In Haddonfield, Illinois, the nine years old Michael Meyers is raised by a dysfunctional family: his mother Deborah is a stripper in a night-club; his foster father Ronnie is an alcoholic bum; his sister Judith is a easy girl; and he is connected to his baby sibling. On October, 31st, after an incident in school where he is bullied by a schoolmate, Michael overhears the conversation of the principal and the psychiatric Dr. Samuel Loomis with his mother. They had found pictures of Michael torturing animals in his backpack and Dr. Loomis would like to send Michael for psychiatric evaluation believing that the boy is deranged. This revelation triggers Michael that escapes from the school and kills the bully, Ronnie, Judith's boyfriend Steve Haley and his sister Judith. Michael is held in custody in the Smith's Grove Sanatorium under the treatment of Dr. Loomis. Eleven months later, during the visit of his mother, Michael kills his nurse and his stressed mother commits suicide. Fifteen years later, Michael escapes from the mental institution leaving bloodshed behind, and heads to Haddonfield in the Halloween's night.

The dreaded remake has finally made its way into the Halloween franchise. OH NO! What are we going to expect to see. Well, wait a minute...Rob Zombie wrote and directed this film...well he has gone on record saying how much of a fan of the original film, and the franchise he is. Hell he was even in the 25 Years of Terror documentary. Could this actually be something that isn't garbage. Let's find out.

Unlike many remakes that come out...this does not fall into either of the two cliches. It is neither a direct shot-for-shot remake, and it also doesn't throw the original material aside and do its own thing. This movie is actually very faithful to the original movie, and that was a pleasure to me. With this being directed by Rob Zombie, I knew going into it two things....1. It was going to be brutal as all hell. And 2. Sheri Moon Zombie was going to be in it.

The biggest difference in this film, is my biggest complaint with the film. They spend WAY too much time with Michael as a child. Sure, extend the time bit before he kills his sister...that's fine. If they wanted to portray that Michael did these heinous things because of a violent home life, fine. It does happen. I don't think that needs to be the reason for Michael...but it is something different. Hell, in the original film he killed one person before he escaped...his sister. In this version, you get that brutality right up front. He kills four people, and a handful of animals before he is even locked up. Damn, that is impressive. I was with them on that. And I know the story in the originals was always about Michael and Loomis...but once he is locked up...they spend a lot of time on that relationship. And it was a little lost on me. I just didn't care for it at all. And his mom was always there for him...even though he killed everyone else in his house...except his baby sister...how sweet. Why would she be there. Did she really think he would be ok. No...she offs herself, and won't come back again....until the sequel?

Anywho...from the time he escapes, things get pretty on par with the original...even to keeping some on the original iconic dialogue in the film. And the iconic ghost sheet and bob kill. That put a huge smile on my face...let me tell you. And the pacing of the film felt right. I actually really enjoyed it in in theaters. That being said, I'm going to move on.

The acting was pretty good. I think it was very unrealistic at times, and I understand that happens from time to time...but some of the performances just seemed very over the top. The fact that Sheri Moon was able to dial it back for this role was a huge breath of fresh air for me.

And that is really all I want to say on this movie. I like it, but if I keep writing, I might end up convincing myself that it isn't any good...and I don't want to do that. Is it as good as the original? No...it's different. I recommend you watch the theatrical cut of this movie...not the director's cut. Because I think it is vastly superior. But I do recommend the movie. That cannot be said for what followed this movie. That being Halloween 2: H2.

Till Next Time Kiddies...

-RJ