The best scary movies are the ones that remember this rule: the less you have to show, the better because the human mind can imagine things far worse than anything on the screen. John Carpenter used to know this and that's the reason that HALLOWEEN is such a success and so much better than the sequels that followed. By then Carpenter was rolling in the dough and forgot his roots. I'm not completely sure why but many first time directors make these awesome pictures on shoe-string budgets then in later years after they are given all the resources and manpower they need, they make nothing but garbage (look what happened to Sly Stone with ROCKY).Anyway, HALLOWEEN is a great horror movie. Granted by the ultraviolent and gore-laden horror films of the present day, the movie seems a bit tame and to some even a little cheesy. However, HALLOWEEN is the father of modern horror (the granddaddy is PSYCHO). The FRIDAY THE 13TH and NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and even the SCREAM franchises would be nonexistant if it wasn't for HALLOWEEN.
HALLOWEEN is made even more scary because of where it takes place, even after over twenty years since it's initial release, the small town atmosphere of the movie resembles just about any small town or suburb in America. The story revolves around Michael Myers, a man who has been in institutionalized care since murdering his older sister on Halloween night fifteen years ago. On the eve before Halloween, Myers escapes from the institution to return to his hometown to haunt and hunt a high school girl named Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). However, Myers isn't the only one hunting, he's being hunted by his doctor, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance).
HALLOWEEN was the film that started Jamie Lee Curtis' career and also made John Carpenter the heir of horror. The film has a believable plot, examining the nature of evil. The movie also has some of the most chilling music of any film of suspense. It's a classic.
