"Halloween"'s importance: establishing most of the slasher rules.

Rating: 10/10 (23 October 2004)

Often reffered as the "greatest slasher movie of all time", John Carpenter's "Halloween" is a basic element for the genre.
A lot has been discussed about "Halloween"'s inspiration on 1974 slasher "Black Christmas". It has been said that John Carpenter's movie was meant to be a sequel to the 1974 cult classic but it has never been confirmed; but if you've seen both movies you will find many similarities. Also, it's been said that "Halloween" is the first slasher flick of all time. I won't even discuss about it. Those topics are very important for die hard fans of the movie and horror fans in general. In my opinion, the relevance of both topics consists in giving "Halloween" the place it deserves in the history of horror movies.
This movie surely inspired most of the 80's slasher movies and that's something to say. The Michael Myers character is an institution in the genre. John Carpenter is one of the most respected directors in the genre. The score for the movie is supreme and probably the most popular from the genre. Jamie Lee Curtis is to date the "Scream Queen" of the slasher movies. Donald Pleasence's character is also a role model and a necessary reference in EVERY slasher movie. The acting is excellent. Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a brilliant performance as she is extremely cute, beautiful, and knows how to scream and show fear. Donald Pleasence is also excellent.
Setting the standards was "Halloween"'s most important accomplishment.
There's no gore but it isn't necessary here. That's probably the only "rule" that "Halloween" didn't establish as 1980's "Friday the 13th" started the whole gore in slasher flicks thing.
The storyline is simple but scary. Myers killed his 23 year old sister when he was 6; since then he's been a patient in a mental sanitarium until he escapes on Halloween night 1978. Nobody knows where he's heading neither what are his motives. Haddonfield, Illinois has a reason to fear. Meanwhile Laurie Strode has visions of a man dressed in black following her. She thinks it's her imagination but later in Halloween night the nightmare materializes.
The 3 deaths that the movie offers are simply great. There's so much suspense, tension, and the feeling of not knowing what's going to hapen that the scenes are truly scary. Myers looks scary as hell and the way he acts gives him a more menacing look.
"Halloween" is an important part of horror cinema history and that's enough to own it. Witness the movie that started the craziness for masked killers, butcher knifes, frightening chasing scenes and much more.
10/10. -The first slasher movie to watch if you want to get into the genre. -The movie to watch at night when it's raining. -A basic movie for the genre, it gives a name to fear in movies.