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If only this movie hadn’t been called Halloween and entered as the second sequel to the classic… If only it had simply been called ‘Season of the Witch’… If only John Carpenter had directed it… I could go on forever, but the truth is that I find myself liking this movie. Despite its flaws, and despite the fact that it makes a dreadful entry into the franchise (simply because the franchise really belongs to Michael Myers), this movie displays just what a great storyteller John Carpenter can be if he tries hard enough.
The ludicrous plot (which, admittedly, would have been turned down by any of the cheap ‘s horror shows), gives way to what is a surprisingly entertaining movie. The use of mystery is well worked, and the plot becomes more sinister with every passing second as Ellie starts to unravel a world of horror underneath the ‘Silver Shamrock’ factory.
Another surprising aspect about this movie is the fact that there is actually quality acting all round, and even the annoying family in the motel room next to the main characters are credible – and their fate is a scene that is undeniably stomach-churning and chilling to the bone. The gore-level is unusually high, and there are a couple of shocking deaths (I think I must have jumped at least three times, which is really saying something).
The main thing that really disappointed me with Halloween III, however was John Carpenter’s score. It’s a simple, repetitive orchestration that gets annoying just half-way into the film, and at times is ear-piercing with its synthesizer sounds. Yes, it can be eerie in its consistency when it’s needed, but in scenes where nothing of note occurs, the soundtrack just becomes aggravating and headache-inducing.
Just when Halloween III becomes something of a worthy movie, however, it descends into into one of the most atrocious post-climactic battles I have ever sat through. Although it could have made a worthy final twist if handled correctly, the ending (with Ellie being revealed as something other than we had previously thought) is left feeling rather stale and ridiculous with its open-ended and confusing showdown.
#OVERALL SUMMARY
Halloween III is entertaining enough, and the viewer’s attention is kept throughout. It is let down by an annoying ending, but maybe that is its genius-factor; Halloween III delivers where expected, and exceeds expectations in others…
