Halloween 2000

Running Time: 72 min.
Directed by Brad Ellis
Written by John Moore
Based on the screenplay by John Carpenter and Debra Hill
Starring: Lauren Chapman, Joey Watson, Joanna Castle, Natalie Jones, Jeremy Perkins, Alex Castle and John Moore

Reviewed: 01/18/05

By Lee Chase IV

It’s been just over four years since I first saw “Halloween 2000,” and I must admit that it has held up rather well. I have probably seen the movie six times since its original premiere, but I think the version that has been cut for its DVD release is certainly the one to view. The picture has been trimmed from 79 minutes to 72, and it’s difficult to even notice anything has been removed. The result is a much tighter movie that often flows better than the film it is paying tribute to.
 
The key to the success of “Halloween 2000” is the fact that it is an homage and not a remake. For the first part of the picture, a lot of it feels familiar, but once we get to the point where Annie (Joanna Castle) gets into her car, the surprises begin. Screenwriter John Moore seemed to like the idea of making the characters experience the deaths of their friends, which is something the original movie chose not to do, but it works better because it is a much scarier idea.
 
The other really big strength of Moore’s script is a heavier emphasis on sexuality in the film. Yes, it was there in Carpenter’s film, but the new version adds some creepier and more blatantly comic moments to drive the message home. Look at Deputy Brackett, who is played by Moore himself. This guy is married and in his 30’s, but still prefers to have sex with teenage girls. In the movie, he has a fling with Linda (Natalie Jones), so he is to be punished for his sexual promiscuity.
 
If there is a genuine weakness about the 2000 version, it involves a heavier focus on the loneliness of Laurie Strode (Lauren Chapman). I like the subtlety of how Carpenter’s film handles this, while the new movie has her making comments and even writing about it on a sheet of paper during class. We know early on how pathetic of a character Laurie is, so it is not something that needs to be reconfirmed over and over. This was one of Lauren Chapman’s first performances, and she does a good job showing Laurie’s isolation with her facial expressions.
 
The new cut of the film deletes mainly scenes of dialogue, and this feels like a wise decision. This is a movie that works due to tone and atmosphere, so having extended scenes of people standing around talking really just slows things down. The director, Brad Ellis, proved with this project how effectively he can create a creepy atmosphere and use it to build suspense. The sequence where Brackett and Linda are killed is one of the best he has ever shot, as it shows Ellis’s ability to display real horror without kinetic editing.
 
I have seen “Halloween 2000” more than any of the other Old School films, and I still think it is the one that holds up the best. This was a tricky project to do well, since it is paying tribute to a classic. Even though Joey Watson does not have the realistic intensity of Donald Pleasance and the child actors react to Michael Myers like they would a scary movie, the performances compliment the material. Acting in a horror picture looks extremely difficult, so the cast, who are mostly amateurs, deserve recognition for trying to do what so many would shy away from. If there is a performance that should be applauded, it is Andrew Johnson’s work as Michael Myers. Everything he does in the movie is physical, but watch how carefully he moves. Getting each head turn and arm raise just right is probably a lot harder than any us might think.
 
“Halloween 2000” hits DVD in an impressive 2-disc package. The glossy cover insert is just gorgeous looking, and the DVD menus compliment the tone of the film to perfection. The transfer is manageable, if a bit disappointing at times. The filmmakers preserved the original 1:78.1 aspect ratio, which was enhanced to fit my widescreen television. Colors stand out nicely, particularly during the climax when Laurie is hiding in the closet. Nighttime scenes are a bit grainy, a setback that is at times distracting, but does not take away from the overall experience (since most of the nighttime scenes are lit). The sound is impressive, mainly because Carpenter’s classic score never overpowers the dialogue.
 
Disc 1 comes with a feature length audio commentary track including Brad Ellis, Lauren Chapman, Joey Watson and John Moore. This is easily the most entertaining track recorded so far for an Old School DVD. John Moore is hilarious here, making me wonder why doesn’t write comedy. There is a lot of recollection on the shooting experience, all of which is fun to hear, but what stands out most besides the jokes are the real moments of insight (there’s a reason Brackett was made a pervert for this version).
 
Disc 2 contains three deleted scenes, two of which I had forgotten even existed because they were in the first cut of the film. The optional commentary by Brad Ellis is particularly good during the second scene, which was re-shot, since Ellis shares a funny story about how to get rid of bad actors. A lengthy outtake reel is one of the best I’ve encountered, especially for the moments when John Moore can’t get his lines right.
 
The biggest treat of the second disc is a wonderful forty plus minute documentary about the making of the film. It contains interviews with most of the cast and crew on their experiences, good and bad, which gives a real sense of why this was such a memorable shoot. This feature really brings out director Brad Ellis’s love and dedication to “Halloween,” and seeing him speak here only enhances appreciation for the new version. It’s also interesting to hear actor Joey Watson talk about being arrested before shooting started, and see how it affected him throughout the project. Wait until you see what Matt Weatherly is wearing during his scenes.
 
A noteworthy photo gallery and the film’s trailer round out this praiseworthy package, Old School’s best DVD release to date.
 
Film: B+
Extras: A+
Overall Grade: A-