Courtesy MGM

Credit: Ron Soltys

HALLOWEEN

Starring Malcom McDowell, Tyler Mane

Directed by Rob Zombie

Distributed by MGM

Rated R Runtime 90 min

Stater rating (out of five): ***

One thing viewers need to remember while watching the 2007 version of Halloween is that it is director Rob Zombie’s re-imaging of the classic thriller, and that you shouldn’t expect every little thing to go the same way as in the 1978 classic.

The first half of the movie was outstanding simply based on the fact that Zombie gives us some clue as to why Michael Myers, the classic murderer and stalker, is the way he is. Daeg Faerch plays 10-year-old Myers, who grew up with bullies at school and went home to a house full of hate, physical and verbal abuse, and a lowlife stepdad, Ronnie.

Myers comes home after a lonely night of trick-or-treating and goes on a killing spree — murdering members of his family without remorse — and becomes a true sociopath. After his mother comes home from her stripping job and discovers her son and her baby daughter, “Boo,” or Laurie, outside, Myers is institutionalized and taken under the infamous Dr. Loomis’ (Malcom McDowell) supervision.

Myers slowly becomes withdrawn, hardly speaking to his mom, who visits him, or to Loomis. His obsession with masks overtakes him and he soon feels uncomfortable without one of his homemade paper mache masks. It isn’t until 17 years later that he finally wakes from his social catatonia and breaks out of the ward.

Another great aspect of the movie is Zombie allows the slightest differences to slip under viewers’ noses, differences that are hardly noticeable, but once they are noticed, they are fitting to Zombie. He has young Myers dress like an ICP clown instead of the sweet, cute costume shown in the first Halloween. Also, he makes sure to cue in songs such as “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” on two separate occasions before Myers slices and dices a victim. Also, through Myers’ stay at the psychiatric facility, his masks slowly become redder, starting around the mouth and eye holes and then filling the whole mask, representing his anger and killer instinct.

An interesting fact is that Danielle Harris, who plays Annie Brackett in the 2007 version of Halloween, also played Jamie Carruthers, the killers’ niece, in Halloween 4 and 5. And, of course, recurring stars in Zombie’s flicks, such as his wife (Moon) and actor Sid Haig, also make appearances.

Remember to keep an open mind and enjoy the gory, twisted inner workings of a psychopath.

Contact all correspondent Jenna Gerling at [email protected].