by Mike Schoonveld:
“You know, we just couldn’t let twenty years go by without scaring the shit out of everybody.” – Jamie Lee Curtis
Halloween: H20 was released on August 5th, 1998, after original scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis returned for a 20th anniversary film in a role that made her famous and a household name. The screenplay was developed by Robert Zappia that was based on a story by Scream writer Kevin Williamson.
It is a direct sequel to Halloween II, effectively ignoring parts 3-6 as if they never happened. Many fans disagreed with the filmmakers decision to do this, as it left many loose ends untied. After the disappointing Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers, producers had decided that their once popular franchise needed a fresh start. Jamie Lee thought it would be great to have everyone back for a reunion. John Carpenter, director of the original Halloween was asked to direct, but simply said ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ having washed his hands of the series after the lackluster Halloween III: Season of the Witch. Steve Miner, director of Friday the 13th parts 2 and 3 was asked to step in as director. In 1995, Donald Pleasence, who played Dr. Sam Loomis in 4 sequels, had passed away shortly after completion on Halloween 6.
Halloween: H20 focuses on a traumatized Laurie Strode still struggling with the 20 year old memories of that fateful night in 1978. Living in fear, she is now a functioning alcoholic and lives with her rebellious teenage son, John, played by then up-and-comer Josh Hartnett. Michael eventually appears, murdering several teens and Laurie’s boyfriend along the way. Laurie must now face her fears as the ultimate battle between good and evil comes to a bloody end.
Halloween: H20, at the time, was marketed as the last film in the franchise, as there was an almost successful attempt to give the series, and its long time protagonist, a satisfying closure. Made on a $17 million dollar budget, H20 had an impressive opening weekend, eventually walking away with a $55 million box office, making it the second highest box office draw just behind Rob Zombie’s re-imagining of the original Halloween. Producers had a hit and it was inevitable that a sequel was in the works.
Jamie Lee’s decision to come back may have been calculated, but it paid off. Not only did her return satisfy fans, but also brought her a new generation of fans of the “teen slasher boom” that started with the 1996 film, Scream.
The film starts off with great promise as we see the return of Nancy Stephens, who played Marion Chambers in the first two films. Her opening death scene is memorable for its violent nature, but also the two neighbor boys as well. Joseph Gordon Levitt played Jimmy, who met his gruesome end with a hockey skate embedded in his face. After a tense and suspenseful opening, the opening credits features the voice of Tom Kane as the voice of Dr. Loomis, recalling his first encounter with Michael in 1963. It’s effective as we see what appears to be a shrine to Michael in Loomis’ office and his obsession with him.
Jamie Lee Curtis gives a great performance as the traumatized Laurie, watching her character evolve from being the hunted to becoming the hunter. It’s a moment that gives the film, and Laurie, it’s greatest strength. Instead of cowering in fear, she faces her monster that has tortured her all these years. As a modern day slasher following in the footsteps of Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer and many others of the slasher craze, H20 delivers the goods, going back to its roots with the suspense that made the original so great. The cast is rounded out by Michelle Williams, Jodi Lynn O’Keefe, Adam Hann-Byrd and LL Cool J, who is a bit of comic relief. They are a likeable bunch and you actually feel some sort of sympathy for them, something not felt since the original film. A clever cameo provided by Janet Leigh is the best. She even drives the same model car she drove in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, Psycho.
The film isn’t without its flaws, but there are just a few. The score, written by John Ottman, was replaced with what seems like a recycled score from Scream provided by Marco Beltrami. The only time you really hear the theme is the beginning opening credits and the end credits. Four variations of the mask can be seen. During a test screening, audiences pointed out the obvious mask mistakes , rushing the film back in for re-shoots. What they couldn’t re-shoot, they added with CGI and the end result can be seen in several scenes. The scares, while obligatory, aren’t really scary at all. There are a few “jump scares,” but after 4 sequels the scares are too watered down and they are just there to build up tension without much to show after it.
All in all, Halloween: H20 is a great entry to a series that appeared to be losing its way. The cast is great and it is adequately shot well. Stuntman Chris Durand donned the white mask and coveralls this time around. There are a few in-jokes to other horror films such as Friday the 13th and Scream and there are many homages to the original film which is a treat for die-hard fans of the series. The final showdown between Laurie and Michael is what brings the film, and the series, together And while it may not hold a candle to the original, it is still tense, entertaining and satisfying to watch, giving the story arc a nice and, what should have been, a solid ending.
The film was originally titled Halloween 7: The Revenge of Laurie Strode.
DarkMedia contributor Mike Schoonveld covers mainly movies, and there’s nothing that gets his blood going like a good horror film, old and new. When he’s not writing or watching horror, you can find him catching re-runs of television shows like I Love Lucy, The Simpsons, and Reba, among many. Last year, Mike was able to flex his writing muscles by submitting a screenplay to the Shriekfest Film and Screenplay festival where he was a finalist for “Best Feature Screenplay.” While he didn’t win, that hasn’t stopped him from pushing forward to establish a screenwriting career in horror. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @horrorguy30, Stage32.com and you can check out his blog at horrorguy30.blogspot.com.
Mike is currently working on two scripts: Slicer: The Sauk County Massacre (formerly titled Hell Weekend) and The Haunting of Willow Falls Manor.
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