HALLOWEEN ENDS

US, 2022, 111 minutes, Colour.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Andy Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Rohan Campbell, Will Patton, Michael Barbieri, Joanne Barron, Rick Moose.

Directed by David Gordon Green.

Will the franchise really end? There have been promises of co in thenclusions in the past but somehow or other a sequel has always emerged. It really looks that this time, especially concerning Michael Myers and his decades of menace and murder, has found its conclusion. However, as Laurie Strode is writing her autobiographical version of what happened, she does suggest that evil lives on in various forms!

(In fact, some of the bloggers, perhaps not wanting the series to end, but highly critical of this film, say that the ending here is a really not an ending, that the film is a fake, and they are waiting for a real ending – this has the sound not of a fan, but of a fanatic!)

This is the third of the last Halloween films and it has been directed by David Gordon Green. They reintroduced Laurie Strode, Jamie Lee Curtis, deaths in her family, her relationship with her granddaughter, Allyson, the impact of the history of Michael Myers, her drinking, her rehabilitation. Which means that in this film, she has a certain gravitas, a concerned grandmother, the butt of criticisms in the town because of her association with Michael Myers, but doing the best with her granddaughter, worried about her relationship with a young mechanic.

In fact, the initial focus is on the mechanic, young, awkward, with a harridan of a mother but has a large, quietly gentle father, doing a babysitting job which, to his surprise and, definitely to ours, ends in tragedy. He also becomes targeted in the town, especially by a group of arrogant bullies. At one stage, he is thrown over a fence, down an incline which leads to a tunnelling drainage area where he, and we, discover Michael Myers living in hiding! It seems that the young man looks into Michael Myers’ eyes and there is transference. What happens to the young man is a variation on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Which is interesting in itself.

But, the young man is attracted towards Laurie’s granddaughter and (it is a bit hard for us in the audience to believe this) she is attracted to him. But, with his erratic behaviour and attitudes Laurie is wary.

The police chief from the previous films, Frank (Will Patton) is still around – carrying a torch for Laurie.

Because the first part of the film does not have so much suspense nor gory killings, some of the fans have dismissed it, telling the producers that they should have been making the usual slasher interpretation of Halloween and not be trying to do a psychological film. However, many of the audience would probably prefer these aspects of the psychology. But, of course, with Michael Myers on the loose and the young man under his influence, there are a number of killings, and vengeance on bullies. And danger for the granddaughter. And, needless to say, but we have to say, the buildup to the final confrontation between Laurie and Michael Myers, the culmination of 44 years of Halloween films, the horror of Michael Myers, the sadness of Laurie.

So, the end of an era. (That Hollywood has always been open to a sequel, one way or another.)

1. The long history of Halloween films? John Carpenter and his invention, continuing as executive producer, contributing to the musical score? Over 44 years?
2. The three films by David Gordon Green, reintroducing Laurie? The return to the town, the family situation, suspicions in the town, Michael Myers and his return, wreaking havoc?
3. Going back to the town, Illinois, Middle America? Homes and apartments? The police? Shops? The streets? Ordinary people, ordinary life, the celebration, Halloween?
4. The introduction to Corey, age, awkward, babysitter, the cheeky boy, the parents, going out, playing the games, the boy locking Corey in the room, his breaking out, the boy falling to his death, the parents’ reaction? The court finding it an accident? Corey becoming a victim in the town, groups bullying him, the physical assaults, at home, his work, his kindly father, the bicycle, the gift of the motor bike? His severe mother? His encounter with Alillyson? Attracted to her?
5. The place of Laurie in the town, people blaming her for Michael Myers? Over the years, drinking, recovery, family deaths, relationship with her granddaughter? Writing her autobiography? The meeting with Frank, his attentions to her, flowers and gifts? Her suspicions about Corey, warning Allyson, Allyson reacting against her grandmother?
6. Allyson and Corey, on the bike, the outings, the bond between them?
7. Corey, the bullies, thrown over the fence, the tunnels, the drains, the appearance of Michael Myers? The scruffy old man, his warnings? Michael Myers looking into Corey’s eyes? Transfer of power?
8. Corey, his vengeance, yet his bewilderment, the bullies at his father’s yard, shooting his father? The pursuit of vengeance? The Michael Myers mask?
9. Michael Myers, with Corey? The Jekyll and Hyde situation for Corey? The killings, slashing?
10. Allyson, wanting to leave, the attraction to Corey, defying her grandmother? His finally returning to the house?
11. Corey, coming to the house, Laurie’s attack, Corey and his death, the mask, Michael Myers entering, slashing Corey, the buildup to the confrontation between Laurie and Michael Myers, and saying she was going to kill herself? His finding her, the fight, Alison’s presence, her confining Michael Myers, his hands, killing him?
12. Halloween ends, Frank and his attentions, Allyson and her leaving, Laurie free, finishing her writing – but noting that evil comes in various forms? Actually the ending – or not?