The best

Rating: 10/10 (13 January 2003)

Right from the film's notorious panaglide shot, "Halloween" promises the best. This is a film of meticulous composition and total brilliance. John Carpenter uses every facet of his 2.35:1 frame with perception, constantly keeping the viewer in suspense. Is Michael lurking in the foreground, the left, the right, or perhaps the background? The viewer is never safe in this film, Michael Myers has been set free to invade the frame. Not only that, but with Carpenter's first person shots, the viewer is thus forced to identify with this personification of evil.
Forget ol' Alfred, this is a work of a genious who was in his own element. This is a John Carpenter film, not a Hitchcock or Hawks film, and in this writers eyes, it is better than any film Hitchock or Hawks has ever done. For more proof compare Carpenter's "The Thing" with Hawks'; there is no comparison.
As the heroin, Jamie Lee Curtis, in her big screen debut, exudes an innocence and charisma unseen in most films. She works as the true opposite to Michael; a heaven to his hell. Had Laurie Strode been played with someone less radiant, then that dichotomy between good and evil would not have been as effective as it is in this film.
Turn out the lights and sit back and prepare to be horrified. Don't cop out and watch this with a friend either, a movie like this is only good when seen alone. With someone else in the room the viewer can laugh at the clothes, the dialogue, etc. But when alone, there is nothing to do but be affraid. This is the best horror film ever made, and arguably the best film ever made. John Carpenter has truly created a horrific masterpiece that should be seen by all respecting film fans. Carving a pumpkin will never be the same again!