Its the same night as the original Halloween. Michael Myers is around the neighborhood after being gunned by Dr.Loomis six times. Now hes in a hospital where the girl Laurie Strode was taken. And theres a reason why Michael is after her...
Review
As sequels go this isnt a better movie than the original but what it is and what it does well it does really well. I have to say right away here that I was scared in this movie. There are some truly ingenious and horrific shots in this film. There are times when you really arent expecting whats about to transpire and when it does it sends chills through you.
I first saw this film in my " horror " days in the mid 80s. I was 12 years old then. So I just recently watched it again to see if it would have the same affect on me now. I sat in my basement and turned off all the lights and you know what I was spooked. Right from the opening number of Carpenters ominous music and the pumpkin slowly transforming into Michaels angry face I knew right there that I was in for a night of fear. And I was.
The story starts the same night as Halloween ended on. Laurie is being taken to the hospital and there is a massive manhunt to find Myers. Laurie eventually gets settled into the hospital and it becomes only a matter of time until Michael can find out where she is. He finally comes to get her and then all hell breaks loose.
One of the major players in this film is the locale. The hospital is dark and quiet and rather empty. And that adds to the atmosphere of the film. It gives us lots of long hallways so we can have a few shots of Michael hunting his prey. What we also get is an array of rooms to 86 his victims in and a slew of weapons to do it with.
Rick Rosenthal directed this film and I am amazed that he really didnt go on to do much because he almost copies Carpenters style to the tee here. Brilliant in particular are two shots. One is where Michael appears out of the darkness in one room to attack his victim. The lighting is solely responsible for the affectiveness of this shot and it works so well that it still gives me the shivers when I watch it. The second is when Micael attacks one of the nurses while Laurie watched helplessly from a distance.
Not only is this a good horror movie it is a good film and if the first rates a 1010 this is certainly of a 9. It is that good. And if you dont agree with me watch it againby yourself and then answer that question.