So when news began to trickle out that there would be a follow-up, I was ecstatic. Rob had already laid a solid foundation with his first film. He had resurrected (no pun intended) Michael and Haddonfield and introduced them to a whole new audience. I was ready to see just exactly how they were going to say Michael had survived a shot to the face.
Ultimately the film was released in 2009. It received a lot of mixed reviews. It also received some decent ones as well as some really terrible ones.
When I had the time to sit down with the film, I remember not enjoying it. I was flabbergasted. I was bamboozled. It didn't click with me whatsoever. Over time, I spent more time with it. And it slowly began to win me over.
The first thing that struck me was the opening of the film. Immediately with a bang, we were thrown back into Haddonfield at the end of the 2007 film. Laurie had just shot Michael then we cut to her walking and Sheriff Bracket finding her. I was on board for this. I really love it when films take the time to respect the continuity that they build with their franchises. It shows that they also respect their fans.
Then we were thrown to the hospital. Laurie going through surgery. Then having Annie at Laurie's bedside watching over her. This whole thing was gnarly. The consequences of running in with Michael were very evident. I think the part that gets me every time is when they remove the finger nails. It's so gross to the point where makes me squirm every time.
I had also seen the original Halloween II. I was having some serious concerns on whether they would have the whole film in the hospital. I mean it could be done. But it had been done. Part of me was a bit skeptical as we progressed further into this sequence. By now, the White Horse imagery was full blown and everywhere. Then quickly Michael struck...
This was a more brutal Michael. He quickly took down the head nurse with precision. And deep stabbings. He is unrelenting in his pursuit of Laurie. Just when I expected something to happen, Rob pulls the rug out from underneath me and shows that it's been a year later and the whole opening of the film has been a dream sequence.
I'll admit at first I was fuming that it was a dream sequence. It felt cheap. It felt like was wasting time. Over time, I've come to love it. It purely encapsulates how much it channels the feel of the old Halloween films. Well except that Michael has stepped up his brutality. It honestly feels like a solid homage to the original Halloween II.
Once this was taken care of, Rob takes the rest of the time to do the unexpected. He tells his own story. He takes the characters and the world and does what he wants to do. And it's absolutely fantastic to see him unleashed.
She's been staying with Annie and her father. This is an aspect that I do love. It makes sense that Sheriff Bracket would take Laurie in after the death of her parents in the previous film. It's a bit like a family now as Bracket has two daughters. Plus he does have a scene where he gets to be the goofy dad.
In this film, we are able to see the PTSD that happens when dealing with the aftermath. Laurie already is a mess. She's extremely on edge. It's at the point where she's severely lacking sleep cause of nightmares. She has been seeing a therapist. But apparently that hasnt been helping. Things are bad to the point where Laurie and Annie argue. The arguing happens a lot. It's a bit tragic as they finally seem like they on decent terms that a darkness happens. Laurie just seems to be lost, unsure of who she is. Just that she works at the record store in town with her two friends.
That all changes when money grubbing Dr. Loomis reappears in their lives as he releases a book. This book details the history of Michael. So much of it would be considered blood money as Lynda's Dad tries to attack Loomis.
The bomb gets dropped in the new book - Laurie is Michael's sister. It shakes everything to the core. Laurie's whole world and life turned upside down. Suddenly it's becomes a little clear as to why Michael was targeting her.
During all these events, we witness Michael on the mend. He has been biding his time for the past year, slowly making his way home. He's also been having visions of his mother and her white horse. The goal to reunite the family. He ends up coming across a pack of hillbillies and shows them who he is. They don't stand a chance.
The closer Michael gets, the more Laurie's visions become frequent. Almost a family bond mental link going. This is an aspect that I don't necessarily click with. I get it, but doesn't really jive. But again it's important to the story.
Laurie becomes unhinged upon discovering that she's Angel Myers. It's to the point where she consults her therapist and loses her sh--. Like one hundred percent bonkers to the wall ape sh--. She also loses it with Annie. And then bails on everything to go with her two friends to a Halloween party, cause that's safe.
Michael returns to town and ends up at the Rabbit in Red. That was the club his mom worked at in the first film. The bouncer tries to be tough and Michael is quick to put an end to that. Literally crushing his face in with his foot. Michael then visits the owner and his girlfriend (?). Yeah, that goes about well as expected.
Michael then sweeps across the Halloween party. The first of Laurie's friends murdered. Laurie and her second friend return to the Brackett's. Michael is quick and had already beat them there. Poor Annie finally taken off the board by Michael. Laurie's other friend is also dispatched and kidnaps Laurie.
It's quickly known that Michael has Laurie. Loomis sees this development on the news. It's a standoff as Michael and Laurie are held up in a shack with police outside.
On the case of Loomis, he's a douchebag. He has taken everything that he could to make a name for himself. He doesn't give a damn about anybody really. He just all about the money. So he's Moneybags Loomis.
He has a bit of a change of heart. Well at the very least, he wants to attempt to help. Whether or not it's for personal gain, that can be up to the viewer. I personally figure it was still an attempt to have something to write about.
Michael finally has had enough of Loomis trying to stop him from reuniting family. He stabs Loomis to death. Laurie was having visions during this exchange. To the point where she was believing she was being held down by young Michael. But upon being released from these visions, she takes the knife and stabs Michael to death.
Laurie exits the shed wearing Michael's mask. She's taken into custody and finds herself locked up in an asylum.
At this point, I love the ending. This whole aspect is just astounding. Rob took everything and made it his own. He got to do whatever he wanted to in the wonderful sandbox. And he told such a grand scale. Even more considering it's a story told over two films.
Having Laurie in an asylum is brilliant. It brings things full circle as Laurie has now been infected with the mental sickness that Michael had. In a sense, Michael did accomplish his goal. I know it's all left up to the viewer to interpret things. Personally, that's the way I take it. And I would have loved to seen Halloween 3 that picked up that storyline. It allows a wealth of potential. But alas, twas not to be.
This is a film that many have overlooked. It's Rob Zombie leaving his mark on the Halloween franchise. He was able to take the kids gloves, that were present in the first film, off. Personally, I do enjoy the first one. But I have grown to love it so much.
Happy 12 Years, Halloween II.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
(Give the flick a rewatch with an open mind.)
Great review other than being a complete spoiler for everything in this superb film.
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