The Start of Some of the Weakest Films Ever Produced

Rating: Null/10 (31 October 2000)

"Halloween" could be considered the "Citizen Kane" of modern horror films in the fact that it paved the way for numerous other films of the kind (seven "Halloween" films, nine "Friday the 13th" films, and seven "Nightmare on Elm Street" films). Unfortunately, as far as the cinema is concerned, this was not the start of anything special. The evil Michael Myers is a masked and crazed slasher who will do anything to kill his little sister (a very young Jamie Lee Curtis). It is never really explained why he is after her, but he is. Psychiatrist Donald Pleasance is the expert who knows that Myers must be stopped. Pleasance is solid (as he usually is in these films) and Curtis shows a glimmer of potential here. The screenplay is pretty weak, but the direction over-achieves. Overall a fair horror film that is nothing special, but looks like a masterpiece when compared to its tireless sequels. 2.5 out of 5 stars.