A genuine classic!

Rating: 8/10 (2 November 2002)

This film is a genuine classic of the horror genre and not for nothing is it the most celebrated of slasher movies. Contrary to popular myth it's not the first movie of it's kind (nor is the also terrifying "Black Christmas") but what makes it a classic is the performances, writing, cinematography, editing and above all it's flawlessly crafted by John Carpenter who was at the time a master of his craft. Not only is his directing effective but his theme for the movie is one of the most recognisable horror film themes and gives the film a sense of ominous foreboding throughout. The direction also gives a sense of unease to even the daylight scenes. Donald Pleasance, Jamie Leigh Curtis, Charles Cypher, Nancy Loomis and PJ Soles all give great performances in the film and the teen characters are well observed. The film spends just enough time with the teen characters to convince you that they are believable characters. Nancy Loomis and PJ Soles have some amusing quips throughout the film that keep the teen scenes enjoyable. Dr Loomis is a great character and Donald Pleasance gives a quirky neurotic performance that can be both amusing and gives some gravitas to the proceedings when he rants about how evil and dangerous Michael Myers is (and the film gives us no reason to doubt this). Some superb scares and thrills throughout. This film scared the hell out of me when I was a kid and still packs a punch. One scene in particular will always have you checking the back seat of a car before getting in. The end of the movie when Laurie Strode finds out what has been happening to her friends and discovers that there really is a
"boogey man" is tense and gripping throughout up to the end credits. John Carpenter was my favourite director when I was a
kid and this is a masterful exercise in why that was.