Poll: Halloween III: The only good sequel to the series??

[Stingy Jack]

I read this rather unique review of Halloween III: Season of the Witch, in the anthology October Dreams. The review was written by Gary A. Braunbeck, a horror author whose work is refreshingly intelligent in a genre that is so often criticized for its mediocrity. I respect this guy very much, and this review actually made me go out and buy a copy of Halloween III. Read it, and tell me what you think.

"We all know that with the exception of Halloween 3: The Season of the Witch all of the sequels fell into the same tired formula: horny slacker teens are stalked by Micheal Myers, Donald Pleasence screams that Myers is "pure evil" and so must be destroyed, horny slacker teens are cornered by Myers, many die, but a few emerge alive, thinking Myers is dead but he isn't, and the lazy groundwork for the next sequel is laid as the credits roll and Carpenter's now-classic theme reminds us of the beauty of the original.

Yawn.

. . . No, if you're going to watch any of the sequels, then I would recommend - with more than a few reservations - Halloween 3: The Season of the Witch, not because it's a particularly good movie (it isn't), but because this in-name only sequel strove to stand out from the crowd, and that it does with a vengeance.

Originally slated to be scripted by Nigel Neale (creator of the Quartermass series), whose script was, for reasons that are still unclear, rejected, this entry in the series was written and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and is based on the gloriously and unapologetically depraved conceit that a billionaire madman (Dan O'Herlihy), leader of a group of modern-day Druids, plans to kill 50 million children on Halloween with special, deadly masks. Made at the height of the gore-hungry 80's, this film leaves nothing to the imagination; there are crushed skulls and splattered brains galore. No one is safe in this movie, especially children -- and that's where my strongest reservation comes in; it's one thing to base all suspense on the threat of harm to children, it's another thing altogether when the gruesome death of a child is played for sensationalistic effect, as it is here in what is surely one of the lowest points in the history of horror films.

Still, I had to give it credit for sticking to its dehumanizing guns; it moves quickly, it has a genuinely horrifying idea at its center, it's a much better made film than you'd expect, and there's the plus of O'Herlihy's wonderfully dark-humored performance; if there's anything to recommend seeing this movie, it's O'Herlihy; suave, menacing, and seemingly classy, his rich baritone voice, when he explains his plans, nearly sings with bloody glee; he is so enchanted by the idea, and O'Herlihy is so good, that you almost want to see him get away with it.

Almost."

I am about to watch this movie again. I haven't seen it since I was a kid, and this review made me want to see it! Let me know what you think.

[Vodstok]

I thought it was a truly terrible movie. One of the "twists" doesnt make any sense at all (how did the woman end up being one of those android things? I dont get it). That fucking song drives me nuts.


BUT.....


It is good bad. Its the kind of cheesy shit where you giggle at the badness and wonder how the hell anyone could have thought this would actually scare people. it is bad, but very enjoyable. if it comes on sci-fi again, i will probably sit through it.

[Egekrusher]

I've only ever seen the first one, and I thought it was awful, so I never watched any of the sequels. Sorry.

[Stingy Jack]

I don't remember any androids! (See ... it's been that long since I've seen it.) But really, I'm about to sign off and go watch it.









































Really.

[Freddy Krueger.]

Worst movie EVER. Michael wasn't even in it. Truely a in-the-trash movie.

[Stingy Jack]

Originally posted by Freddy Krueger.
Worst movie EVER. Michael wasn't even in it. Truely a in-the-trash movie.

Well, was it bad just because Micheal Myers wasn't in it? What if it wasn't part of the series ... would it still be so bad?

[massacre man]

i saw it at my aunts house and fell asleep with little kids running around and a baby crying

[kpropain]

I myself actually liked the movie, I think if it would have been called something else it would have done a lot better.....

[newb]

I haven't seen this since it first came out [1982]. So I can't remember too much [ killed about a million brain cells with beer since then ]. I do remember it had Tom Atkins in it, whom I always liked [ Night of the Creeps, The Fog, The New Kids ].
Maybe if I see it at my video store I'll give it a go.

[thEsounDofdirT]

indeed... a horrible movie.. the androids were so gay i can't even describe... and i don't see how a chip would make bugs and crap come out of a mask... melt your head yes... make nasty bugs and crap appear.. no