HALLOWEEN

109 Minutes

I know it's August 31st, but today, thanks to Rob Zombie, we're celebrating October 31st with his version of the 1978 John Carpenter classic, "Halloween." He calls it a remake with a pre-quel built into it. It's sexually and violently graphic, and the "f" word is uttered more times than screams, and there's a whole lotta screamin' goin' on here! Mike Myers as a kid looks like Jodie Foster as a kid so that's scary right from the get-go! And in this "Halloween," Myers from an early age seems to have a mask fetish that brings Insane Clown Posse to mind as an influence.

I watched the original last night on cable uncut - the film that introduced viewers to Jamie Lee Curtis and this story. The only things these 2 films have in common are the use of John Carpenter's original theme music, they are both rated "R," which when you compare the 2 you would probably give the original a PG-13 now, and basically the same storyline is used but Zombie goes into much more backstory. I can tell you the ending is different. I can also tell you that it was absolutely frightening to see this slasher character have no pity, no remorse, and all while wearing the "William Shatner" mask (you do know that's who it was originally modeled after, right?)!

Rob Zombie is in his element with this genre ("House of 1000 Corpses" and "Devil's Rejects"). He asked the cast not to watch the original - he wanted them to play it fresh and he really reinvents Myers into a much more terrifying killer. He said he introduces Mike in 3 acts: young Michael with plenty of history; sanitarium Michael with more of a relationship with Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell); and the Michael that makes up for lost time all in one scary night 15 years later.

So trick or treat - treat yourself to a truly frightening experience that is Rob Zombie's "Halloween."

FYI:

Zombie's wife, Sheri Moon, plays Michael Myers' mom, Deborah.

Labor Day weekend is traditionally the worst movie weekend of the year and when asked why it was released 2 months before the actual holiday, Zombie, in the spirit of promotion because I doubt it's true, said that retailers are already offering Halloween candy, costumes, decorations, and this will give the film a longer theater life. We'll see...