Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Halloween 4 is a terrific entry in the best slasher series of all time. While it doesn't have quite the all-pervading atmosphere, suspense, and general gloom and doom of the incomparable original, it more than lives up to the Halloween tradition. To me, the key to this movie's success is the acting talent of both Donald Pleasance (Dr. Loomis) and young newcomer Danielle Harris (Michael's niece Jamey). Disfigured from his encounter with Michael ten years earlier, Dr. Loomis strides through this movie as the avenging hero he is, having to convince foolish minds that Michael has returned home to wreak havoc yet again. Of course, you can blame a couple of paramedics for tipping Michael off that he still has a living relative, namely his sister Laurie's little girl Jamie (Laurie has supposedly died in an accident a year earlier). After Michael is transferred out from under Loomis' nose, he naturally escapes and begins leaving a trail of bodies on his way to Haddonfield. Loomis is right behind him, intent on saving the little girl from her evil uncle. The young Danielle Harris gives an incredible performance for someone so young, conveying emotion and fear quite convincingly. After this movie came out, I remember hearing some criticism of terrorizing such a young person in this type of horror atmosphere, and Harris spoke quite eloquently on the subject from her perspective. She brings to this movie talent well beyond her years.

Surprisingly, this movie is not altogether that graphic. We rarely get to see the actual coup de grace of each killing (and in a couple of cases we don't even see the actual murder), and even the remains of the slain never exhibit much blood loss. Of course, Michael uses a variety of means (including his bare hands) to murder his victims here. I for one missed the guy's trademark knifings. He does get hold of a knife eventually, but, sadly, he doesn't get much of a chance to use it. As for Michael himself, it is easy to see that the man behind the mask is not the original "shape" Nick Castle. George P. Wilbur has a slightly different build, and he just doesn't have the malevolent presence Castle possessed. He is strong in the category of standing still and watching from the shadows, but he is a little awkward in his movements and often seems to be patterning them on those of King Kong.

This movie has some really nice touches to it, several that strongly call to mind pivotal scenes from the original. Another master stroke is the conclusion, which certainly surprised me when I first saw it. Far too often a trite ending can ruin one's impression of an otherwise good horror movie, but Halloween 4 offers evidence of how much a terrific ending can increase one's enjoyment of an already satisfying experience. By inserting a whole new chapter in the Michael Myers saga, Halloween 4 actually injected the series with newfound life (and blood); it certainly excited me as a fan, and that is something that most sequels of sequels simply do not do.

A lot of people will hate to hear me say it, but this is my favorite HALOWEEN movie! I think mainly because I grew up with it. I was born the year the original came out so I didn't get to see it in theatres like I did this one. For me, this was the introduction of Michael Myers and Dr. Loomis (though I have of course seen the previous films since).

This sequel is very close in plot to the original film it just has a bigger budget. Michael Myers has come back to Haddonfield, only instead of his sister, it's his niece (Danielle Harris) that he's after. And of course, several innocent teenagers get in his way.

Donald Pleasance can do no wrong. Personally, I think with his death so should have come the death of this franchise. These movies are not the same since Pleasance passed. In this film, Pleasances character is more determined and crazed than he was in the first two films and the audience is better off for it.

I can't praise Danielle Harris performance enough. She was only ten yesr old when she made this movie and she does a great job. Since, though, I haven't seen in her in hardly anything other than the URBAN LEGEND.

This, like I said, is the best in the series to me. I watch it every Halloween and I can't praise it enough. Kudos to Dwight H. Little.

Buy Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) Now

Ok Love both Halloween 4 & 5 but it was promise that it will contains DELETED SCENES but NO and I found out too late. F... BUT BUT.. I give it credit and decided to keep these blu-ray for both Halloween 4 and 5 because the Quality of the Blu-Ray Transfer was Great compare to the original Divimax ones I got. SO if you want to buy this for Quality wise then is worth it.

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While I am very fond of this movie, I am writing primarily to express my satisfaction with the special features. This dvd contains two audio commentaries. One features the two primary ladies in the film, Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell. The other is done by the writer of the movie. This combination offers the perfect balance. The two girls sound like precisely that-two girls. Neither of them makes any pretense of being a hardcore horror fan. In fact, I got the impression that they've barely seen THIS horror movie. Be that as it may, they have a chemistry together, and offer some interesting insights into the making of the movie. Listening to them, it's almost like watching the film with your girlfriend or sister. They infuse the proceedings with a degree of charm, which is not something you ordinarily experience while viewing a slasher movie.

On the other hand, the writer's commentary is directed at the serious fan. If you really love the Halloween series, as I do, there are some illuminating things to be found here.I've always preferred commentaries that focus on the story, rather than backstage antics. The writer, as might be expected, comes through more effectively than the girls in that regard.

This makes for a great combination. You get a variety of insights, which is not always the case with special features.I was especially impressed with Ellie Cornell. She shows great respect for the movie, and particularly for the fans.It's always possible that she's just being diplomatic, of course. But, ultimately, the fact that she goes to the trouble to show such respect for people like myself, who love these movies,reveals that she is a lady, and a quality human being.

If you love this movie, this is the edition to get. It's hard to imagine that there will ever be a better version after this.While I've focused on the special features, the movie itself would be worth your money if it had to stand alone. Another great performance from Donald Pleasence. We see more of the humanity in Dr. Loomis in this one than perhaps anyplace else in the series. (Particularly when he's hitchhiking, and gets picked up by the old man in the truck.)Rachel Carruthers is easily my favorite heroine in the series. Danielle Harris is ideal in her role as Jamie. Without question, the best ending of any film in the series(after the first one, of course.)

All in all, this dvd gives you an awful lot for the money. Perhaps more than any other slasher dvd I've been exposed to. This is easily the finest dvd treatment that has been given to any of the Halloween films, other than the original.

Want Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) Discount?

A respectable comeback for Micheal has some scares and a few shocks(the ending is great and dove tails back to the origin of the evil of Micheal Myers)but other than that this is just a typical eighties slash'em up with some mild gore and music alternating between dumb and spooky. Rachel is likable as was Laurie in the original,and captures some of her wholesome,All American girl charm.Daniel Harris is cute in the lead role(Mikey's 8 year old niece).

The Myers mask is not as scary as it was in parts 1-2,but other than that,we see the old boy is still at the top of his form. Somewhat scary,and better acted than you might expect.Worth at least a rental.

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