H78 Purists

Michael-Myers.net General Discussion
1

Everyone is entitled to their opinions about the new Halloween film, that isn’t what this post is about. However, i will say that i actually enjoyed this film. I thought it was great to see Michael return to the way he was portrayed in the original. I enjoyed Laurie, her daughter and her granddaughter. I appreciated all of the little easter eggs that i was able to catch, and even at its worst, this film is arguably the best sequel we have got since 1981. With that last sentence now out in the open, i want to get to what the actual point of this post is.

For the most part, this hobby/community is full of people who will argue that the original film is superior to every other installment in the franchise. Most everyone here will call someone out, and be rude to anyone who thinks otherwise.

There are the occasional members who really enjoy part 6 or Rob Zombies remake, so there are a few exceptions. However, most people cannot deny that if you dont come to this forum praising part 1 as your favorite, youre generally tossed to the side as a member of this community.

With that stated, i honestly feel like, and ive felt this way for most of the 8 years ive been apart of this community, that all of these purists on this site/forum, dont even know exactly what it is they are standing behind so fiercely.

This new movie is a prime example of how this fandom cannot differentiate the 78 classic as a stand alone film, and the sequels that followed.

Ive seen people complain about the way he moves, people complain that the brother and sister story line is missing, people upset that the score isnt a carbon copy of the 78 original.

Michael Myers wasnt a robot, slowly walking after his victims, head slightly tilted upward, completely lacking mannerisms until part 2.

Im sure im going to get the, “Part II happened the same night as part one,” line, but point blank, that was a decision made 3 years after the original entry in this series. So, no.

I feel like everyone has this nostalgia about the first one, so much so that it clouds their actual judgment and view on the character and franchise.

Everyone here fights to say that Nick Castle is the best Michael Myers, but everyone here seems to only remember Dick Warlocks robotic portrayal of the character.

In the original film, Michael was climbing on top of cars, crouching behind cars and couches, jumping to his feet on both accounts he swiftly walks, almost running, down the stairs as Laurie starts to get away.

He doesnt just hold the phone cord around Lynda’s neck, hes grunting, hes shaking with impatience, much like when he’s choking Annie from the backseat, or Laurie in the hallway as well. Nothing about the original Michael was robotic. He was very human, in his movements, and it was great to see that in this new film.

Sure there are a few moments when Michael actually slowly walks in the original, but that felt like it was more so the need for him to be quiet. Once he closed the gap between him and Laurie, he charges after. When he comes out of the closet to attack Bob, he rushed forward, pinning him to the wall.

Until the 1981 sequel, and the majority of what follows, there was no certain movements he could or couldn’t do.

And, until Halloween II, Michael’s motives weren’t clear. Psychology, fate and evil were the only things that gave purpose to a possible motive. Much like the 2018 film continued to build upon.

At the end of the day, nearly everyone in this hobby and on this site will say the original is the best. Its the only film that matters, but when put to the test, they have to take the other 5 sequels, featuring Michael, into consideration. They cant take it as a stand alone film, and what it set out to accomplish and say on its own.

Had they given a direct copy of the original film, soundtrack/score and all, i still dont think most people would be happy with it. The score for 2018 was great, and made by John Carpenter himself. He built on what he created 40 years ago, he didnt try to simply copy his previous work.

For a community so driven by the thought that the 1978, lightning in a bottle, original is the best and only film, it amazes me that no one can view it on its own.

In no way am i trying to argue that the original film wasn’t superior, and isnt still the pinnacle of Halloween and most slashers that followed. Im simply stating that on its own, its a completely different film, that none of the sequels captured, until now.

2

I agree with many of your points. I think many of us dislike or even disregard Zombie’a take on Myers because he attempted to humanize him and give him a story and some sort of motive.

I believe this film further proved what works best. Michael didn’t say a word throughout the entire film, and when asked about the mask we see him twitch. Instead of him speaking when asked to, all of the inmates go crazy.

I think this film did an outstanding job of personify evil. Michael Myers truly is the boogeyman and representative or true and pure evil. No compassion, no moral compass; just evil in the flesh.

The kills were brutal, but he killed any and everybody in his way. I forever will love H2 but I truly feel this is now H2. You can’t destroy evil and when the mental patients started freaking out and speaking for Michael I got goosebumps. This, in my opinion, was the best entry in the franchise and truly showed who and what Michael Myers is and represents.

He didn’t need any motivation and he wasn’t hunting down anybody. He killed just to do it and was more evil than we had ever seen him before. He enjoyed every single kill

3

I actually kinda went off on a guy on fbook who basically said robs movie have way more action and gore than this new movie. Just irritated me that action and gore had to be thrown in. Then I realize everyone is entitled to their own opinion but a lot of the we New more action, gore comes from being desensitized and basically adhd unless crazy action is going on

4

I think that’s why this movie was so effective for me. It had that 1978 vibe with buildup and offscreen kills at times, but also showcased his lack of remorse and brutality. I really enjoyed it and believe I will like it even more upon the second viewing

5

I personally am an H78 ‘purist’. My ideal timeline is just the first film, and I see the rest as ‘alternate realities’. I really enjoyed the new one! Times have changed since 1978 and I think the new film captures it pretty well. Definitely can’t wait to get it on blu-ray. Need to get Halloween II’s blu-ray as well.

6

There wasn’t much of a build up in my opinion. This new movie had a fairly fast pace to it.

7

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. It’s when they start forcing their opinion on you and tell you are wrong about it is when it starts becoming a problem. It’s a only a movie. I’m glad we are enjoying the new movie and wish those who hated it could eventually come around. It’s not the piece of shit that some are claiming it to be.

8

Anybody who enjoys this as much or more than H2 stay away from cooper! We are all idiots apparently.

And I agree. I’m glad 90% of people here understand and accept opinions rather than forcing their own down your throat. I loved the movie and as long as people enjoy their time at the theater that’s all that matters

9

Agreed.

The inmates scene for some reason gave me the creeps and reminded me of The Exorcist or The Omen or something.

Like Michael sensed the mask, he never turned around to look at it but he knew it was there, and it woke up something inside him. Like some demon presence descended into him (again) at that moment that had been dormant for 40 years. And it was something so profound and large, horrible and evil, that the other insane inmates sensed and felt it and were reacting to it.

Like dogs barking at a ghost, or something.

Something about that part that started out almost a little bit cheesy, ended up being pretty creepy. I really felt like the director was trying to show that the inmates sensed the evil awakening and were reacting to it.

(imo)

10

Yeah some folks are just grumpy about other people not caring as much for H2 as the new one. I think the lack of nostalgia for me helps a lot. It’s remarkably pathetic how grumpy folks get over other people’s film opinions.

11

I completely agree. I like H2 but it’s a different film and a different Myers. Reason I liked this film more. H1 ca H2 was a cat vs Frankenstein. Two completely different shapes. This Myers was fantastic. Well put…in time it will prove not to be sour grape juice but a fine wine,

12

I liked the film, I could have been better but was amazing considering it was a 2018 horror film. It was the first slasher/serial killer movie that gave me the creeps at all since the strangers. To me it’s a toss up between this one and h2. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. But I’m impressed that a movie about a character that I’m borderline obsessed with, could still creep me out after the amount of exposure I’ve had to the first 2 films. I felt the 2018 story is much more grounded than h2 and that it was scarier but I feel that h2’s mood and cinematography are vastly superior. This new one feels allot more like a carpenter film than h2. Even though john wrote h2. Am I the only one that got “The Thing” vibes during the ending? The only gripes I have for the new movie is I couldn’t stand any of the teenage charcters, they were completely unlikable and was glad to see most of them go. I felt they had a tad too much humor in the film. And the plot either needed to simplified or the runtime needed to be extended, it felt like they were trying to cram too much in a small package. I’m sort of an h1 purist, and still enjoyed the new movie, and the way Myers was portrayed in it.

13

Don’t tell Cooper that John Carpenter was much more excited by this movie than the original H2. Lol Someone said up above that they’re H1 purist and loved this movie. I’m one of those too. Loved H1 and this is closest to that movie than anything else ever was. With that said, I still like H2, and even H3 since I’ve gotten over there being no Myers:) and that’s about it for me. All the rest I can live without.

14

Exactly this. The original film for me, has been told, and stands on it’s own. Everything after it, is alternative realities with their own take and adventure through the world of Halloween.

What I do find interesting about it though, is that Carpenter wanted to make mini Halloween stories each year with the title Halloween, yet, funnily enough, we actually kind of do that very thing, only with Michael Myers as the anchor. Whole different worlds and stories are told! Basically all the film’s could be viewed as their own take, they are so different from one another.

I was around 9 years old when Halloween 4 was in theaters, and I of course did not go as I was young, but I did however watch the first two Halloween films several times on television. When I did eventually get the VHS of part 4 a couple years later when I got old enough to convince my Gram to buy it for me, I never really viewed it as a sequel, rather I more viewed it as “what’s Myers up to now?” Kinda thing.

Oh and VHS, for all you kiddies out there, is what we had to use to watch movies back in the day, on big cassette tapes, that when you wanted to see scenes or parts over and over, you had to rewind, fast forward, rewind, pause fast forward, eventually wearing the tapes out! Lol at least I wore mine out anyway! Had to buy at least a few copies for that reason over those early years!

So yeah, these have always been individual adventures to me, so I guess I am able to view each without the weight of the first film. If any of the movies hit beats of the first one, that’s just a bonus to me. Holding the first movie on that impossible pedestal, your just doing yourself a disservice.

That movie exsists, it’s right there for the taking, it can be watched over and over. I for one love Halloween and the Myers stories, this new film just so happens to nail the vibe I got from the first movie. Which again, is just a bonus to me. I enjoy all the films for what they are. I definitely have a much better time by taking that approach.

And again, these are slasher films, not Hitchcock or silence of the lambs or Seven, it’s slasher films. The formula of said style of film, is what I want in my slasher movie. If I want some epic tale of horror, then I will watch silence of the lambs. Simple as that.

15

I’m happy to accept the label of “H78 purist.” For me, the reason that it’s the best Halloween film is because of the craft with which it was made. It’s a masterpiece of suspense and horror and uses artfulness in a way few horror movies did at the time or have since. It also has, in my opinion, a concept and story that doesn’t require sequels and is in fact better without them. Studio greed led to more films with Myers, not a recognition of what the movie actually says about the nature and reality of evil.

None of the sequels, including the latest one, have justified their existence to me. I have every right as a fan to demand that of a sequel. Had H18 been better-written, focusing solely on Michael escaping to kill Laurie after 40 years of waiting for another “secret, silent alarm to trigger him off,” then I’d have loved the movie and felt it was justified. There is a story to be told with Laurie and Michael’s final confrontation. Adding any relatives to the story (nieces, a son, a daughter and granddaughter) is a way of setting up more sequels. I think we’ve been locked into a pattern of “more is better” as a society for decades and don’t recognize that certain concepts don’t have an infinite shelf life. Bringing Myers back again and again only makes him like the imitators that rose up after the first film and diminishes what makes him mysterious and terrifying. Again, just my opinion.

16

Yeah I understand where your coming from for sure, I have certain movies I feel that way about as well, but with Halloween or any horror film like it, I actually do like the different takes on the source material, even when they get horribly bad, I still enjoy it for what it is. Nothing will ever be H78, and no sequel is ever going to satisfy everyone.

Unless the hardcore fan who knows what he wants in his sequel gets behind the camera and makes the movie, then it’s just never going to happen quite honestly. There will always be something to dislike. But like I said, everyone is talking about it, so it hit nerves one way or the other and that’s a fact.

17

David Gordon Green said in an interview that he was “obsessed” with the original so, assuming he’s not just blowing smoke, he’s a big fan. I think it’s a good movie, I just wish that things like suspense and atmosphere were better used these days. We saw way too much of The Shape throughout, IMO, and he doesn’t do a whole lot of stalking. I didn’t want a remake/total homage to the original (The Force Awakens) but more of what makes the original so classic. This is still the best of the sequels in my opinion, and I have a feeling I’ll be more forgiving with subsequent viewings.

18

I hope the stalking and atmosphere is something that’s fixed in the sequel, though I was pleased with the restraint and tension they managed to make. Maybe DGG has a secret account on here and is mining research :drinkers:
A big thing for me would be to take everything a bit more slowly and really let things sink in. Also, shoot on film for the sequel please.

19

I think this film really is a contender to be reckoned with in the franchise. I might even put it at number 2, if not 3. There is alot of good and great in this movie. There were little bit of humor that sometimes pushed it but still liked that to break the tension. Once I understood Sartaim’s arch as well I got on board. I was captivated by this film, more so than IT, but these are different beasts. I adored this film. To be fair, I give it between 8 and 9 out of 10. Don’t even get me started on the impeccable soundtrack!

20

Very true man, and that’s just it though, every fan has a different idea of what would make for an ideal sequel.

While David is a fan, it’s his take, which happened to be different than other fans. Which is very apparent on these forums that the fans all have their own takes. This is why we will never truely be satisfied, unless we shoot the movie ourselves to do what we want it to do.

It’s basically an impossible goal is what I am getting at, unless all of us fans each get a run at making the movie, I don’t see any hardcore fan being fully satisfied. I am not a fully satisfied fan I assure you, even though I am being positive at the moment.

I still have things that I want out of the franchise, but I am also realistic. Reality says my ideal film will only truely happen if I make the film. And hell, even then producers will fuck around with it anyway and STILL won’t be the true vision! So yeah, impossible standards, unreachable goals! May as well stay out of that way of thinking in order to enjoy things more in life. It’s just how I operate anyway!

Yeah man if you give it some time and see it a few more times, I am sure you will enjoy it for what it is. Just keep reminding yourself that we once had Kung Fu Busta rhymes taking a total shit on the franchise, and that’s what we were getting back then!

Then of course white trash freakshow zombie world version, which takes yet another shit all over the first movie by ignoring it and turning it all into some rob zombie fuckery.

That was a total remake of the original, with his touch of freakshow added in. If there were any movie that took a shit on the original film that started this whole thing, then it’s Rob zombies first Halloween. That totally bastardized the original 78 film, I absolutely hated it at first. But now I enjoy it for what it is, it’s just a Halloween story told in the freak show world of Rob zombie. So yeah, time does help these things!