DVD
REVIEW:
HALLOWEEN
(2 DISC
DIRECTOR'S CUT SE)
12/18/07
In an age where sequels have
become a lucrative form of filmmaking, and remakes are even
more lucrative shortcuts for fast money and very little
work, the cult classic “Halloween” is getting its day in the
limelight, and why not? One might ask themselves, isn’t it
easier to profit from someone else’s vision and hard work
instead of creating an original idea? Surprisingly enough,
this movie doesn’t deserve the label of remake. It has so
much vision and insight all on its own, and even with the
infamous “Halloween” trademark title, it’s originality makes
this film stand all on it own.
This film is a new point of view, a different take on the
classic horror flick “Halloween” and basically it’s more of
a prequel. It’s more that just murder and gore, however,
it’s more a psychological unraveling of Michaels Myers
childhood, his traumas, the murders and subsequent
imprisonment, and of course his bloody path leading to his
baby sister. Rob Zombie sinks into this soulless masked
monsters psyche and shows a childhood with a stripper Mom, a
promiscuous sister and a crippled , alcoholic, and abusive
stepfather . He shows you the life this little boy has to
live, filled with ridicule and humiliation and how he begins
manifesting violence as a form of retaliation and his
fascination with covering up his face with masks that can
hide his face and the madness behind his eyes. It goes on to
show the relationship between himself and his therapist who
becomes this tragic child’s only friend and confidant. Then,
of course, comes the blood and gore as it proceeds to his
journey back home to the only family he has left, and as he
proceeds to manifest the rage and bloodlust that has been
incarcerated with him for over 17 years. Rob Zombie takes
you through Mike Meyer’s journey this time, instead of the
victims, and as you know any amount of time spent in a mad
man’s mind is too long.
Daeg Faerch’s portrayal of a young Michael Meyers will chill
you till your core. He does an amazing job of showing a
vacant yet evil stare, and for someone so young he really
pulls off the troubled yet vulnerable boy who’s in the
process of snapping. Malcolm McDowell’s performance as
Meyer’s psychiatrist is phenomenal, proving once again what
an amazing performer he is in any role. You can feel his
sympathy, compassion and ultimately his guilt for not being
able to reform young Michael and for ultimately abandoning
him to rot away in a mental institution for the rest of his
life. I wasn’t completely impressed with Scout
Taylor-Compton, this films version of Meyer’s sister, played
flawlessly by Jamie Lee Curtis in the original horror
classic. In fact all of the teenagers seems too happy and
amped. It lacked the dark, troubled quality given these
characters in the original version. As a whole, though, it
was edge of your seat, holding your breath with anticipation
fantastic. It had a great build up and the culmination was
perfectly timed and horrific. I could not think of a better
ending, both horrible and completely satisfying . I think
this is will be the new classic for this generation.
VIDEO:
Full Screen (2.35:1) Enhance for 16x9 TVs
AUDIO:
English 5.1
Surround French Spanish
Subtitles English Spanish
BONUS FEATURES:
DISC 1:
Commentary by Writer/Director Rob Zombie
DISC 2:
Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary: A
total of 17 Deleted Scenes With Optional Director’s
Commentary
1. Rabbit In Red - This
unnecessary sequence shows Deborah Meyers as the strip club
when the school principle
calling about Michael. (2:17)
2. Quick draw -
Michael’s sister has the greatest ten seconds of her like.
This sequence does help to explain
why Michael’s sister was mad at her boyfriend. (0:53)
3. End of A Long Night
- Shows Michael mom leavening the strip club. (0:24)
4. Rainy Evening -
Shows Dr. Loomis leaving the mental hospital. (0:27)
5. Not A Monster -
Deborah Meyers ask the Dr. Loomis if Michael is monster.
(0:37)
6. You Seem Sad Today - Good deleted
scene featuring Dr. Loomis interviewing Michael and asking
him about the devil. Show the meaning behind the masks.
(1:46)
7. The Media - Deborah is
ran-sack by the media. (0:51)
8. Xmas Gift - Deborah
leaving the mental hospital but not before giving Dr. Loomis
a Christmas present. (0:24)
9. Parole Hearing - Michael
get a parole hearing where Dr. Koplenson says Michael is
free of any violent tendencies, and should be sent to a
minimum security facility. (3:37)
10. Night Shift - Extended
sequence of Michael‘s escape. (2:49)
11. Very Young - Dr Loomis is
shown signing his book. (0:58)
12. He’s Out - Dr. Loomis gets the call that
Michael has escaped. (1:03)
13. Tombstone - Shows Michael
stealing the tombstone and attacking the groundskeeper.
(1:38)
14. Aftermath - Michael
lurking.(0:26)
15. Adoption Agency - Dr.
Loomis at adoption agency asking for whereabouts of the
Meyers’ baby. Maybe he should ask Michael. (0:31)
16. Missing Stone - Dr.
Loomis and the sheriff have a discussion about his book.
(2:24)
17. Van Kill - Michael gets a
kill in the van. Never go looking for beer in the middle of
the night. (1:00)
Alternate Ending - A gentler Michael spears
the life of his sister. This is a much better ending. (3:47)
Bloopers - Pretty fun set of bloopers. (10:17)
The Many Faces of Michael Myers - Rob Zombie
discusses the purpose of the many different mask the Michael
uses. (6:28)
Re-imaging Halloween
1. From Camera To Screen -
Rob Zombie talks about bringing his version of Halloween to
the screen. (6:10)
2. The Production Design -
Anthony Tremblay, the production designer discusses the
visual feel of the movie. (5:35)
3. The Makeup FX, Props and
WardRobe - (7:20)
Meet the Cast - The cast of
Halloween talk about their characters. (18:17)
Casting Sessions with actors from Halloween -
A bunch of cast members are show in their casting session.
Scout Taylor-Compton Screen Test - Screen test
for Michael’s sister. Pretty boring stuff. (7:48)
Review By Helen
helen@smartcine.com
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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AUDIO |
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