Halloween II (1981)

Halloween 2 (1981) takes place right where the first movie left off. In Haddonfield, Illinois Laurie Strode who is played by Jamie Lee Curtis fends off Michael Myers this time played by Dick Warlock. Michael is shot 6 times by Dr. Sam Loomis, his psychiatrist, played by Donald Pleasence. After falling off the balcony Michael’s body is missing which then starts his bloody pursuit. What sets this movie apart from the first is Michael has a motive this time and is not necessary regarded as the so called “Boogey Man.” It is revealed the narrative in the 2nd movie, Laurie Strode, is the sister of Michael Myers and he wants to kill her. Another neat aspect is the use of viewing the killer in POV. The viewer feels immersed as they can see exactly what Michael see's slowly trailing his next victims. Much of the pursuit takes place in the eerie Haddonfield Memorial Hospital where an unconscious Laurie is being stalked (Parr 2021). The scenery is pure horror with long dark corridors and the constant unknowing of where Michael might pop out next.

John Carpenter and Alan Howarth did an excellent job with directing and writing the score for this horror classic. Each track has a creepy feeling attached that runs shivers throughout your body. Each kill throughout the movie feels more grueling than the last and the slow reveals keep you on edge. The ending showed Laurie and Dr. Loomis finally met with Michael together. This part I enjoyed the most when Laurie shoots out both of Michael’s eyes as the blood drips down from his mask like tears. Dr. Loomis fills the room with gas as Laurie escapes and it explodes in flames. The thing about Halloween is Michael always comes back to life despite most of the films, he seems dead. We watched Michael explode and become engulfed in flames, but he somehow returns for future films. As the credits roll Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes plays and for some reason I can't help but feel comforting yet an overwhelming creepiness surround me.

Citation: Parr, Brendan. “A Retrospective Review on the Horrors of 'Halloween' and 'Halloween II'.” Loyola Phoenix, 27 Oct. 2021, http://loyolaphoenix.com/2021/10/a-retrospective-review-on-the-horrors-of-halloween-and-halloween-ii/.