Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

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Allan C Ignoring parts 3-6, this direct sequel to HALLOWEEN 2 finds Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Laurie Strode, now the dean of a posh private school, having faked her own death and living under an assumed name, and the mother of a rebellious young son, Josh Hartnett in his film debut. SCREAM had just come out two years before and breathed new life into the tired slasher film genre with witty self-relative humor and winks to horror audiences who all know the “rules” of horror movies. Kevin Williamson, writer of SCREAM, was one of the producers of this film, and his “hip” sensibility is all over this film. Unfortunately, he was not one of the writers on the film, and it’s nowhere as clever as any of his best films. Most of the film feels too much like a CW teen drama and trying way too hard to be hip like SCREAM. However, the last 30 minutes of the film does deliver the slasher film goods, and the film’s final showdown between Laurie Strode and The Shape actually had the ending I kept wondering through all the other sequels, where the would-be heroes unsuccessfully kill Michael Myers. The ending has (SPOILER ALERT!) Laurie rams Michel with her car, pinning him against a fallen tree, where she then beheads him. End of film! It’s a great finale that gives a nice definitive death to Michael, which was one of Jamie Lee Curtis’ demands if she were to appear in the film. She didn’t say they wouldn’t be allowed to make a sequel (because they did), but that the ending could not give even a hint there would be a sequel. Ending with a definitive death for Michael, getting your head chopped off is about as definitive as you can get. Overall, this is a mixed bag of a sequel, but it’s better than most of the sequels. Below is my review from the last time I watched. 11-3-16 Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) **1/2 I remember being pleasantly surprised by the seventh entry in the Halloween franchise when it first came out, but rewatching it now just made me want to rewatch Rob Zombie's excellent reboot instead, which did take the time to really develop a fascinating backstory for Michael Myers and develop him as a real character. This film has the novelty of Jamie Lee Curtis returning to the franchise 20 years later, but the film never really rises above its slasher film roots. Kevin Williamson, who was just coming off of the highly successful "Scream," was one of the producers and did uncredited script work. This film isn't as winking or meta as "Scream," but it does have its moments of humor, which does help add to this film's entertainment value. The film also features the film debut of Josh Hartnett and supporting performances by Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, Janet Leigh, LL Cool J, and a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. On the downside, the script lacks any kind of character development or interesting backstory for Michael Myers. Although that was kind of a hallmark of the 80s slasher film, the unstoppable, unknowing, mindless killer, it doesn't make for much of an interesting story. Myers only serves as something for the other characters to react to. The film does certainly benefit from the strength of Curtis as an actress to react to Myers, but it's not really enough to make this film much more than a competent slasher film. And one minor quibble that actually bugged me quite a bit is that the mask looked so vastly different from the original that I almost couldn't take it seriously, as if this wasn't really Michael Myers. Why couldn't they just spray-paint a Captain Kirk mask white like they did in the original? Oh well.  Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/15/25 Full Review Garry A I remember going to see this twice when it was at the theaters. It's got a cool cameo and references to past installments. The final confrontation between Laurie and Michael is epic. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/03/25 Full Review John R Wish Michael's mask was a bit different but It was still good Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/14/25 Full Review RODRIGUES N Para mim um dos melhores filmes da franquia que traz o confronto após 20 anos c seu irmão Michael! Poderiam ter feito uma extensão do H20 nos filmes subsequentes. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/25 Full Review Skibidi T Honestly, I was surprised that Laurie was alive. Because in Halloween 4 and 5, I thought she passed away. This was great, 5/5 Stars! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Andrew M Decent movie. Halloween H20: A Chilling Throwback with a Claustrophobic Twist From the moment the opening credits rolled, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later had me hooked with a mix of nostalgia and fresh horror. Jamie Lee Curtis's portrayal of Laurie Strode is nothing short of captivating, breathing new life into a character that fans of the franchise know and love. Her performance alone makes this entry a must-watch, adding depth and emotion that elevates the whole film. Set in a more claustrophobic environment, the film effectively heightens the tension, making each scene feel more intense and immediate. The fast-paced narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat, and while the kills are solid, they don’t offer much in terms of innovation. However, the well-developed backstory and plot are refreshing in a genre often plagued by superficial scares. The showdown between Laurie and Michael Myers is undoubtedly a highlight, showcasing some of the best moments of the series. The film also cleverly acknowledges its roots, paying homage to the original while creating a standalone story that feels both familiar and new. Although some may find the staging a bit too tight, this approach adds to the film's unique atmosphere. In the grand scheme of the franchise, Halloween H20 might not be the most groundbreaking installment, but it stands out for its strong performances and its ability to blend old-school horror with new twists. It’s a satisfying entry that respects its origins while pushing the story forward, making it a worthwhile watch for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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