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Film

09th Sep 2018

The new Halloween is ‘the best since the original’, according to the first reviews

Paul Moore

Sharpen those knives because Michael Myers is back!

While box-office takings and critical ratings are usually a good indication of success, the greatest indicator of a film’s legacy is its impact and legacy. In those terms, John Carpenter’s wonderful film Halloween is a bonafide classic. It’s not just a great horror film, it’s a great film.

Think about it.

How many times have you seen that shot of Michael Myers eerily popping out behind the bush copied by other directors?

You could also argue that Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) set the template for the modern ‘Final Girl’ because her character was tough as nails, resourceful and a total badass.

You’ve also got that iconic score and Carpenter working at the top of his game because he’s in total control of his craft – just like he was in Assault on Precinct 13, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China…the list goes on.

Sadly, just like any successful Hollywood franchise, the Halloween films were subject to the law of diminishing returns with various sequels failing to match the original. This being said, Halloween H20 did take a decent stab (geddit?) at reviving the franchise.

More recently, Rob Zombie also gave it a shot with his two films that tried to build the mythology of Michael Myers but they flattered to deceive. However, we have high hopes for the new version because John Carpenter is an executive producer on the film and he has also given it his seal of approval.

Aside from this, the team of Danny McBride (This is the End) and David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Eastbound and Down) working together has definitely piqued our interest.

The first few trailers looked outstanding and the reactions are in.

It appears that the critics definitely don’t have their knives out for Halloween because it has received an incredible reaction.

https://twitter.com/michelledeidre/status/1038660605941633024

https://twitter.com/JonathanBarkan/status/1038660238503800837

https://twitter.com/johnsemley3000/status/1038660673813848064

Halloween is released in Irish cinemas on 19 October.

Clip via – Universal Pictures