Now on DVD ands Blu-ray everywhere is Sony Home Entertainment’s Halloween II, writer-director Rob Zombie’s sequel to his 2007 remake. Bloody Disgusting’s long-time contributor Mike Pereira has turned in his thoughts on the newly released unrated director’s cut of H2, which can be found beyond the break.
The Film

When it comes to remakes, Rob Zombie’s Halloween is undoubtedly the most hated among hardcore horror fans. Once revered as one the genre’s most exciting new talents, Zombie has suddenly descended to the depths of ridicule usually bestowed exclusively upon Uwe Boll. While John Carpenter’s original is an immortal classic, it wasn’t the only reason behind such a public outcry. More than any genre filmmaker, Rob Zombie approaches his work as just that, his own. While there are definite nods (most likely a studio implementation) to the original, the characters, dialogue and look is purely Rob Zombie’s creation. He violated the very essence of what everyone perceived iconic characters such as Michael Myers, Laurie Strode and Dr. Samuel Loomis to be. His singular, uncompromising vision has brought the kind of wrath Zombie might not be able to shake off for some time if ever. There’s no greater proof than the sequel’s poor box office reception. I, myself would be in the quiet minority that actually dug this new take.

When I caught Halloween II during its theatrical run, I admired Zombie’s defiant nature not capture the hearts off his harshest critics and venture even further away from Michael Myers’ sacred origins. It’s an audacious work considering how quickly it was put together. Ultimately though, the theatrical cut is a poorly paced, structural mess. With the home video release, Zombie has put together a director’s cut. This new version is a definite improvement but if you hated Zombie’s reboot, you’ll most likely loathe this new cut a great deal more since it veers even further away from Carpenter’s creation. There’s more unmasked Michael Myers (Tyler Mane), not to mention, him blurting out a single word of dialogue! Purists have been warned.

The director’s cut is fourteen minutes longer and greatly improves the film’s rhythm. Halloween II is now allowed to breathe where the theatrical cut felt choked by a much too frantic pace. On the commentary track, Zombie states that the producers were worried that Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) wouldn’t be likeable which explains how undefined the character was in the first cut. The biggest change/improvement to the film is its defining of Laurie as its lead character just as the first installment was focused on her brother, Michael. The theatrical cut was an aimless ensemble piece. This alteration sets a chain reaction that nearly improves every element that didn’t work the first time around. Now there is a stark contrast between the confused, guilt-ridden Laurie and the first film’s survivors. Laurie wears her emotions on her sleeves where everyone else is living in a shell of denial, trying desperately to move on as if nothing ever happened. Laurie and Annie’s relationship is much more turbulent now. The deterioration of their relationship is one of the more tragic elements in a film filled with tragedy. Annie Brackett (Danielle Harris) shift from best friend to alienated mom-like figure is highlighted effectively with the additional screen-time. Also, Brad Dourif’s stunning portrayal of Sheriff Brackett is all the more heartbreaking now. Margot Kidder’s cameo has been upped to a full fledged supporting role. The additional therapy scenes highlight Laurie’s fragility and her psychological connection to her brother. Zombie’s thematic elements no longer feel muddled and pointless. The seemingly insignificant change from one year later to two years after the events of the first film, only adds to the feel of disparity these characters can’t seem to escape from.

There are still problems though. Zombie’s trademark crude “hillbilly” banter unnecessarily pops its ugly head here and there. It only worked for me on Zombie’s masterwork, The Devil’s Rejects. Loomis’ last ditch attempt at redemption is better realized here but still feels rushed. The new ending fits the film better than the first cut’s chaotic stabathon but a principal character’s demise s is contrived in its execution. Still, this climax gives Zombie’s bold re-imagining a sense of tragedy, not to mention finality. While the last scene is the same, it’s given a beautifully haunting, new context. This unrated director’s cut fully realizes Zombie’s bold vision. Halloween II is an intense and truly depressing emotional rollercoaster.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Video

Halloween II’s MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer is framed in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio. Shot on 16mm, this is definitely not the type of film you’d use to showcase the Blu-Ray format to your friends. It’s heavy on grain from start to finish. While colors are muted for the most part, it pops up intensely during the strip club and Phantom Jam sequences. Halloween II is a very dark film by design. Thankfully, the black levels are consistently deep. While detail isn’t very high, there are moments which are nicely defined like the scars on a character’s face. This transfer is completely faithful to the source material and the subtle enhancements you get on the Blu-Ray opposed to DVD, strengthen Zombie’s beautifully unsettling visuals.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Audio

The DTS-HD Audio 5.1 is pretty powerful experience. The score completely wraps around the viewer. It shifts throughout the channels to create a sense of unease during the film’s duration. The sound design is simply ferocious. Every stab (and man, are there a lot of them) hits with brutal intensity. Also, rain pouring creates an effective 360 feel. This very impressive mix should keep you on the edge of your seat.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Supplements

Rob Zombie delivers another engaging and insightful commentary. He points out the differences between the two cuts and his reasoning behind the changes. His attention to the tiniest of details comes across on several occasions. Zombie brings up the many issues that came up during the shoot like sudden budget cuts and his antagonistic relationship with the studio. One of the better commentaries I’ve heard in awhile.

The Blooper Reel (4:26, 1080p) is completely forgettable. Definitely lacking the funny McDowell, Dourif bits from the first film’s Blu-Ray/DVD. Audition Footage (9:37, 1080p) consists of seven auditions. Make-Up Test Footage (3:35, 1080p) is intriguing while it lasts. Uncle Seymour Coffins Stand-Up Routines (8:40, 1080p) starts off as a series of irritating and very unfunny stand-up routines until it somehow ends up being a fairly fascinating character sketch. It really highlights Zombie love of the colorful minor characters that inhabit his work. Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures Music Videos (19:11, 1080p) is a collection of six videos featuring on-set/concert footage with Rob Zombie’s trademark inserts of old horror movie footage. They’re all pretty similar so if you dig this fictional band’s music, you’ll probably enjoy these. Deleted and Alternate Scenes (25:14, 1080p) consist of twenty-three mostly uneventful scenes. There are a few rather interesting moments that’s certainly worth a peek. There is an alternate version of the strip club massacre followed by the death of an innocent delivery man. Plus, there are a couple of eerie dream sequences where Laurie is murdered by her brother in rather unsavory ways.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Final Thoughts

If you’re a Rob Zombie fan, picking up this Blu-Ray release is a no-brainer. The A/V transfer is spot on. The special features are pretty forgettable but the Zombie’s commentary is worth the purchase alone. One wonders why the theatrical cut wasn’t included on this Blu-Ray since it’s available on DVD. Both contrast enough from one another that it would have made for a rather fascinating comparison. One also, has to wonder if another exhaustive epic documentary like on The Devil’s Rejects and Halloween releases might eventually see the light of day. Halloween II is rough around the edges but contains more audacity than your typical studio genre flick, let alone one with a Roman numerical at the end of it. I can’t think of any other horror sequel that deals with its surviving characters’ physically and emotional trauma in such a profound way.

Rating: 8 out of 10