Still gives me the shivers after 20 years...

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2000)

I first saw this movie in 1980, when I was 18. I was absolutely enthralled even then. Of course, my mind was still young and relatively impressionable, so it's no surprise that when I readied myself to watch it the second time round, I was prepared to be bored.
To my utter amazement and somewhat disgrace, I was even more scared. And for the entirely same reasons as in 1980. The thought of a mindless maniac stalking the streets of American apple-pie suburbia appeals to the basest instincts in us all.
What more can I say? There is no doubt that it is the most successful horror series, not counting Scream. The villain is just indescribably evil: the lack of emotion and the lack of detail on his featureless mask make for a truly feared opponent. His methodical slashing of his victims and complete lack of care strikes terror into criminals and goodies alike.
The heroine is perfect. Virginal and straight-laced, she is not a beautiful blonde but your ordinary girl next door (not without her prettiness, though). She is clearly terrified of Myers, as one should be, and her determination to avoid him portrays natural feelings better than other films of the slasher sub-genre.
Even the victims are perfect. Foul mouthed, partying, sex-mad teenagers, loaded with alcohol and God knows what else. The film clearly sends out a moral here, one that only fools will miss.
And we must not forget the admirable Donald Pleasence, who devoted most of his life to on-screen psychiatrist Dr. Loomis. He is as methodical as Myers in his pursual; as determined as Myers to track him down. He is intelligent and knows Myers, yet is still always surprised at what he does next. He shows all the emotions of human beings.
Well, I must finish my worshipping there. Forget mindless rip-offs like Friday the 13th. This is the ORIGINAL slasher film, and still very much the best.