This is one of the best horror movies made

Rating: 10/10 (23 October 2006)

"Halloween" is not only a slasher movie classic, but a horror movie classic as well. Much like his other movies such as 1980's "The Fog," John Carpenter does not rely much on gore, but more on suspense and creepiness. The movie is almost 30 years old, and it still holds up today. If you are looking for a horror movie classic, forget about renting it because it is good enough to buy.
On Halloween of 1963, 6-year-old Michael Myers murders his sister, Judith Myers. After the murder, he is locked into a mental institute where Doctor Sam Loomis supervises him. 15 years later, Michael has escaped from the mental institution. He returns to his hometown to stalk a teenager by the name of Laurie Strode and her two friends. Luckily, the only person able to stop Michael is Doctor Sam Loomis.
Since "Halloween" is a horror movie, it needs to do its job in being scary and it did just that. "Halloween" is most famous for that chilling soundtrack composed by John Carpenter. It is hard to make a good scary movie without an excellent soundtrack because it is the music that helps build the suspense. As mentioned above, the movie relies mostly on the suggestive violence then the actual violence. That can be scarier then just showing someone's limbs cut off and blood splattered everywhere.
The real accomplishment of this movie is not of its suggestive violence but from the influence this film has made. Without the first "Halloween," there would be no Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees because there would be no "Nightmare on Elm Street" or "Friday the 13th." This movie started the slasher film craze of the 1980's and 1990's. The "survival of the virgins" theme is also commonly used in those slasher movies and without this movie, that theme would be nonexistent.
The acting is wonderful. Jamie Lee Curtis, in her movie debut, shows why she is the "scream queen" by playing Laurie Strode. The best character is Doctor Sam Loomis played by Donald Pleasence. Tony Moran was scary playing the non-speaking Michael Myers himself. Nancy Kyes as Annie Brackett, and P.J. Soles as Lynda van der Klok, get minor roles as Laurie's friends. Kyle Richards as Lindsey Wallace and Brian Andrews as Tommy Doyle did a good job as the kids that Laurie is baby sitting. There is also Charles Cyphers, who was also in "The Fog," who played Sheriff Leigh Brackett.
There is nothing wrong with this film, but if there had to be one, it would the fact that if "Halloween" had come out today, it would seem very cliché. If you are a first time viewer, view this as if it was 1978 instead of 2006. There is one minor script error, but most probably would not catch it. In conclusion, if you are looking for the perfect scary movie, skip the rental just purchase it. "Halloween" is extremely recommended!