I know I was despondent a bit last time. I remember years ago watching this film, and really disliking it, so I wasn’t especially looking forward to revisiting it.
However, it’s actually not as bad as I remember it. It’s not really good per se, and it’s still definitely a pale imitation of the first one, but it does have some interesting shots and ideas in it that suggests that a perhaps a better film was hidden somewhere in there.
Oh, right, two things I forgot to mention last time that are pertinent here:
Carpenter’s score for this series is so iconic, so incredible, it’s hard to say anything else. It’s a masterpiece of horror soundtracks, especially Carpenter’s use of synths to give very eerie vibes. That continues for this film, especially the way it helps amplify the mood of certain scenes.
As a classic SF buff, I was very pleased to see the original The Thing from Another World (which Carpenter directed a remake of, famously) and Forbidden Planet in the original Halloween. Now, it’s the original Night of the Living Dead (courtesy of the public domain) and Dementia.
I always loved that about these films. They have no real thematic or plot importance, but it helps set the mood for the film and it’s just very fun to watch Carpenter indulge his love for old movies (something you rarely…
