Halloween Ends – REVIEW
Halloween Ends is the final in this iconic slasher film franchise which reportedly left sensitive movie goers refusing to switch off the lights at night after watching the first installment in 1978.
Michael Myers who is one the most iconic slasher movie villains in film history returns on Halloween night to have a final showdown with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) – but who will be the victor?
Anticipation is huge amongst the fanbase of this franchise, but does the final Halloween edition live up to expectations and bow out with a big bang? Unfortunately not, as the film is disappointing – an extremely underwhelming send-off to be precise.
The principle problem lies in the story. Michael Myers takes the back seat seemingly as the ‘support’ slayer while most of the story centres on developing a younger Michael Myers wannabe – a Michael Myer’s ‘apprentice of sorts’.
Naturally there are intermittent gore scenes and some jump scare moments in the first laborious three quarters of the film, their purpose being to keep audiences from falling asleep leading up to the highly publicised final showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode.
The problem with this alleged showdown, which is the drawcard of the film, is that its duration was just too short, seemingly gone in 60 seconds!
Audiences are introduced to an array of typically stereotyped characters including an unhinged young brat pack and it’s quite obvious who won’t survive Halloween night!
Kyle Richards who stars in the trashy Real Housewives of Beverly Hills appeared in the original as a child and reprises her role in a pointless ‘blink and you’ll miss’ couple of scenes.
The only redeeming features of this film are the disturbing musical score by John Carpenter and several clever lines in the dialogue uttered by Laurie Strode; “I thought you were the boogey man but you’re just a man who’s about to stop breathing!” and “Evil doesn’t die – it changes shape”.
Twas definitely the time to lay this franchise to rest – but is it really the end?
★★
In cinemas from October 13.
