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Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

6.2

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

R·1988·88m

Summary

Michael returns to Haddonfield for Jamie Lloyd – the orphaned daughter of Laurie Strode – and her babysitter Rachel. Can Dr. Loomis stop him before the unholy slaughter reaches his innocent young niece?

Crew

Director

Dwight H. Little

Screenplay, Screenstory

Alan B. McElroy

Screenstory

Larry Rattner

Screenstory

Dhani Lipsius

Screenstory

Benjamin Ruffner

Reviews

John Chard

John Chard

October 21, 2015

7

Apocalypse, End of the World, Armageddon. It's always got a face and a name.

After Halloween III veered in a new direction without Michael Myers, the indestructible killing machine of the franchise, the rights to the series changed hands and so it came to pass that part 4 (though part 3 in essence) brought Myers back. After being in a coma for ten years Myers is up for a transfer to a sanitarium, but wouldn't you know it, he wakes up and upon hearing he has a niece back in Haddonfield, he sets off on a murderous rampage back to where it all began.

It's one of the Halloween sequels that causes much debate among the series' fans, there are those who decry its lack of blood and its ordinary screenplay (both viable complaints), and those such as myself who like that it reverts back to what made the series start so brilliantly. Including a superbly devilish nod to the start of the 78 film.

Haddonfield becomes a town under siege, this the work of one monster, or as Donald Pleasence's scar faced doctor says - "evil on two legs". Myers once again is just glimpsed here and there, adding that unearthly suspense factor, until he hones in on his niece and her foster sister and the pursuit begins. Some of the interim characterisations are padding out the run time, the usual teen angst romantic flannel, but Pleasence's determined Dr. Loomis is never far away to remind us that everyone is doomed! Then of course there's the ending, which is an absolute beaut.

There's no brains on offer here, but it's a worthy sequel and a good tracer line for its iconic bogeyman. The story has moved on to another level and leaves the fans hankering for more. 7/10

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

English

Budget:

$5,000,000.00

Revenue:

$17,768,757.00

Keywords

sheriff
ambulance
scissors
halloween
twist
knife
sequel
murder
serial killer
niece
power outage
evil
crime spree
escaped killer
october
murder spree
holiday horror