Review: Halloween (1978)

John Carpenter's iconic 1978 masterpiece remains a wonderful example of not only prime example of the slasher film genre, but also the film that, more then any other, reinvented the horror genre, codifying and building the dozens of tropes that would come to define all subdivisions of horror and thrillers.

Made on a mere $300 thousand, Carpenter stretches every dollar and puts it to its best use. Filmed mostly with long, voyeuristic hand held tracking shots, Carpenter fills the film with an undercurrent of paranoia that slowly builds moment by moment, until the final 15 minutes, where all bets are off and the film explodes into a mania of fear. Often employing a rule of "Less is More", Carpenter avoids graphic violence, instead letting the scares come from the atmosphere he steadily builds. True, there are jump scares, but Carpenter keeps them to a minimum, which makes them more effective then if he indulged in them.

The acting, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis in her first role, and Donald Pleasance in a role that would help redefine his late period work, is all solid. True, there are a few moments here and there were Curtis is a bit stiff, but for a first ever film, she does a very admirable job. One could even explain this awkwardness as befitting her awkward book worm of a character, and so her mannerisms reflect it. Her character is also quite likable and approachable, which makes it easy to root for her at the end.

Pleasance was, of course, a veteran of cinema by this point, and takes the role of Loomis seriously, while still obviously having a ball hamming it up. His trademark icy blue eyes and aloof mannerisms work excellently for the bookish Loomis, and he brings a sageness to the part that fits perfectly.

Overall, the film does have a slightly cheesy aura, if only because its very much of its time. But in many ways, this cheese factor is what makes it last. It doesn't take itself too seriously by making this some super dark gore fest, yet it doesn't skimp out on the scares either. It balances it in a way that is classic Carpenter, who as a film maker seems to love mixing seriousness with cheese.

Carpenter's score, which he wrote himself, is quite effective, with the main theme being iconic and memorable, and the rest of the score doing a perfect job at keeping the audience on their toes. Its always ebbing, piano tinkering away as Michael stalks his next victim, upping the tension in a manner that is very Hitchcockian.

So, suffice to say, I enjoyed the film quite a bit. It manages to give you a good scare without resorting to gorn or disgusting imagery, instead allowing the atmosphere to do the job.

5 out of 5