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Halloween Kills Blu-ray Review

Evil dies tonight!

Picking up where 2018’s “Halloween” left off, “Halloween Kills” finds Michael Myers escaping the flaming house and embarking on a massive killing spree across Haddonfield. After learning that Myers is wreaking havoc, a group of locals (including legacy characters like Tommy Doyle, Lindsey Wallace, Marion Chambers and Lonnie Elam) decide to form a mob to end Michael’s reign of terror once and for all. Allyson (Laurie’s daughter), Karen (Laurie’s granddaughter) and Sheriff Brackett later join the hunt. Elsewhere in the story, Laurie is healing up at the hospital alongside Sheriff Hawkins who harbors a haunting secret from 1978.

After being a bit underwhelmed by 2018’s “Halloween,” writers David Gordon Green (who also directed) and Danny McBride bounced back with a sequel that hits all the right notes for this longtime Halloween fan. Not only was Myers scary again (not to mention brutal), but this installment actually has something to say. It’s not a mindless slasher as the story explored timely themes about mob rule, PTSD, fear, community and trauma. 

If you’re a Halloween fan, this sequel also pays tribute to the entire franchise while also telling its own original story. The story heavily connects to the 1978 original (with some surprising flashbacks to boot), tips its cap to “Halloween 2” with Laurie in the hospital, contains the costumes from “Halloween 3: Season Of The Witch,” expands upon the town mob plotline from “Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers” and even digs into the concept of Michael’s house being occupied ala “Halloween: Resurrection.” Whether the later was intentional, I don’t know, but it’s a nice touch nonetheless.

In terms of the actual story, the fans seem to be a bit divided about it, but to me, it works as a middle chapter. Laurie may take a back seat here, but seeing Green and McBride explore Haddonfield and the other characters more was a nice change of pace. It was especially rewarding to see the characters of Lindsey and Tommy return. Would it have been nice to see Tommy played by Paul Rudd again? Absolutely, but Anthony Michael Hall does an admirable job in the role. 

Once again, it has to be said that the score is aces here. John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies create a perfect blend of old and new themes that mix so well together (especially in the context of the movie). It will be a thrill to see what the trio whip up for “Halloween Ends” later this year. 

Note: This disc contains the theatrical cut and the 4 minute longer extended cut which includes an alternate ending that was better left on the cutting room floor. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? I have no complaints about this transfer. It’s beautifully done. Note: This title is also available on 4K. clean

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? You can never go wrong with Atmos. It always delivers a layered sound.

Extras:
* DVD copy
* Digital copy
* 3 deleted/extended scenes
* An amusing 3 minute gag reel.
* “Haddonfield’s Open Wounds”- A featurette about this sequel, its themes, and its characters. Interviews and set footage are included.
* “The Kill Team”- A look at the crew members.
* “Strode Family Values”- A featurette on the Strode family.
* “1978 Transformations”- This extra covers the 1978 segments.
* “The Power Of Fear”- This featurette covers the townspeople of Haddonfield and their story.
* “Kill Count”- A quick look at the kills (there’s 31!).
* Commentary by David Gordon Green, Jamie Lee Curtis and Judy Greer.

January 15, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Halloween, Halloween 2018, Halloween Ends, Halloween Kills Blu-ray Review, Halloween Movies, Horror Movie, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Myers