A great film, but not really a horror film

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 1998)

John Carpenter's Halloween is, in my opinion, one of the greatest suspense films ever made. I call it a suspense film, because I do not consider Halloween a 'horror' film. My idea of horror films are The Exorcist and The Evil Dead. I think The Exorcist is the greatest horror film ever made. Carpenter's Halloween does not generate as much horror as it does suspense. In particular, the shot of Jamie Lee Curties frantically trying to open her front door as Michael Myers crosses the street in the background. I consider Halloween an updated version of Hitchcock's Psycho, just as I consider Scream an updated version of Halloween. In both cases, the earlier film is better. Both films feature memorable scores that contribute heavily to the mood and suspense of the film. Halloween is definitely worth viewing over and over. But do make an effort to get the film in widescreen. Pan&Scan does not do justice to Carpenter's wonderful cinematography. I give Halloween a 10 out of 10.