by Matthew Molgaard

Created on: May 01, 2010

Two years ago when Rob Zombie initially tackled the HALLOWEEN brand, franchise fans were both skeptical and excited. Given Zombie’s propensity for extreme violence and outlandish character portrayals, most fans harbored reasonably accurate expectations for the film. As it turns out, Rob’s HALLOWEEN rendition did quite well, and before anyone could utter trick-or-treat, Dimension had a proposed sequel on the table - a sequel which Zombie expressed no interest in helming. Well, things change quickly in Hollywood, and to the surprise of many, Rob eventually signed on to write and direct the immediate follow-up HALLOWEEN II.

From the outset Zombie claimed that his vision for HALLOWEEN II would further build upon his previous picture, all the while developing a new, original and unique direction in which to lead the preceding films surviving characters. Rob clearly lived up to his word, transforming virtually every returning cast member in bold, pronounced fashion. No longer is Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) an innocent youth accustomed to the luxuries of middle class suburbia. Her near fatal brush with death embodied has left her a scarred wreck, unstable, gothic, and tormented by memories of the worst Halloween experience one could fathom. Dr. Samuel Loomis (Malcolm Mcdowell) has undergone quite the metamorphosis as well. Dead and gone is the caring, sympathetic Doc who always placed concern for others first and foremost. These days, just one year after a deadly confrontation with his former longtime patient Michael Myers, Loomis has been overcome by greed and the desire for the spotlight; marketing a new novel based upon the terror Myers unleashed upon Haddonfield a year prior.

Along with these characters’ drastic trait adjustments comes the unexpected evolution of Michael Myers himself. While the masked one still embarks on his journey to eliminate Laurie (who learns of her true identity midway through the film), he’s suddenly taken on guidance from his deceased mother, and oddly enough, himself - in the form of a child (played by Chase Wright Vanek). Assisted by these (almost) phantasmagorical experiences, Michael of course succeeds in tracking his sister. Determined to end Laurie’s physical existence, Myers slashes, stomps, and decapitates his way to a final showdown with local police, Laurie and Dr. Loomis.

Zombie’s unexpected plan of attack is admittedly quite the shocker (and marked improvement upon his previous

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