Customer Reviews

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

5 star:		(117)
4 star:		(91)
3 star:		(65)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Halloween 4 is a terrific entry in the best slasher series of all time. While it doesn't have quite the all-pervading atmosphere, suspense, and general gloom and doom of the incomparable original, it more than lives up to the Halloween tradition. To me, the key to this movie's success is the acting talent of both Donald Pleasance (Dr. Loomis) and young newcomer Danielle Harris (Michael's niece Jamey). Disfigured from his encounter with Michael ten years earlier, Dr. Loomis strides through this movie as the avenging hero he is, having to convince foolish minds that Michael has returned home to wreak havoc yet again. Of course, you can blame a couple of paramedics for tipping Michael off that he still has a living relative, namely his sister Laurie's little girl Jamie (Laurie has supposedly died in an accident a year earlier). After Michael is transferred out from under Loomis' nose, he naturally escapes and begins leaving a trail of bodies on his way to Haddonfield. Loomis is right behind him, intent on saving the little girl from her evil uncle. The young Danielle Harris gives an incredible performance for someone so young, conveying emotion and fear quite convincingly. After this movie came out, I remember hearing some criticism of terrorizing such a young person in this type of horror atmosphere, and Harris spoke quite eloquently on the subject from her perspective. She brings to this movie talent well beyond her years.

Surprisingly, this movie is not altogether that graphic. We rarely get to see the actual coup de grace of each killing (and in a couple of cases we don't even see the actual murder), and even the remains of the slain never exhibit much blood loss. Of course, Michael uses a variety of means (including his bare hands) to murder his victims here. I for one missed the guy's trademark knifings. He does get hold of a knife eventually, but, sadly, he doesn't get much of a chance to use it. As for Michael himself, it is easy to see that the man behind the mask is not the original "shape" Nick Castle. George P. Wilbur has a slightly different build, and he just doesn't have the malevolent presence Castle possessed. He is strong in the category of standing still and watching from the shadows, but he is a little awkward in his movements and often seems to be patterning them on those of King Kong.

This movie has some really nice touches to it, several that strongly call to mind pivotal scenes from the original. Another master stroke is the conclusion, which certainly surprised me when I first saw it. Far too often a trite ending can ruin one's impression of an otherwise good horror movie, but Halloween 4 offers evidence of how much a terrific ending can increase one's enjoyment of an already satisfying experience. By inserting a whole new chapter in the Michael Myers saga, Halloween 4 actually injected the series with newfound life (and blood); it certainly excited me as a fan, and that is something that most sequels of sequels simply do not do.

"Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" is actually quite a good continuation, despite what some people say about sequels. It picks up 10 years after "Halloween II" ended. Michael Myers ends up in a coma after being blown up in the operating room in II. He awakens when being transferred to another hospital after he overhears he has a niece in Haddonfield, Jamie Lloyd, the daughter of Laurie Strode, who is dead (or so we thought). He ends up traveling to Haddonfield and here we are treated to what made the original such a success. Less blood, more suspense, tight scenes and a dark atmosphere are all prevalent in this entry. Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) is now scarred and crippled after also being blown up with Myers, and he teams up with Sheriff Meeker (Beau Starr) to stop what could be a repeat of what happened 10 years before that. With Jamie Lee Curtis absent, the "scream queen" duties fall to Ellie Cornell as Rachel, Jamie's step-sister. She does a terrific job and she has some great lines in this one. The ending is definitely the best of the whole series, and it still gives me the creeps to this very day. Rent Halloween 4 for a good scare.

Halloween 4, The Return of Michael Myers, in my opinion, is a spectacular beginning for the story told in 4-6. Like Jamie Lee Curtis, actress Danielle Harris makes her big debut with Michael Myers in this excellent sequel. Also returning is Donald Pleasance as Dr. Loomis, the hero, not 'the mad doctor'. This movie had one of the best actors playing Michael, George P. Wilbur. His portrayal of Myers was well-acted, although the loud muffled breathing heard in 1 & 2 is absent. This movie had just the right pace for me, with great drama and a great remix of the Halloween theme written by John Carpenter. However, if Loomis couldn't stop Michael with eleven gunshots and a fire, what makes the State Troopers think they can kill him with a few dozen shots? One thing they don't understand is that Michael is not a normal human being. Get that through your skulls! Of course he can't be killed, or else it would be the end of what becomes a great horror series. The Halloween movies are well-acted and filmed, unlike most of the Friday the 13th movies. By the way, does anyone else think that Jason Voorhees, while intimidating, is just a cheap knockoff of Michael? Michael debuted in 1978, while Jason didn't show up until 1981.

I have to say, I love the Halloween series! This is my favorite sequal. It takes the story ten years into the future, and has plenty of chills, kills, and thrills to go around. Then ending is awesome! Yes it's a sequal, it's not better than the original, but it's still really good!

To be honest, when I was younger (I'm eleven) when I was probaby nine, I never really saw the Halloween Movies. This had the be the first Halloween I saw, and it had scenes that are gems and scary sequences that shouldn't end. It scares me and I watch that movie every time it came on TV, and it seems pretty edited in a fair way. But when I watched it on DVD, it seems the same to me. This movie had a good plot: JAMIE, the daughter and relative of Laurie Strode is going trick o' treating one Halloween night with her babysitter who Laurie also babysat, the beauty RACHEL. They are off on Halloween, aware of their surroundings because Michael Myers, Jamie's uncle, can be anywhere, holding that knife and slashing all the naked people (did I say naked people? There's a blonde that gets naked and she gets killed - so right). As evil lurk the streets, this is the most dangerous night or the bloodiest night of all.

Watch it / it's worth it

It's been 10 years after the explosion at the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, and Michael Myers(George P. Wilbur) lays comatose at Ridgemont Maximum Security Institute. On October 30,1988 Michael is to be transferred to Smith's Grove. On the ambulance one of the paramedics mentions Michael's niece Jamie (Danielle Harris)living in Haddonfield. The shape rises up and murders the passengers on board the ambulance. Early in the morning the police and Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) search through the wreckage of the ambulance. When Dr.Loomis finds no sign of Myers he heads back to Haddonfield to search for his nemesis.

Meanwhile, back in Haddonfield we are introduced to the Carruthers, a good foster family who have adopted Jamie Lloyd after the death of her mother (Laurie Strode).On halloween night Jamie goes trick-or-treating and is unaware that the shape is after her. But a major obstacle stands in Michael's way, Jamie's foster sister Rachel(Ellie Cornell). This all leads to an exciting climax and a shocking ending.

Halloween 4,in my opinion, is a great sequel in the series.In my opinion, Halloween 2 is the best sequel in the series. All the castmembers do a great a job with their roles. Donald Pleasence does another excellent job. Ellie Cornell makes a great heroine. And Danielle Harris is an extraordinary actress considering her age. Also George P. Wilbur makes a good Michael Myers.

The DVD is great too. It's presented in a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer. The picture is extremely clear. There is a Theatrical Trailer and a documentary Halloween 4: The Final Cut.

After I went on about how good the sequel is, there are some things that keep it from being the best sequel. First of all, the dialogue at times can be laughable. Although, the acting from the three leads is solid, the lines they have to say can be tiresome. In the documentary, Alan B. McElroy explains how he had 11 days to come up with a script and get it to the studio. Well, it kind of shows. But I don't blame him. Also, jumping from location to location does down some of the suspense. It jumps from seeing Jamie and Rachel trick-or-treating to the police station, to the sheriff's house, then the elementary school, then back to the Carruthers house. It gets kind of old and non-scary, because we kind of lost Michael in the process. In the original Halloween they stayed with one location and that made it scarier. This is,however, a very satisfying sequel.

A lot of people will hate to hear me say it, but this is my favorite HALOWEEN movie! I think mainly because I grew up with it. I was born the year the original came out so I didn't get to see it in theatres like I did this one. For me, this was the introduction of Michael Myers and Dr. Loomis (though I have of course seen the previous films since).
This sequel is very close in plot to the original film it just has a bigger budget. Michael Myers has come back to Haddonfield, only instead of his sister, it's his niece (Danielle Harris) that he's after. And of course, several innocent teenagers get in his way.
Donald Pleasance can do no wrong. Personally, I think with his death so should have come the death of this franchise. These movies are not the same since Pleasance passed. In this film, Pleasances character is more determined and crazed than he was in the first two films and the audience is better off for it.
I can't praise Danielle Harris performance enough. She was only ten yesr old when she made this movie and she does a great job. Since, though, I haven't seen in her in hardly anything other than the URBAN LEGEND.
This, like I said, is the best in the series to me. I watch it every Halloween and I can't praise it enough. Kudos to Dwight H. Little.

If you want the full horror scale of the HALLOWEEN spectacular, simply watch the first two, skip three, and watch this. Then, do not bother with any of the others. Originally, Carpenter and Hill wanted to make several movies which took place on Halloween but did not have to be related by story. The first HALLOWEEN story proved too long for one film, and thus we have 1 and 2. When they made 3 it was too late. People loved and desired more Mike. HALLOWEEN 4 comes in and gives us that satisfaction. It also gives us perfect closure in a full circle manner. Eerie, chilling, and atmosphereicly intense, this film asends above any other'part 4" I've ever seen, while also being a fantastic addition and conclusion to an epic legend of terror. It is shamefull that several MORE sequels ruined this well rounded story.

This movie isn't terrible, but it's not all that good either. Michael looks like an inflated balloon and his mask looks ridiculous. Still, this movie had its moments. So I'm gonna be nice and give it 3 stars.

While I am very fond of this movie, I am writing primarily to express my satisfaction with the special features. This dvd contains two audio commentaries. One features the two primary ladies in the film, Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell. The other is done by the writer of the movie. This combination offers the perfect balance. The two girls sound like precisely that-two girls. Neither of them makes any pretense of being a hardcore horror fan. In fact, I got the impression that they've barely seen THIS horror movie. Be that as it may, they have a chemistry together, and offer some interesting insights into the making of the movie. Listening to them, it's almost like watching the film with your girlfriend or sister. They infuse the proceedings with a degree of charm, which is not something you ordinarily experience while viewing a slasher movie.
On the other hand, the writer's commentary is directed at the serious fan. If you really love the Halloween series, as I do, there are some illuminating things to be found here.I've always preferred commentaries that focus on the story, rather than backstage antics. The writer, as might be expected, comes through more effectively than the girls in that regard.
This makes for a great combination. You get a variety of insights, which is not always the case with special features.I was especially impressed with Ellie Cornell. She shows great respect for the movie, and particularly for the fans.It's always possible that she's just being diplomatic, of course. But, ultimately, the fact that she goes to the trouble to show such respect for people like myself, who love these movies,reveals that she is a lady, and a quality human being.
If you love this movie, this is the edition to get. It's hard to imagine that there will ever be a better version after this.While I've focused on the special features, the movie itself would be worth your money if it had to stand alone. Another great performance from Donald Pleasence. We see more of the humanity in Dr. Loomis in this one than perhaps anyplace else in the series. (Particularly when he's hitchhiking, and gets picked up by the old man in the truck.)Rachel Carruthers is easily my favorite heroine in the series. Danielle Harris is ideal in her role as Jamie. Without question, the best ending of any film in the series(after the first one, of course.)
All in all, this dvd gives you an awful lot for the money. Perhaps more than any other slasher dvd I've been exposed to. This is easily the finest dvd treatment that has been given to any of the Halloween films, other than the original.