I always go back and fourth on these two as to which one I like better. There’s no doubt that the original is a masterpiece, and the whole idea of the Shape just stalking Laurie all day is frightening, but I feel like H2 has better shots and the hospital locating is creepy af. However, I like NC better as the Shape over DW, and also love the look of the mask better in H78. I also prefer the H2 soundtrack, those synth scores are awesome.
As a movie H1 all the way. I do love the characters of H2 though. That’s gotta be the worst hospital ever.LOL
For overall portrayal of Myers , Castle and Tommy.
But Dick will always be my fav wearer of the mask. He took the creep factor to a different level in my eyes.
This is such a tough question for me, and I feel like it shouldn’t be. H1 is an absolute masterpiece, and no doubt the best film in the series, but over the years, I’ve found myself more drawn to H2. I feel like it’s a lot more rewatchable, I love how it goes even darker than H1 with the synth soundtrack and Samhain stuff going into the lore of the Halloween holiday/season itself. Overall, H2 feels a lot more gothic to me, which I think is very fitting for a Halloween film. I like the hospital setting, and love the hunt for Myers with Loomis and the police, which makes it feel so grounded in reality, like you feel the threat.
Dick Warlock does a great job as Myers, but I do prefer Nick Castle. I don’t like the brother-sister plot however, as it needlessly givers Myers a motive, and it goes without saying, but I prefer Laurie in H1. In fact, H1 is my favorite version of Laurie. In the end, H1 and H2 are pretty neck in neck for me.
Halloween for me, but only by a small margin because I love both of these movies. As far as the Shape I like Castle’s movements over Warlock’s, however I like both the Castle stretch and Warlock stretch equally.
I may be out on a limb here with this one, but I actually like the H2 soundtrack better. I LOVE Carpenters original Halloween soundtrack, love it, but there is just something about that synth sound on the H2 soundtrack that really takes it over the top for me.
All in all though, Halloween 1978 is number 1 for me.
For me H1 is just a perfectly made film. Zero flaws aside from some technical problems.
That said H2 is an EXTREMELY fun watch for so many reasons. I grew up watching H2 every year because it was in network tv and Halloween 1 was barely ever televised. For that reason, H2 will always be nostalgic for the holiday for me but you can’t really do H2 without H1 so they’re both a perfect movie past time every Halloween.
Halloween II is a better film and had a bigger impact(Laurie and Michael Myers are siblings in mainstream pop culture, even with 2018 film’s alternate story).
But Halloween II doesn’t exist without Halloween I, it’s the continuation of H1 in every single aspect, Cinematography, Directing, Writing(regardless of what Carpenter claims), and Acting.
Halloween II is Halloween I with a budget and better pace.
This is just one man’s opinion, but nothing compares to Halloween 1978. It is the best film in the franchise and one of the most influential horror films ever. It created an entire slasher genre that still exists, and was inducted in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 2006 for films that are culturally significant. Aside from all that, the talent that is present in the film is off the charts. The directing, writing, cinematography, music, acting, editing, etc. are all the best of the franchise. Every sequel pales in comparison. I love Halloween II and it’s great for what it is, but it’s no Halloween 1978. If I were giving these star reviews, Halloween gets 5/5 & Halloween II gets 4/5.
The original by far. Halloween II is a lot like Jaws 2 in so many ways. Just an inferior version of the original made because fans wanted more of the shark. I enjoy it for what it is but as an overall film it doesn’t really hold a candle to the original. The story ends best w/ Michael disappearing into the night.
Halloween ‘78 definitely! While I’ve always loved Halloween 2 sometimes I love it a lot and sometimes not as much. Both classics though! Now The Novelization to H2 on the other hand I’ve always adored!
Halloween is the better film but Halloween II is my favourite of the series. I even prefer the synth version of the main theme. Hoping that one day a director’s cut of HII is unearthed and we can see what Rosenthal originally intended.
I respect your opinion and your right to have it, you’re not wrong to have this opinion.
However I disagree with the movie being “dog****”. it was most successful sequel in the franchise, to the point where Michael Myers and Laurie Strode are brother/sister by default to the mainstream pop culture audience, even without seeing the 2nd movie and the sequels.
