The evil.

Rating: Null/10 (24 January 2004)

Some might dismiss this as weak storytelling and pretensious moviemaking. But no, the by the book textbook horror techniques employed by John Carpenter in HALLOWEEN are worth being studied for the aspiring moviemaker who would like to study the essence of what suspense really is and what defines SCARY and what distinquishes SCARY from just merely being GRISLY. This is a number of cliches packed into one brilliantly directed 90 minute horror film and its only originality comes in the simplicity of the story. There are some scenes that are predictable, but it was meant to be that way. We dont want PJ Soles to go back into the car. We wanna scream at Laurie for going to the house across the street. Horror is also about misdirection as Carpenter says in his commentary. Letting us know where he think he's gonna go but surprising us really effectively. This will forever be a classic in my book and my guiltypleasure favorite in the genre. Grade A-