jones-markjones-mark592 Now this is a sequel! Halloween II occurs instantly after the first film and even opens with a recap of how it ended. Then the movie starts...Now, quick warning, this review will be more of a rant about the film and the whole series I've seen so far because, quite frankly, I'm tired of this franchise already and I've only seen two entries. Basically, the plot of this film is exactly the same as the original. Michael Myers tries to hunt down Laurie Strode, whilst Michael's psychiatrist hunts him down. One thing I can say though is the psychiatrist does actually get more to do here than just stand by a house. The main issue with this film is there is a constant lack of tension and drama throughout. For example, the entire climax is laughable. Music is used sparingly and all we have for tension in the final battle is a plethora of silly sound effects with Myers swiping at empty air. Are we seriously supposed to be frightened by that? Also, is Michael Myers' signature weapon a scalpel? I'm asking you here, because it's one of the least effective and scary weapons I've ever seen a serial killer use. Also, the huge plot twist of Lorie and Michael being siblings is handled EXTREMELY poorly. Firstly, it's reveal lacks excitement and is just given in causal conversation which nobody is surprised by. Secondly, is Myers' motivation really just to kill his siblings? I'm asking you again because that is one stupid motivation for such a famous horror icon. Thirdly, it changes NOTHING. No added drama. No sympathy from Michael or Lorie. It's completely pointless and adds nothing to the subsequent scenes after its reveal. That's bad writing, full stop. Again, we get no backstory about Michael's mystical powers and why he's so hard to kill. Therefore, I'm gonna say it, Michael Myers is a boring villain. All he does is walk VERY, VERY slowly and hardly kills anyone. When he does kill, more often than not, the kills are underwhelming and cheap. All except one kill in a boiling hot bath which burns a woman's face which is easily the standout moment in both of these films. All in all, another crap entry in what's said to be the best horror franchise ever. Better than Friday, better than Nightmare, better than Scream. Well, right now, I'd rather watch Jason Takes Manhattan than this crap. Please, just please, let this franchise improve, or I'll worry about the upcoming entry.

Gresh854 I can't lie, Halloween II vastly exceeded my expectations. It's a rare horror sequel that actually respectively works. Yah, occasionally it gets cheesy and predictable, but coming off of John Carpenter's classic, I thought it did quite well. Also, the "Hot Tub" and the "Blind Myers" sequences were exhilaratingly as hell. (My Shocking Verdict: A-)

gabegiddens Halloween II is honestly a fantastic film. Jamie Curtis and Donald Pleasence are once again fantastic. Michael Myers is still the most menacing slasher villain, and the music is amazing. This movie did suffer from unnecessarily gory kills unlike the first one. In this film there were also more inconsistencies. But in the end, this is a great film.

bayardhiler Sequels are, by nature, hard to do for one is essentially trying to recapture that magic that made the original so good. Very few actually succeed. However, every now and then, someone actually makes a sequel worth seeing. Case in point, 1981's "Halloween II". Though I can't say it's as good as the first, it does manage to retain some of the magic and suspense that made the original so good. The story picks up exactly where the first one left off: Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) shoots Michael Myers six times but as we all now doesn't die. From there, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is taken to the local hospital but as we soon discover, Michael isn't done with her, and it's here that we discover the famous motive behind Michael's madness; Laurie Strode is Michael's sister. It's a fight for survival as Michael goes the hospital staff one by one until only Laurie is left, and is forced to face the horror of Michael once again.Written and produced by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, "Halloween II" was a film that wasn't supposed to be made, as Carpenter and Hill didn't believe that a sequel was necessary. But when money enters the picture, people have a funny way of changing their minds. In many cases, such a scenario is a recipe for disaster. I know that Carpenter himself has said he's not impressed with the script he wrote (going as far as to say the only thing that helped him through the writing of it was a six pack of Budwieser). But I don't think he should be so hard on himself, for unlike most sequels - especially horror ones - "Halloween II" works. Though Carpenter didn't direct it, the movie still has the Carpenter feel to it, as since many of the same crew of the original also worked on this one. The one who did direct, Rick Rosenthal (Before he directed the atrocious "Halloween Resurrection") manages to weave a very good, effective, atmospheric tale of a killer stalking a hospital in the dead of night, and deserves to be congratulated here. It also helps that Carpenter's original theme and score gets an 80's makeover, courtesy of electronic composer Alan Howarth (someone I've had the pleasure of meeting personally), which I must say, makes the Halloween theme that much more effective and creepy! But above all, another important quality is the acting. Everyone here does a fine job, from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance to Leo Rossi and Lance Guest. Whenever a character dies, we feel for them. It's one of those instances where one feels a strong sense of camaraderie among the actors, something that is very rare in any movie. Some of criticized this as being slow, and I'll admit it does take longer for the film to get going. But the feeling of suspense is still there throughout the picture, and I myself consider this the best of the "Halloween" sequels, and look just as forward to it every time fall rolls around as I do the original. Happy Halloween!!!!