I consider Rob Zombie, in many ways, to be a pioneer of modern horror. We live in a world that is desensitized to violence and murder; it takes a lot to actually startle and scare people these days because of what we see on tv and in some cases our own lives. Rob Zombie is bold enough to take horror out of the hands of monotony and push the viewer to the edge of what they are sensitive to, and beyond. It takes the brutal, demented vision of someone like Zombie to renew a sense of fear and repulsion in the modern movie goer. You must be extreme to get the reaction you want. And his Halloween II remake is every bit as edgy and sickly inventive as I expected.
The film picks up right where Rob’s first Halloween ended. A year later, Laurie Strode (Taylor-Compton) is still trying to escape the nightmare of Michael Myers (Mane). She is living with Sheriff Brackett (Douriff) and his daughter. She is seeing a therapist weekly, and as the date of Halloween approaches, she is having more and more vivid nightmares and visions. Elsewhere, Dr. Samuel Loomis (McDowell), Myer’s psychologist from the first film, is on tour promoting his new book which releases never before details of the Myers case. Including the identity of Angel Myers, Michael’s little sister. His insensitive and careless act leads to Laurie’s discovery of who she truly is. And though he claims incessantly that Michael is dead, it turns out the doctor is wrong. It is Halloween, and Michael is coming.
Mr. Zombie proves to be a better director than writer, as he covered both jobs for this film. His visuals are breathtaking; from the sudden and insidious appearances of the deadly Myers to the dreamscape visions of Michael’s mother and the white horse, every scene sets the tone of the story. He has an incredible talent of making something so demented and gruesome be simultaneously beautiful and heavenly. No one quite has an eye for scene as Rob Zombie. On the other hand, this film lacked in story. In his attempt on the first Halloween, much time was spent showing where Michael came from and how he grew up to add a sense to the madness. I thought it was a masterful remaking of a classic horror tale. However, in part II, I feel like Rob settled for nothing less than a simplistic, constant running from the bad guy ’slasher’ flick. The movie is almost literally a play by play of how far Laurie can get away from Michael, and how fast he can catch up. There’s no depth beyond that. And who really wants to watch the same girl scream over and over for an hour and forty minutes?
I will give Zombie this; he took an original twist on the ending of this film. Its not quite what you expect, but in many ways it makes complete sense after he’s finished with the ride. The ending is the sole reason I hope he goes on to make a third film, just so I can see where he takes it and how well he can follow through.
Most of the acting was par and sub-par. Sheri Moon Zombie is in every one of her husband’s films, so she was no suprise. Taylor-Compton does have some acting ability, but she never got a chance to display it here. She had too much running, screaming, and crying to do to actually explore character depth. Even the great Malcolm McDowell was reduced to an in and out comic relief. If not for a single, shaky plot point, Dr. Loomis could have been completely left out of the movie and it would not have taken from the story (or lack there of). He was in many ways simply there to get a chuckle out of the few people who would laugh.
Overall, I applaude Rob Zombie for his awesome directing style and attempt at an interesting plot. He is a modern master of horror, but I think he really held back here. Not even the gruesome was as brutal as he’s done before, and if he was waiting for story to save the lack of gore, he’d be waiting a long time. Its worth a see if you like Zombie or just a simple slasher, but don’t go in expecting House of 1000 Corpses. You’ll leave disappointed and not as scared as you should be. I won’t be buying it for my collection. But I will see the next remake of a sequel, if he chooses to do it again.
Remake of a Sequel, by Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 is a surprise and let down all at once.
Halloween II
starring Sheri Moon Zombie, Chase Wright Vanek, Scout Taylor-Compton, Brad Dourif, Malcolm McDowell, Tyler Mane, Danielle Harris
directed by Rob Zombie
I consider Rob Zombie, in many ways, to be a pioneer of modern horror. We live in a world that is desensitized to violence and murder; it takes a lot to actually startle and scare people these days because of what we see on tv and in some cases our own lives. Rob Zombie is bold enough to take horror out of the hands of monotony and push the viewer to the edge of what they are sensitive to, and beyond. It takes the brutal, demented vision of someone like Zombie to renew a sense of fear and repulsion in the modern movie goer. You must be extreme to get the reaction you want. And his Halloween II remake is every bit as edgy and sickly inventive as I expected.
The film picks up right where Rob’s first Halloween ended. A year later, Laurie Strode (Taylor-Compton) is still trying to escape the nightmare of Michael Myers (Mane). She is living with Sheriff Brackett (Douriff) and his daughter. She is seeing a therapist weekly, and as the date of Halloween approaches, she is having more and more vivid nightmares and visions. Elsewhere, Dr. Samuel Loomis (McDowell), Myer’s psychologist from the first film, is on tour promoting his new book which releases never before details of the Myers case. Including the identity of Angel Myers, Michael’s little sister. His insensitive and careless act leads to Laurie’s discovery of who she truly is. And though he claims incessantly that Michael is dead, it turns out the doctor is wrong. It is Halloween, and Michael is coming.
Mr. Zombie proves to be a better director than writer, as he covered both jobs for this film. His visuals are breathtaking; from the sudden and insidious appearances of the deadly Myers to the dreamscape visions of Michael’s mother and the white horse, every scene sets the tone of the story. He has an incredible talent of making something so demented and gruesome be simultaneously beautiful and heavenly. No one quite has an eye for scene as Rob Zombie. On the other hand, this film lacked in story. In his attempt on the first Halloween, much time was spent showing where Michael came from and how he grew up to add a sense to the madness. I thought it was a masterful remaking of a classic horror tale. However, in part II, I feel like Rob settled for nothing less than a simplistic, constant running from the bad guy ’slasher’ flick. The movie is almost literally a play by play of how far Laurie can get away from Michael, and how fast he can catch up. There’s no depth beyond that. And who really wants to watch the same girl scream over and over for an hour and forty minutes?
I will give Zombie this; he took an original twist on the ending of this film. Its not quite what you expect, but in many ways it makes complete sense after he’s finished with the ride. The ending is the sole reason I hope he goes on to make a third film, just so I can see where he takes it and how well he can follow through.
Most of the acting was par and sub-par. Sheri Moon Zombie is in every one of her husband’s films, so she was no suprise. Taylor-Compton does have some acting ability, but she never got a chance to display it here. She had too much running, screaming, and crying to do to actually explore character depth. Even the great Malcolm McDowell was reduced to an in and out comic relief. If not for a single, shaky plot point, Dr. Loomis could have been completely left out of the movie and it would not have taken from the story (or lack there of). He was in many ways simply there to get a chuckle out of the few people who would laugh.
Overall, I applaude Rob Zombie for his awesome directing style and attempt at an interesting plot. He is a modern master of horror, but I think he really held back here. Not even the gruesome was as brutal as he’s done before, and if he was waiting for story to save the lack of gore, he’d be waiting a long time. Its worth a see if you like Zombie or just a simple slasher, but don’t go in expecting House of 1000 Corpses. You’ll leave disappointed and not as scared as you should be. I won’t be buying it for my collection. But I will see the next remake of a sequel, if he chooses to do it again.