Four years after her last encounter with masked killer Michael Myers, Laurie Strode is living with her granddaughter and trying to finish her memoir. Myers hasn't been seen since, and Laurie finally decides to liberate herself from rage and fear and embrace life. However, when a young man stands accused of murdering a boy that he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that forces Laurie to confront the evil she can't control.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Rohan Campbell & James Jude Courtney.
After the heavily flawed, yet enjoyable entry into Halloween franchise with ‘Halloween Kills’, it was fair to assume this one would follow its same fashion. With Jamie Lee Curtis & John Carpenter’s passion for this franchise, fans have been dying over anticipation for Halloween Ends to tie the bow nicely for Halloween lovers.
It isn’t without saying that Halloween Ends has a clear vision behind the film, but not one that meets the fans, nor the franchise’s needs. Halloween Ends is a slugfest with writing and directing that one would expect a first time director to do, not someone like David Gordon Green, who’s track record is full of ups and downs. This film takes a completely different direction entirely with our lead character being introduced in the rather confusing opening scene, offering nothing but questions for all fans.
Reaching the 40 minute mark, I started to question whether Michael Myers was even going to show up as at this point we had invested so much time with our new “protagonist”, there was no point committing itself to being a Halloween film. But instead a new, cliche serial killer narrative that spends more time trying to get us to sympathise with this character, than communicating any sort of theme or new perspective to walk out of the theatre with.
It goes without saying that, despite the devilishly confusing narrative and directorial choices, audiences could have a lot of fun if they begin to accept the craziness of the events ensuing for its 1hr 51 minute runtime. I even found myself smiling along with the choices that David took, while commenting on the awkward editing that left me wondering…
was it a comedy?
A question I raised many times, a question that to some, a valid one. The “horror” that fans have come to love in these films, have flew out of the window and substituted for a mindless love story between innocence and violence. And how both are easily corrupted in an environment built on fear of the man in the shadows, Michael Myers who we all hope is eating well in the sewers he has been hiding in for the past 4 years.
While much more to talk about with spoilers, I’d rather leave you with the expectation for disappointment if you’re looking for a perfect end to the Halloween franchise that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth. Nothing impressive with its filmmaking or narrative, Halloween Ends could end up being an enjoyable and confusing ride for some.
