By Melissa Antoinette Garza
“These eyes will deceive you, they will destroy you. They will take from you, your innocents, your pride, and eventually your soul.”-Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell)
More than any horror film since the remake of “Psycho,” Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” is being scrutinized and critiqued. The return of Michael Myers has stirred so much controversy, anticipation and apprehension in the past several months that the end result can easily get lost in the emotions of the fans. Many wanted it to fail. After all, John Carpenters’ “Halloween” is a classic in every sense of the word. It set the standard for quality and excellence that few films were able to meet. It would take so much to go right on the part of Rob Zombie for his recreation to be anything but panned.
In the re-invention, Little Michael (Daeg Faerch) is introduced. He’s a troubled boy who is bullied in school, tortures animals, has an abusive stepfather, a tramp for a sister, and an understanding mother who works as a stripper. After bringing a dead cat to school, his mother Deborah (Sheri Moon) is once again called in for a chat with the principal. This time however they also bring in a psychologist, Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell). At first Deborah is hesitant to have her son analyzed but after photos of dead animals are found in his backpack, she agrees to the therapy. Before his first examination, Halloween arrives and Michael wants his sister Judith (Hanna Hall) to take him. She backs out when her boyfriend shows up and belittles her brother for wanting to go. Their stepfather Ronnie (William Forsythe) jumps in on the taunting. Soon, Michael takes out his revenge on and kills Judith, her boyfriend and Ronnie. When Deborah arrives home and phones the police, they take Michael away. After being found guilty, he is placed in an institution where Dr. Loomis treats him.
In his spare time, he makes masks and eventually insists on wearing them at all times. When a nurse sits near him and mentions a photograph of him and his sister, he kills her with a fork, and then never speaks again. Deborah, devastated retreats to her house and watches old home movies. Unable to bare any longer, she commits suicide.
Fifteen years pass, and Michael Myers (Tyler Mane) is enormous. Dr. Loomis, though apologetic, informs the madman that he will no longer be coming around. Soon after, police attempt to transfer Myers to another facility, but are murdered in the process. Myers escapes and then the return to Haddonfield begins. Though many elements are similar to the original and pay homage, there is more than enough aspects and scenes that are different to keep the most avid Halloween fan on the edge of their seat.
The time invested in understanding Michael is crucial to these departures. The unwell boy not only gives insight into who the insane man became, but also to other key players; most notably Dr. Loomis. In the classic, Sam was unwavering. In his eyes, Myers was the epitome of evil, and had to be destroyed. There was never a moment of doubt in the character, and it goes without saying that Donald Pleasence delivered remarkably. This time around however, Loomis is different. He isn’t as sure. He feels partially to blame for the lack of progress, but at the same time knows there is something evil lurking in Michael. The closest comparison to these conflicting emotions is Beaten Wife Syndrome. A woman who is beaten and mentally abused over and over again by her husband can logically know that her husband is completely at fault, however many times there will also be a destructive internal voice that tells her, “if I was just a little more understanding,” or “if I was just a better listener.” This is very similar to the voice Loomis deals with. He has the strong moments of clarity when he knows that Michael is a monster who must be stopped, but there is also a part of him that feels as though he failed. It is human nature to blame oneself when someone close to you acts erratic or abusive. In Loomis it created a different layer and level of depth not seen before in the Doctor. Though it would have been a great asset to have McDowell on more than he was, he did exceptional in the role given. It was impossible to fill Pleasence’s shoes but McDowell, being the outstanding actor he is, gave Dr. Loomis new life.
One of the greatest elements of the new Halloween, is the pairing of Loomis and Sheriff Brackett (Brad Dourif). The two had great chemistry and played well off one another. Both are fantastic actors. If only they could have been on screen more, the drama would have been intensified.
Overall, the entire cast did a great job. Sheri Moon proved she was not just a character actress and successfully portrayed the dutiful, confused guilt-ridden mother. She kept the character believable and sympathetic. William Forsythe also delivered as the sleazy berating stepfather. His lines were amusing, nonetheless his demise is one to cheer for. Daeg Faerch is a fine actor very reminiscent of a younger Michael Pitt. He brings out facets to the former blank slate that was Myers and is even able to invoke some sympathy for the madman.
As for the adult Myers, Tyler Dane’s mannerisms fit into the persona of Michael that the fans expect. The only pet peeve is that Dane was too tall and too large for the role. At times, it diverted the attention away from the real villain. Michael isn’t the bigger than life monster but the average sized nutcase with a goal. This point is easily lost when Myers dwarfs his victims.
Though Scout Taylor-Compton may not have been the best choice for Laurie, her portrayal didn’t hinder the overall film. At times the dialogue seemed forced on her part but she pulled through during the scenes that mattered and was able to express enough fear to bring the audience in.
On a high note, the few quick scenes with Clint Howard were a treat, as was seeing Danielle Harris run away from Michael Myers again.
Rob Zombie accomplished the unexpected. He took hold of something thought to be untouchable and succeeded in making a really great horror movie. Without a doubt, some will remain disappointed. The film could have been sheer perfection and some avid Carpenter fans would be unable to recognize it. They’re protective over Michael Myers and what the first Halloween represents, as they should be. It changed the face of horror and will forever be honored because of it. Nonetheless, in a lot of ways this new addition brings back the Michael that in the last few “Halloween” movies was lost. It doesn’t diminish what the first one was, but allows us to remember. It adds different elements to the tale and different spins on the characters.
It was a risky and bold move, and one that ultimately worked out in the favor of horror fans. Though it will never overshadow the original, Zombie does deliver a great addition to the Michael Myers franchise.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7.5/10