Marcus Flor revisits Halloween (1978)

It's been a while since I'd seen this classic, so I wondered how well it holds up. And I must say, it holds up quite well!

1978's Halloween is much more of a suspenseful slasher flick than later sequels might suggest. Rather than focus on spectacular kills, the film spends its time building Michael's presence. It feels like he's always somewhere in every camera shot, watching and waiting.

Adding to this is good 'ole Doctor Loomis, as played by Donald Pleasance. His cold, frightful monologues help you, the viewer, believe Michael might be more than a man. Of course, as this series would go on, our boy Loomis would remain the highlight of each film.

Last, but not least, we have the excellent score. It's simple and effective, creating a tense atmosphere with mostly a piano and synth. It amazes me it only took three days for John Carpenter to compose the music for the whole film.

All in all, this movie deserves its classic status. This one is a Good, and the obvious viewing choice for the season.

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