Overall I love the movie. It would be my third favorite Halloween film.
The best thing about this movie is the cinematography by Dean Cundey. It’s both atmospheric, and stunning to look at. Cundey did an excellent job of framing the movie, and using the wide aspect ratio to it’s full potential with many shots.
The score by John Carpenter uses many of the same notes from the original, but adds a gothic tone to the music, specifically for the main theme, and The Shape Stalks. For Laurie’s Theme, it has a certain dream like feel to it.
This may be an unpopular opinion I suppose. The twist of Laurie being Michael’s sister is a pretty cool twist. Michael wants to murder his sisters, and will kill anyone close to them.
It makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The first person Michael killed was his older sister, Judith Myers on Halloween.
15 years later he breaks out on the anniversary of his sister’s murder, and stalks a girl who has a striking resemblance to Judith.
This girl also happens to be babysitting on that night, just like Judith was babysitting Michael all those years ago.
It’s clear he has his attention on Laurie, he stalks her, and follows her around town all day, and only targets her friends. After Michael strangles Linda, he turns the lights on and off to signal to Laurie to come over to the Wallace house.
Earlier that day, he stole Judith’s gravestone, and later displays it with one of the dead bodies.
Through out the first movie, it’s clear Michael is obsessed with both Judith, and Laurie. We just don’t know why he’s obsessed with these two.
Even though the sister twist wasn’t thought of till Halloween II, it’s fascinating how well it fits into the story of the first movie.
The sister twist also doesn’t really take away the mystique of Michael. In fact it adds more mystery to him. We know he wants to kill his sisters, but we don’t know why.
I’m very mixed on the look of Michael in this movie.
I’m really happy they used the original masks from Halloween 1978. Though it’s very unfortunate the hero mask had deteriorated so much in between movies. According to Nick Castle, he took the mask home after filming wrapped, and placed it above his fireplace for several years till Debra asked for it back for Halloween II. That’s why it looks so odd in the movie at certain points.
Thankfully though it seems the stunt mask held up much better. I’m really glad this was the mask used during most of the ending.
Another thing, the mask does look kinda weird on Warlock. For most of the movie I actually don’t mind it, but there are a few shots that take me out of the movie. Like this shot for example. It just looks odd. The tan skin tone, and padded down hair don’t help. The mask also seems really tight on his face, it would explain why his eyes are so visible.
However that being said there are moments where it looks good.
Dick Warlock looks pretty short in this movie. However a lot of the fear comes from how relentless, intelligent, and stealthy Michael is. So his height isn’t a deal breaker.
I also wish they kept the butcher knife, instead of switching to the scalpel. The butcher knife just looks better overall.
Regarding his performance. He’s too slow and robotic with his movements. I wish he was more Castle like with his performance.
He definitely has moments though. I like him swinging the blade at Laurie, he’s a little more swift with his movements during this moment. I also like how he sells getting shot by Loomis, and then falls lifeless. It felt real, and I appreciate that about his performance.
The reason I prefer Castle’s performance is because he felt like an immediate danger with how fast, and flexible he was.
I’m not too crazy about most of the hospital staff in this movie. They’re obvious cannon fodder to pad the runtime, and bodycount. Most of the actors themselves do a good job, but most of the hospital characters just aren’t very interesting.
Although I do like the little subplot between Laurie and Jimmy. I wish they kept the original ending in where both Laurie, and Jimmy are in the ambulance together, and they hold each others hands. I’m glad it’s at least included in the tv cut.
The tv ending also leads into Halloween H20 pretty well with Laurie now having a son. I really like the idea of Jimmy possibly being his father.
Speaking of Laurie. I wish they didn’t sideline her so much in this. She’s still the protagonist in this movie, and the story still revolves around her. However instead of being an active character like in the first movie, she’s now a very passive character in Halloween II. Despite this Jamie Lee Curtis is still really good, and sells how terrifying Michael is.
And of course we have Dr Loomis himself played Donald Pleasence. He gives a good performance, and adds an energy to the film.
His performance in this is pretty different compared to his more calm, and subdued performance in the original. I love him in both, but I do prefer his H1 performance more. Either way, he’s awesome in both movies.
Personally I don’t like this moment.
It doesn’t make sense how see didn’t see him crouching down when she came in. The way he kills her looks weird. And I really don’t like how Michael looks during this moment. Another thing is this moment is completely random, and has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.
The third act of this film is one of the most creative, and awesome of the franchise. It really showcases how relentless Michael is to kill Laurie. Despite being on fire, he’s still coming after her. That’s terrifying.
For me, it’s up there with the original 1978 ending, and the H20 ending where Laurie chops Michael’s head off.
For me, Halloween II is the Empire Strikes Back of Halloween. It takes the mythology, and flips it on it’s head, while keeping the spirit of the first film intact.
I have always viewed this film as the second part of a trilogy, just like Star Wars.
Agreed 
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