Keepin' it Reel: Halloween II (2009) Published Jan. 5, 2010 By 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Synopsis: A serial killer haunted by his mother and former self returns for another Halloween killing spree in an effort to kill his little sisiter so that he may reunite the family. Lambchop A bloody good mess So I started watching Halloween II, written and directed by Rob Zombie, with somewhat of an already formed opinion of what I was getting myself into. As a child, well more like a preteen, my brother Jay and I would go to the video store and rent all the scary movies we could (including the Jason movies, all the Halloweens and so on) so I have somewhat of a soft spot for the nostalgia that the Halloween movies bring. And even though I like Rob Zombie and all the creepy darkness that he brings to this world, I just didn't think he could do it like the originals. But he did, and pretty good if I must say. There are certain parts that I've heard people say were a bit hokey or over dramatic, but hey, it's a Michael Myers horror flick. So instead of trying to get away from that, Rob Zombie embraced it and perfected it! All in all, it was bloody good, not perfect, but it definitely captured Michael Myers as we've never seen him (without a mask!). Also, I really liked the cameos from the original Halloweens actors, and the homage to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a "sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania." Smallfry Murder: is that bad to do do? What can I say about Halloween 2? Well, I have always kind of been a fan of Jamie Lee Curtis playing the psycho's sister. Even though she isn't starring in this film, the new Rob Zombie re-make was alright. But I will admit that the movie did get to a point where it needed to just end. I found myself wishing he would go ahead and kill his sister already and put us all out of our misery. If you like gore, screaming victims and a man who, for some reason, never dies and doesn't make a sound when he gets beat up or shot, then you will enjoy this movie. Don't get me wrong, I like scary movies, I mean, who doesn't? I just want someone to explain to me how a guy can go through so much physical pain, but doesn't even yell in agony. But I guess that's what makes the Halloween series all its own. So keeping the fact that Michael doesn't feel pain in mind, and realizing that is just how it is and has been for years and years, I give the movie a ... 4. If you are a fan of the Halloween series, I would recommend seeing it and making your own judgment. You might as well. Chaz Halloween II = Mediocre If there is one fact that's true about Rob Zombie's "Halloween II", it's that it is nothing like the old Halloween movies, and that is definitely not a bad thing. He does a good job sticking to the plot of the old ones, but he adds his own twist on things. First off, he completely takes away the mysteriousness of Michael Myers. In Halloween II, Michael is an actual person with a full-grown Rob Zombie meets Grizzly Adams beard. And it makes sense right? I mean, it's not like a clean shaven face is on Michael's to-do list. His character is that of a drifter serial killer, not so much a demon-like, indestructible entity. He actually grunts when he's waving his knife around and, well, I'm sure you know what he does with it, and he does it a lot in this movie, and not gently. And the way he gives audiences an insight into Michael's insane inner thoughts is weird and creepy, but well-done and interesting. Now let's be honest here: You have to understand exactly what you're getting into when you watch a Rob Zombie movie. You know there will be blood (a lot of it), you know there will be screaming and you know there will be off-the-wall characters. And he likes to feature his wife in his movies, but that's beside the point. The point is all of his movies have a certain style; they're all the same to me. Do I think this is a bad thing? Not really, if you like his movies that is. He's becoming a Tim Burton or Darren Aronofsky to me in the way that they have their own style of movies, and you can tell right away if they directed it. I can appreciate a good "slasher" flick and this one doesn't disappoint. So again, if this type of movie is your cup of tea, see it, and if it's not, you'll be better off watching some other scary movie like "Glitter" or "Disaster Movie". Now those are scary! BENTON FRITZ Halloween: Not Just in October Anymore The holiday season is finally over and I'm trading in my old copy of "It's a Wonderful Life" for a slasher film. Not just any slasher film, but Rob Zombie's "Halloween 2." What is it inside of us that, when watching a Rob Zombie film, makes you want to look away with absolute disgust and simultaneously be so intrigued? I know. It's the little bit of freak in all of us. For those of you who don't know the premise of the Halloween movies, let me know and I'll have Jamie Lee Curtis come to your home and strangle you herself. With that being said, one of the best twists that Rob Zombie puts on this movie is actually showing the face of Michael Myers (typically he is just a mask with some sort of sharp object in hand). By showing his face, it actually makes him seem human. Of course in typical Rob Zombie fashion the amount of blood, guts and gore increases exponentially. And while the movie dips into the weird realm a few times, for the most part it parallels the original quite well. Overall, horror fans won't be disappointed and those "normal" amongst us will still appreciate the directors creativity making it a definite must-have in the DVD collection. Agree or disagree? Click "add a comment" below to give us your opinion. Click here for an introduction from the critics.