Plot: What’s it about?
After Michael Myers was involved in a shootout with the police and fell down a mine shaft, everyone thought he was finally gone for good. But once again, Myers has beaten the odds and survived the ordeal, thanks this time to a well meaning bum who nursed him back to health. As he heals, he has one thing on his mind and that is the murder of his niece, Jamie. Jamie has been silent since last year’s encounter with Myers, but has just discovered that she has a mental link with him, she can see what he sees. As soon as his wounds have healed, Myers journeys back to Haddonfield and plans to finish what he started one year ago. But with Jamie’s new powers, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) thinks he can engineer a plan to thwart Myers once again, this time forever. It will be a difficult and dangerous effort of course, but the risk must be taken. As if all this wasn’t enough, there is a stranger dressed in black roaming the town, whom no one knows who he is and why he is present. Will Dr. Loomis and Jamie be able to end this madness once for all, in the same house where it all started?
John Carpenter’s Halloween is one the all time classics and has influenced the genre to an immense degree. But as usual with a horror success, we’ve seen a plethora of sequels, including one that had nothing to do with these events or characters at all! So out of those sequels, which ones are good and which ones suck eggs? Well, I love the Halloween series and Michael Myers, so I happen to like all the sequels except the third film. The follow ups don’t have the same magic as the original of course, but I think they’re fun to watch and a worthy addition to horror libraries. This is the fifth Halloween movie and it has some terrific moments, especially the sequences where Myers pisses off some teens and decides to kick some ass. This movie has some strange turns that might turn some folks off, but I like the weird angles this movie uses at times. Is this a true horror classic? Maybe not, but it makes for a fun ride and that’s more than enough for me. This is the third time Anchor Bay has issued Halloween 5 and at last, we have a true Special Edition. A new transfer and a couple of new supplements should be enough to make most folks seek out this upgrade.
This film was directed by Dominique Othenin-Girard, who aside from a couple other projects, I am totally unfamiliar with. I might not know his resume well, but I know Girard has turned in a solid effort here, as no real problems emerge. I know some sight flaws in the storyline, but in terms of directing this movie is quite solid. The visual atmosphere is effective at all times, especially in those scenes where Myers is visible for only a few seconds. If you want to see more of Girard’s work I recommend Omen IV: The Awakening, Night Angel, After Darkness, and Adrenaline. The cast is headed up by the returning Donald Pleasance, who gives his usual terrific performance. Pleasance (THX-1138, Django Strikes Again) was in all the Halloween films except H20, and he was missed in that one greatly. Also in sizable roles are Danielle Harris (Urban Legend, Daylight) and Ellie Cornell (Free Enterprise, Married To The Mob), both of whom are solid in this film. The cast also includes Wendy Kaplan (Tv’s The Guiding Light), Max Robinson (Silent Night, Deadly Night), Beau Starr (Mercy, Never Talk To Strangers), and Jeffrey Landman.
Video: How does it look?
Halloween 5 is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. As the improvements seen here on the same scale as in Halloween 4, I have ported over my thoughts from that review. This is a Divimax release, which means a new treatment taken from a new high definition transfer. The question is, how much better does this new one look, as the previous one was quite solid. I found the print to be improved, as there was less grain and on the whole, a sharper presence. The difference is not drastic, but when I compared the two transfers, this new one has more detail and depth. As before, contrast is smooth and consistent, which is crucial in this movie, given how dark the visuals can be. I saw no problems with colors either, as hues were accurate and flesh tones were natural, a nice improvement overall.
Audio: How does it sound?
This disc includes a Dolby Digital 5.1 track and as with most horror movies, the audio is used to mostly create mood and atmosphere. Of course, the theme returns and sounds fantastic, but the rest of the elements also come off very well here. I found this to be a very active track in all respects, but the surround use never seems forced, which is good. The need eerie mood is present throughout and no problems seem to emerge at all. The dialogue is crystal clear and always at a proper level, never overshadowed by the other elements. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option.
Supplements: What are the extras?
We start off with an introduction by stars Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell, then move into an audio commentary with Harris and costar Jeffrey Landman, joined by director Dominique Othenin-Girard. The trio have some good stories to tell and while some silence creeps in, this is a more than solid session. Also new is some on set footage, which is a cool inclusion. Back from the previous disc are a well crafted look behind the scenes, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer.
