It's good, but not THAT good

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2000)

MORD39 RATING: *** out of ****
This is a good horror movie, but it's NOT great, nor is it the "best horror film of all time". I think its reputation has gotten a bit out of control lately, and here's why:
First, there isn't much going on during the film and when the shocks arrive they aren't that sensational after so many years and clones to this slasher pic. I think HALLOWEEN is the unfortunate victim of too many rip-offs blunting its sharp edge. It now looks like just another one of its own knock-off's.
Where I feel the film is effective is in its atmosphere; you really get that "Halloween Time" feeling, and it seems just like Fall. Michael Myers is a chilling presence as well, at least in the first couple of films.
Donald Pleasence is priceless as the obsessed doctor who wants to keep Michael locked up for everyone's own good. He is vital to the success and classic status this film continues to enjoy.
Jamie Lee Curtis is way too mature-looking to be convincing as a school girl, but she delivers when the time comes to be frightened out of her wits.
The music is one of the best ever created for a horror film, even though I think it was copied from THE EXORCIST'S "Tubular Bells" a little.
John Carpenter's direction is nice, and he knows what to do to set up scary shots. But he's not quite Alfred Hitchcock.
-Which leads me to my final point: HALLOWEEN isn't the first true slasher movie; that honor goes to a movie made nearly twenty years earlier....it's called PSYCHO.