[_____V_____]

I watched the theatrical one earlier this week and compared to the workprint, the last minute changes do add a certain amount of credibility to the finished product. The ending was better IMO (compared to the workprint at least) and some of the subtle changes are an improvement. They didnt need the added deaths though...all it did was add more Devil's Rejects-dash into the Halloween flavor.

But it still doesnt deter from the fact that the "prequel" of the first 30-odd minutes makes Michael a sympathetic character and gives an "explanation" of his behaviourial pattern. This was one of the biggest drawbacks of Zombie's remake IMO. You know what, if Zombie had pursued that part and made an entire movie devoted to the "prequel", it would have actually worked (and would have been a better movie)...but what we are left with is an empty tale of half-prequel/half-remake involving a sympathetic 8 foot tall Michael Myers who isnt remotely scary and resembles Michael Clarke Duncan's character of The Green Mile.

I ll be gracious and grant it a 05/10, just for Zombie's improvement on the workprint. As for being a part of the franchise, it stands behind pt. IV and VI for me.

It certainly beats Resurrection by a mile. I ll give it that much credit.