'Halloween' review: Jamie Lee Curtis' scary trick is a perfect movie treat

Movie: Halloween

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtin, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle, Haluk Bilginer, Will Patton

Director: David Gordon Green

Genre: Horror-Thriller

Duration: 1hr 46min

Story: 

It's been 40 years since that fateful night of Halloween when Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Michael Myers (Nick Castle and James Jude Courtney) parted ways in a rather violent manner. Since then, Michael's psyche has been a subject of obsession for Dr Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) and many other psychiatrists. There are also podcasting, investigative journalists who want to know what goes into making a serial killer. On the other hand, Laurie has lost peace of mind anticipating Michael's return. She has an estranged relationship with her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allison (Andi Matichak). But as fate would have it, Michael escapes mental facility one more time and this time his target is Laurie. The woman is ready but the town of Haddonfield is not and they pay the price. 

Review:

I always believed that paying to watch horror movies is a waste of resources because the world as it is a scary place. Then I got to write reviews and watching these movies became part of my job. During this time, there have been very few movies that actually impressed, shocked, and scared me. (I do not count Get Out and A Quiet Place as horror movies) The Conjuring 2 was one and this direct sequel of Halloween is the second.

Jamie Lee Curtis made her film debut with the 1978 original. This full-circle proves why she can be dubbed the Queen of Horror. Her intense survivalist is balanced with the small caring gestures towards her granddaughter. But the ass-kicking scenes are where she shines brighter. In the movie, Dr Sartain discusses the impact of these events on the killer and the victims. He theorises about hunter and prey needing each other in order to survive. Curtis' Laurie had been preparing for Michael's return for forty years and when that moment arrives, we see a role reversal as the movie peaks in a glorious blaze.

Director-writer David Gordon Green took time to flesh out the characters instead of just getting on with the slashing. For a major part of the movie, we don't even see Michael's body carving expertise at work. Gordon shows him lurking, moving past in the corners of the frame so that the viewers know what he is up to as the tension builds up scene by scene. The killer is on the loose but the story also takes time to let you know what went down between Laurie and Karen. How they prepared. Allyson's friends are thrown in so that you care just enough for the characters until their deaths give you a shock.

Gordon's handling of scenes is very crisp and minimalistic, which makes more of an impact than just the plain screaming and occasional gore on the screen. A little dash of humour makes you chuckle too. But it's the intensity and the suspense in the final 10-15 minutes of the movie that will make it impossible for you to breathe.

Verdict:

This is one Halloween treat you don't want to miss

Critic's ratings: 4/5