John Carpenter's 1978 classic, Halloween, is considered one of the most iconic horror/slasher movies of all time. Despite being made on a small budget of around $300,000, the film grossed $70,000,000 worldwide and has stood the test of time as a classic. Its influence can be seen in many subsequent horror and slasher movies that were released shortly after. While I can't bring myself to say that Halloween is an absolutely perfect film, it is certainly hailed as a classic for a reason. It set a new standard for similar films in the genre and you can see the influence this particular film has on many of its imitators.
In 1963, a young Michael Myers kills off his 15-year-old sister and is caught in the act by the police. 15 years pass and the story of Micheal Myers (Tony Moran) has become a legend in the small town of Haddonfield Illinois. Myers however has escaped his institution and is being hunted down by police and his doctor Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence). The whole neighborhood is in trouble because a psychotic killer is now on the loose as he targets several subjects including a teenage girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) who gets herself into more trouble than she bargained for.
The Story is surprisingly simple to understand, and nothing in the plot feels like it was wasted or glossed over. This film has all the classic elements that make up early slasher movies. You’ve got the simplified main characters, the out-of-control killer who seems indestructible, and, of course, multiple set-ups for characters to be killed or tortured. It all sounds simple for today seeing as most other slasher movies tend to be more complex in character building and storytelling. Still it's rather a nice change of pace to watch a simple horror movie that is directed so well by Carpenter. The suspense is very well handled and its edge-of-your-seat slashing action is still very effective to this day. If I had any minor complaints, I would point out that there is a somewhat annoying plot cliche in this movie called "Casandra," where a person tries to convince another person of something that they can't see or don't believe in until they actually do. Thankfully, that cliche is short-lived and not as annoying as when other lesser stories do it. Even with that minor nitpick, the movie's story is a classic slasher that every upcoming horror director should be inspired by to make their own slasher movie.
The Characters in this movie are simple and straightforward. Unlike many modern movies that have complex character backgrounds, these characters are easy to understand. There's Laurie, Lynda, and Annie, the typical teen protagonists. They may not always make the smartest decisions, but they are entertaining and easy to care for when they are in danger. The kids Tommy and Lindsey are also simple and don't contribute much to the main plot, but they work well with Laurie as she babysits them. Dr. Sam Loomis is mysterious, and although there are no flashbacks with him and Michael, his dialogue gives an idea of what he had to endure over the years of attempting to reform Michael Myers. Speaking of Michael Myers himself, he has become one of the most iconic slasher icons ever. Michael does not speak, but his actions speak louder, and his scary breathing under his mask could rival Darth Vader. These characters may not be as complex as many other modern slasher movie characters. However, they still perform convincingly, making the audience root for them to make it out alive.
The Cinenmotgrphy could be considered the weakest part of the movie as the visual aesthetic isn’t as eye-popping as it could have been. It's worth noting that this movie was made on a small budget, so it didn't have the resources to create flashy visuals like those in a big-budget film such as "A New Hope," which came out a year earlier. What they achieved with limited funds is pretty impressive, but some aspects could have been improved. Despite being titled "Halloween," the movie lacks the typical Halloween scenery. The setting feels more like summer than fall. I understand that as an R-rated slasher movie, it shouldn't have cutesy Halloween decorations, but I would have expected to see colored leaves falling from the trees and some decorations adorning the neighborhood houses. However, one thing I appreciate about this movie is the creative ways in which Michael kills his victims and how his appearance is made to feel menacing. I like how Michael is barely seen in the light for most of the movie, always kept in the shadows, which makes his appearance even more frightening. Although the visuals are the least impressive aspect of the film, I still commend John Carpenter and his crew for making the most out of a minimal amount of money.
The Music is as iconic as you can possibly get especially when it comes to the main theme for when Michael is around and being creepy. Surprisingly enough, the director of Halloween himself John Carpenter scored most of the music himself by using the piano to create Erie and spooky vibes. Having the director being the main composer for the music never really happens, the best guess I could have for why that’s the case is possibly due to the low budget they had which means they probably couldn’t afford a professional composer. It’s actually quite refreshing to see a director put his other talents to good use that don’t include directing the movie and thankfully for him, it pays off big time.
This demonstrates how a small-budget movie can become hugely successful thanks to positive word of mouth and the audience's appreciation for good directing and storytelling. It effectively tells a simple yet gripping scary story with a compelling premise and relatable main characters. The slasher genre has evolved significantly in its ability to frighten audiences, and this movie has rightfully earned its place as one of the most iconic horror films ever made. Although the visuals may be somewhat lacking in Halloween elements, the strong story and intense slasher moments more than compensate for this, making it a classic Halloween movie nonetheless.
(Final Grade: B+)