He's out there in Haddonfield somewhere.

Where is he?

Halloween is almost here, isn't it? I will watch one movie Halloween night and that is the John Carpenter classic. This has been one of my worst Octobers in recent memory. A lot of drama in my life and a demanding job have cut into my time and enthusiasm for a month I typically enjoy from start to finish. I was hoping for a better month this year, but it has been exactly the opposite.

However, I'm trying to find my Halloween mojo and started Halloween II (1981) tonight. Loomis has been burdened by his institution's negligence. No matter what he says, Michael struck on Halloween, 1978, and Haddonfield would continue to feel his quiet rage.

“Is this some kind of joke? I’ve been trick or treated to death tonight.”--annoyed neighbor

“You don’t know what death is!”--Dr. Loomis

 

 

I kind of like the re-imagined Halloween score, John working in concert with partner Alan Howarth, but it just can't, to me, quite match the first film's.

He's in your house!

I will say this for Halloween II. I think this scene right here is as good as anything in the first film. Exceptional positioning of the camera at the exact place it needs to be and its meaning within the slasher structure of "the boogeyman" I think is particularly worthy of the descriptive term of Mise-en-scène. Prior to this shot, Rosenthal, the director of the sequel, incorporates the same method of Michael's movements in first person perspective as he enters the house of an old married couple, with the television playing Night of the Living Dead. Michael could kill them if he so wanted. That is what really sets this scene up so effectively.

He's behind you!

 Here was a similar shot where Michael, the Shape, is a blur in the background, opening her door and letting himself in the house. The occupant's parents are gone as she explains to a friend, and Michael has her all to himself to slay.

 Halloween II's first victim.

Haddonfield Memorial Hospital

"He just waited"

"the tribe" is letting the Mysers house have it.

The force inside him is how Loomis looks at Michael. Waiting for Halloween and being the "model patient". Angry neighbors take their fury out on the house that the monster that took their own lived. I'm surprised the house stood until Halloween 5 considering its notoriety and detriment to the neighboring houses near it.