We had plenty of great comments on the subject of our last David Fincher film
Face-Off. Though the majority did agree that The Game deserved the victory over Panic Room, everyone made it clear that both were exemplary early works by master Fincher.
I’m very excited for today’s Face-Off because it’s happening right within the heart of Halloween season. Hence, we are putting two seriously seasonal-centric flicks up against each other. At first glance, you may think this particular battle belongs in our Original Vs. Remake section, HOWEVER, you’d be damn wrong. Although one is a sequel to an original and the other is a sequel to said original’s remake, the next two entries are in no way related whatsoever. Still confused? That’s okay. I think it’s best if you just crack open a bottle of pumpkin ale and prepare for Halloween II Vs. Rob Zombie’s Halloween II.
After a star-making performance in the original Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis returns for part II and delivers an equally strong showing. She is hit with even more harrowing shit in the sequel and handles everything like the classic scream queen she is. Whether it’s fleeing from Michael, realizing that he’s her brother, or finally standing up against him, everything about her work feels real and damn powerful.
Okay, I thought Scout Taylor-Compton did a fair enough job taking over the role of Laurie for the remake. She could scream and emote fear acceptably. Then, I don’t know what the f*ck happened. I can understand her being darker for the sequel, but not in such a laughable manner. I mean, f*ck! What the f*ck! Oh, f*ck! I think it’s ol’ Robert Zombie’s fault for the ridiculous number of times she says the f-word in regard to her current predicament. I actually ended up rooting for Michael to take her down. That is NOT Laurie Strode.
The brilliant Donald Pleasence perfectly continues the trials and tribulations of horror’s greatest psychiatrist. I honestly love every word of dialogue that he emits throughout the film. Upon realizing how right he truly was about Michael at the end of the original, his heightened state in the sequel is perfectly on point and just a joy to behold.
I know many scoffed at the drastic turn Malcolm McDowell’s Loomis takes in H2, but I kinda liked the extreme change-up. It felt like a natural progression after the events of the first film. And McDowell delivers a pretty funny portrayal of an asshole fame seeker. The only problem is, once again due to some shitty writing, many of his words and actions are just too asinine to believe.
Dick Warlock does a fine job emulating the masterful walking done by Nick Castle in the original. His version of The Shape may have a slight spring to his step, but he still brings a fantastically eerie nuance to his performance that matches nicely with part 1. This is vintage Michael: slowish, slender, and quietly relentless.
Okay, so Tyler Mane’s Michael is huge and hulking. It adds intensity to the scares, but really lacks the unsettling creepiness that 1981’s normal shaped Shape brings. He also grunts when he’s stabbing people, which again makes sense to show how hard you’re stabbing… but that takes away from the silent killer aspect. I don’t mind the whole hobo look at all because that makes sense, but if he doesn’t look hideous beneath the mask, what’s the f*cking point of showing any of it?
Since we already aware of the capabilities of The Shape, a bit of the film’s unsettling tension takes a hit. With that said, the spooky atmosphere around a quiet town being menaced by a relentless silent stalker still rings true for scares. Just knowing that the unstoppable force that is Michael could be around any corner is chilling. And that desolate hospital setting really amplifies that uneasy feeling.
I hate to say it, but the scariest thing about this H2 is the majority of the dialogue as well as how far the filmmakers seem willing to go to trash what could have been an engaging horror sequel. Michael is just so powerful and loud that it absolutely kills any shot at developing real tension. Plus, there isn’t anything even remotely spooky about his “ghost mom” that visits him, which is another lost opportunity.
The mystery behind Michael’s true intentions, Laurie’s attempts to flee the hospital, and The Shape’s trek to Haddonfield General all converge to deliver a damn satisfying conclusion. Michael’s slow-paced stalking is now perfectly matched with Laurie’s attempts to escape on her injured ankle. A better-informed Loomis forcing the police officer to take him to Laurie’s aid is fantastic. When he, Laurie and Michael meet up in a room in the hospital, the ensuing face-off is nothing short of explosive.
A similar face-off ends up occurring at the end of H2 with Loomis, Laurie, and Michael inside some rundown barn. However, Mike’s ghostly mom and the younger version of himself are also present and for some reason, Laurie can now see them both too. This concept makes about as much sense as that bullshit white horse explanation. Anyways, Michael and Loomis end up supposedly dying and Laurie is left to take over in the mask-wearing department. Very uninspired.
Well, I don’t know whether to laugh or scream
“duh!” I know there is a rather strong voice against Rob’s (mis)handling of the new Halloween sequel, but I also know he has his own legion of defenders. After sitting through it again for this article, the mistakes of H2 are pretty glaring. It was almost as if ol’ Zombie was trying on purpose to piss off as many Myers fans as possible. From packing in enough f-bombs that would make real life white trash blush to the odd use of ghost mom (Hello, Jason Voohees!) to the cartoonish Loomis to the lack of an interesting story, it’s very hard to make a case for praising it. Plus, the 1981 Halloween II has too much of the 1978 original’s feel to be beat! Now, I wonder what you have to say on this subject. Are we being too harsh on Robert Zombie and his vision? Or is 2009’s H2 really a complete hack job from a f*cking poor script with a f*ck of a f*cked f*ck f*ckity f*ck f*ck?! You be the judge and fire your f*cking bullets below. And feel free to send any future Face-Off ideas to me at
[email protected].