Halloween Kills continues the modern Halloween trilogy. Does have some scares, yeah. Is it interesting? Sadly not on it’s own.

Score:

2 out of 4 Briefcases