Halloween

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2012)

In 1978, John Carpenter shocked film audiences around the world with his horror masterpiece "Halloween," effectively creating a new sub-genre of horror film, the slasher, and spawning countless copycats and sequels throughout the 80's and 90's. But what was it about Carpenter's influential masterpiece that initiated the so-called slasher craze? Carpenter effectively crafted "Halloween" to instill suspense and fear into its viewers and influence filmmakers for decades.
"Halloween" follows good-girl Laurie Strode, and her friends, Annie and Lynda, on a typical Halloween night. Little do they know, escaped murderer Michael Myers has been following them, and their Halloween night will not turn out as they had expected. "Halloween" begins shocking its audience right from the opening sequence. The unique point-of-view, behind the mask, continuous shot of the vicious murder of Judith Myers puts the audience right in the antagonists shoes. It is soon revealed that the point of view is from six year old Michael Myers, who blankly at the camera, holding a bloody butcher knife.
Carpenter shifts the focal point onto Laurie Strode and her friends, as well as Myers' doctor Sam Loomis, who is obsessively hunting him. Carpenter carefully paces this part of the film, creating ample suspense with shots of Myers standing in the background unnoticed, stalking our protagonist, until the final half hour of the film when Myers finally strikes and complete terror unfolds upon the audience.
The main quality of this film that denotes it as one of the greatest horror films of all time is its use of suspense and the unknown to scare viewers. Myers' motives for what he is doing are completely unknown. The only explanation, given by Dr. Loomis, is that he is "pure evil." This is characterized perfectly by the blank, white mask Myers wears throughout the film. Carpenter also uses film techniques to create suspense and instill fear into viewers. You have no clue where he is, and where he could strike next. One of the main things that sticks with audiences is the score of the film. From the eerie main theme, to the bone chilling zing that plays at the most surprising moments, the score perfectly reflects the events in the film and strengthens the emotions of the audience. Carpenter also selects the best shots to use, and is constantly reminding us the Michael Myers could be anywhere, stalking Laurie and her friends. With Halloween, Carpenter proved that you don't need a big budget and flashy effects to create a masterpiece. Produced independently with just $320,000, "Halloween" scared generations with its eerie score, dimly lit scenes, and precisely constructed shots. "Halloween" personifies fear and gives it a name: Michael Myers. Fans of horror films will surely love it, and it is a must see for anyone who enjoys getting spooked. Three decades later, John Carpenter's" Halloween" is still just as frightening as it was when it was released, and it doesn't rely on blood and gore or modern "shock tactics" to scare the pants off audiences.