I am the person that screams and yells at the television screen when characters in movies do something terribly stupid and completely foolish. But for the horror genre, stupid characters are the driving force that pushes the plot towards its thrilling endgame.
The original Halloween debuted on October 27, 1978. The iconic slasher movie was directed and scored by John Carpenter, co-written with producer Debra Hill, and debuted a young Jamie Lee Curtis. The film unfolded the story of serial killer, Michael Myers, whom had previously been committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his older sister, Judith Myers. Fifteen years later, he escaped to stalk and kill the people of the town of Haddonfield, Ill., while being followed by his former psychiatrist, Samuel Loomis. And so on Halloween night Michael stalked Laurie Strode and killed many of her friends as they babysat.
It’s now been 40 years since that terrifying night and Laurie Strode has never forgotten.
Laurie may have survived the vicious attacks from Michael, but it has definitely taken a toll on her. In the beginning of the movie the audience sees how Michael has been locked up in an institution since his capture in the first movie, but Laurie who lives in the outside world has isolated and learned to protect herself all these years. She is viewed by the town as an eccentric, paranoid hermit, and has transformed her house into a bunker as she waits for Michael’s return. Michael manages to escape when his bus transfer to another mental asylum goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, hoping to kill Laurie, and her family once and for all, but this time, she’s ready for him.
Curtis embodies a badass. Laurie may be a little crazy and way too paranoid, but she has every reason to be. She was traumatized as a teenager and has never really recovered but if not for that she would not be ready for the epic showdown. Laurie’s daughter, Karen is portrayed by Judy Greer. Karen and Laurie do not have a very fond and loving relationship as Laurie supplied Karen with fear, paranoia and anxiety growing up. In the beginning we see Karen who has pushed her mother out of her life and has desperately tried to see the beauty and positive side. Laurie also has a granddaughter, Karen’s daughter, Allyson played by Andi Matichak. Allyson has a soft spot for her grandmother but her parents both try to pry her away from Laurie. Allyson slightly reminds the audience of a young Laurie, but Allyson is much more naive and ignorant, and doesn’t seem to have much of a character development like Karen or Laurie.
But, what really interested me is how the movie contained many jump scares, various chilling situations and paid tribute to the classic with cheesy and eye-rolling killing scenes. At one point I found myself rooting for Michael as the characters would trip and fall as Michael neared, or would make stupid decisions like run into the dark woods to get away from Michael’s grasp. I literally yelled, “You’re so stupid, you deserve to die,” as I rolled my eyes dramatically. But still despite the overwhelming amount of cheesiness and classic backdrops the movie was quite enjoyable, only because of characters Laurie, Karen and Michael himself. Curtis embedded an admirable spark in Laurie’s character, Greer gave a realistic and surprising twist on Karen’s attitude, and Nick Castle delivered horrifying and gruesome killings as he portrayed Michael Myers.
The cheesiness and apparent callback to the classic might be too much for some people, but it’s been 40 years later, and I’m still terrified of Michael Myers.
