What do you think the next thing the studio thought? I can immediately hear them asking "How can we capitalize on the success?". This was something that probably led them to think bout for a little bit. Back then, Hollywood was very different. It wasn't immediately known that Halloween would get a sequel.
Halloween II was released in 1981. While Carpenter would return to write the script with Debra Hill, he did not return to direct. Rick Rosenthal would be the one to step behind the camera. This led the film to feel like a natural continuation of the '78 film.
First of all, one of the good things about Halloween II is that continuity with the first film. It's more of the night that never ends. A great instance of this is seeing a character that was only mentioned in the first film - Ben Tramer. I mean it sucks that he has terrible luck and his night is so explosive. But it's pretty neat callback.
However, there isn't much else for me that I like. I mean yeah, we get more of the characters that we love - Dr. Loomis, more Sheriff Brackett and Marion (the nurse from the Smithsgrove escape). But overall, this to me feels a bit less. Especially in comparison to that original film. It feels like they were trying so hard to recapture the magic that was behind the first one.
The setting is Haddonfield Memorial. A hospital could be a very good setting for a horror film. However in the film, it comes off as drab and like there isn't much to it. Yeah, it's late on Halloween night - but wouldn't there be more staff than just the few that are shown? Onto the topic of the hospital staff, there isn't much that differentiates one from another. They all feel a bit cookie cutter and like they are filler to be killed by Michael.
The tone is a bit different from the original. Now that we know what's going on, the tone becomes that of ultimately a generic slasher. For me, I could see any other kind of slasher switch out with Michael and it'd result in a similar film. This just goes further that they were trying to capitalize on the slasher boom that really came into it's own with Friday the 13th.
Laurie Strode. It was super important to include her right? Honestly, no. She's not really utilized till the final act of the film. Outside of that, she's bedridden and asleep. That's a bit of a waste of her character.
While this continues the story from the original Halloween, Halloween II is a bit of a by the numbers slasher that ups the gore. It doesn't take too many risks. I mean the biggest risk they did was making Laurie Michael's sister. Though, the ending is an explosive one for sure..it created issues for the franchise down the road.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
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