Recently, there has been a lot of rancorous noise regarding U.S. distributer Echo Bridge's recent budget Blu-Ray release of "Halloween H20", which can either be purchased alone or as a double feature with the awful "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers". Primary criticisms from early reviews have been the following: "H20" has had its original aspect ratio changed; only a Dolby 2.0 lossless soundtrack is included; the print is of poor quality; and there are no extras of any kind.Regarding the Echo Bridge Blu-Ray release, while not the worst Blu-Ray I've ever seen, this Echo Bridge release does indeed suck, even at its price of $9.99. Blacks are OK but lack detail; colors look flat; the print is dirty; and edge enhancement and compression artifacts pop up throughout the film. Also, the film's original theatrical aspect ratio has been altered from 2.35:1 to 1.78:1 (although nothing has been cropped, as the film was shot in Super 35, which allows for aspect ratio changes on a film without losing any picture). Unfortunately, the open matte presentation does indeed alter the cinematic feel of the picture, throwing composition off in many scenes, and giving the film an overall TV Movie-like feel that was clearly not intended by the director. Finally, the Dolby 2.0 lossless soundtrack is decent for a surround track, but why is this here on a Blu-Ray, when perfectly good DTS-HD 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks exist elsewhere? Overall, with a sub-par presentation and zero extras, the Echo Bridge Blu-Ray release of "H20" screams "cheap cash-in", and will certainly disappoint fans of the film. Overall, a one star review (out of five) for the Echo Bridge Blu-Ray release of "H20".
This is not my first disappointment with an Echo Bridge Blu-Ray release. My first was merely weeks ago, when I picked up Echo Bridge's recent U.S. Blu-Ray release of "From Dusk 'Till Dawn"; just as was the case with "H20", the Blu-Ray was pretty crummy looking, even for its price. Frustrated and disappointed with that earlier release, I took a chance and ordered the Canadian Blu-Ray release of "From Dusk 'Till Dawn" from Canadian distributer Alliance (who has a dodgy reputation when it comes to Blu-Ray releases), and I'm glad I did, as the Alliance Blu-Ray was superior to the Echo Bridge release in every regard.
Feeling encouraged, I decided to give the "Halloween Triple Pack" Blu-Ray release from Alliance a shot (which I picked up from Amazon.ca for $30.00, including shipping). This is a case of the best Halloween sequel ("H20") being sandwiched between the two worst sequels ("Curse" and "Resurrection"); on the strength of "H20" alone, I decided to splurge on the Canadian import.
First, a bit about the movies. "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" is pretty much the worst of the series, in my book. While the production values are actually the best in the series since "Halloween 2", the script is fairly incomprehensible. "Cursed" is indeed what this film is: a bizarre, ludicrously plotted storyline, silly cardboard characters and virtually no scares, this film seemed to all but ensure an ignominious end to the "Halloween" franchise.
The cast for "Curse" doesn't even try, and it's no wonder, as the main characters are basically all contrivances, existing solely to give connection between this film and the first. Donald Pleasence returns once again as the laughably psychotic Dr. Loomis. Whatever fun was left from watching Mr. Pleasance ham it up as the good doctor has long since dissipated; what we're left with in "Curse" is watching Mr. Pleasance slumming for a paycheck, and it is downright depressing. The Jamie Lloyd character from "Halloween 4-5" (and the daughter of Laurie Strode from the first film) returns, and is given little to do besides being tortured (as usual). Future comedy star Paul Rudd takes on the Tommy Doyle character from the original film, and for some reason chooses to bizarrely overact the role, perhaps in an attempt to inject some eccentric menace into his feebly-written character; needless to say, he fails. All of the other main characters/victims happen to be unfortunate new tenants of the old Michael Myers childhood home, which has itself become a poorly-contrived recurring character in this tired series.
Certainly, after watching "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers", I had little interest in ever seeing Michael Myers again, who over the course of six films has transformed from a mysteriously eerie serial killer into a monolithic robotic Druid (!) henchman. Without question, a one-star film (out of five).
Amazingly, the next film in the franchise would redeem the "Halloween" name, a rarity for a sequel so late in the series. In fact, "Halloween H20" is probably the best sequel in the Halloween series (I confess to having a soft spot for "Halloween 2", but I freely admit the film is problematic). Simply put, "H20" is the sequel fans had been waiting many years to see... even if some (like me) didn't know it.
The decision was made for "H20" to ignore the last series of sequels and act as a direct sequel to "Halloween II"; it was a wise decision, freeing the series from the various inane story lines and C-List characters that accumulatively dragged down the series over the years. Pleasingly, "H20" manages to both scare and entertain in a way that I thought just wasn't possible for the film series anymore. Finely directed by old school slasher film director Steve Miner (doing a better job with "H20" than he ever did on any of his 1980's "Friday The 13th" films), the film is smartly cast, has good production values, and is a blessed with a tight, straightforward plot. Jamie Lee Curtis gives a great lead performance, and the ending is the most satisfying of all the Halloween films (and that includes the original).
Special bonus points for "H20": it's the first sequel since "Halloween II" to get "The Shape" right! Armed once again with a creepy William Shatner-esque mask (which is actually achieved through a combination of 5 different masks and some CGI effects), a lithe build and quick, methodical body movement, "The Shape" is looking and acting more like his old eerie/ghostly self than he has in years. Certainly, this is a welcome reprieve from the graceless, hulking, albino-masked mongoloid that brutishly skulked around in the last few film sequels.
"Halloween: H20" isn't perfect; the characterizations (with the exception of Curtis's role) are drawn rather sketchily, the plot is a little too simplistic, and the music score is far more "Scream" than "Halloween" (literally, as parts of the score is actually taken from the "Scream" film!). Still, "H20" is a must-see for any self-respecting horror fan, and is well-made enough that (just as was the case with the first film) even non-genre fans should enjoy it. A four-star film (out of five).
Unfortunately, after an amazing comeback (and suitable end) for the franchise, along comes "Halloween: Resurrection" which pretty much eradicates all the good will that was garnered from the last film. Hoping that lightning will strike twice, another old school slasher film director was hired to take on directing chores, none other than the original "Halloween II" director Rick Rosenthal. Unfortunately, unlike "H20" director Steve Miner, time has not been kind to Mr. Rosenthal's skill as a film director, as the film's direction is flat and uninspired.
A cheap, lazily-written script doesn't help matters; the film's first fifteen minutes immediately sets out to undo the terrific ending of the last sequel, while giving a completely anticlimactic, gratuitous and ugly send-off to the series' most involving (and beloved) character...and no, I'm not referring to Michael Myers (we should all be so lucky at this point).
It's all downhill from there, with a silly (if timely) plot that involves more stupid young folks signing up to be slaughtered, this time on a Halloween reality show which is being broadcast live on the internet from the childhood home of Michael Meyers (one would think that after all the killing that's taken place in that house over the years, someone would have taken a bulldozer to the joint by now).
Annoying characters, badly executed internet video sequences, dull "money shot" kills, a total lack of scares and painful miscasting (Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks!?) all help to relegate this sequel to the bottom of the franchise's heap. "Halloween: Resurrection" isn't quite as bad as "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" (it's fairly well-produced and has a plot that at least you can follow, unlike "Curse")...but it's bad enough. A one-star film (out of five).
So, back to the Blu-Ray triple pack release: for a U.S. hardcore fans like me, was it worth the trouble and cash to import this Blu-Ray stateside? Certainly, for me I feel it was. Although "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" and "Halloween: H20" are presented in 1080i (only "Halloween: Resurrection" is shown in 1080P), the picture quality of all three of the films look respectable, certainly heads and shoulders above any DVD release. The aspect ratio for "Halloween: H20" is indeed in its original aspect ratio of 2.35.1 ("Halloween: Resurrection" is also shown in its correct aspect ratio of 2.35.1, while "Halloween: The Curse...", originally released in 1.85:1, is shown in an incorrect aspect ratio of 1.78.1). Sharpness is good, colors are accurate looking and blacks are strong for all three films. There doesn't appear to be any edge enhancement or DNR.
Is "H20" on the Alliance triple-pack presented better than the Echo Bridge release? Yes, it is. Although far from great-looking, the "H20" print on the Alliance release isn't quite as dirty-looking as the Echo Bridge Blu-Ray. As stated earlier, H20's original theatrical aspect ratio is left untouched, restoring the film's cinematic look that was lost on the Echo Bridge release. For certain, it would have been nice if Alliance cleaned up the print for "Halloween: H20" (which unfortunately looks the shabbiest of the three films on the disc), but all things considered, "H20" looks better than the Echo Bridge presentation, even in 1080i.
On the other hand, the audio on the Alliance release "H20" completely blows away the Echo Bridge release. In fact, the audio for all three films sound quite good, with each film given a solid 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio soundtrack, complete with strong surround effects and good bass.
For hardcore U.S. fans, the Alliance triple pack is indeed worth picking up. Now, make no mistake about it, all of these films can (and should) be presented in a far better manner on Blu-Ray than what is on this triple-pack disc, with a nice remastered 1080P picture and special features galore. Yet, for what it is, hardcore fans should be mostly be pleased, as the presentation for all three movies is more than watchable.
However, for casual U.S. fans, in spite of my poor review, I do think they'll be better served with either the $9.99 Echo Bridge stand-alone Blu-Ray release of "H20", or the $16.00 Echo Bridge "H20"/"Curse of..." Blu-Ray double feature. The fact is, I simply can't justify casual fans shelling out 30-plus dollars for one good film and two awful ones, especially given the weak video presentation of "H20" on the Alliance Blu-ray. Casual fans likely won't mind (and may even prefer) the screen-filling open matte presentation of Echo Bridge's "H20" Blu-Ray release, and will probably feel satisfied enough with the Dolby 2.0 lossless soundtrack.
The sad reality is, this is probably as good as it's going to get for these films on Blu-Ray in the Region "A" market... at least for a while. Hopefully, Echo Bridge's distribution rights while expire sooner than later for these "Halloween" films, and they'll see a better presentation down the line.
In fact the rest of the series needs to be put out on blu ray with as good of prints as 'halloween 6 and resurrection" has. the first one is out but you could easily double up h2, h3, and h4 and h5 in two blu rays. Hopefully someone will do that. If you enjoy the halloween series then this is worth it. However they do need to put this out in the states as well.
Buy Halloween Blu-ray Triple Pack(Halloween 6, H20, Halloween Resurrection) Now
Alliance has released a very good Blu-ray combo pack of the last 3 Halloween films in the original franchise. While the picture in Halloween 20 Years Later could use some improvement, Halloween 6 and Resurrection save the day with nice, crisp picture quality. The audio for all 3 films is the same as the DVD releases but they're in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound so it's not like we have bad audio options. Overall, this is a solid release considering these films have a long way to go before we see them on Blu-ray in the US. This release is worth every penny!Read Best Reviews of Halloween Blu-ray Triple Pack(Halloween 6, H20, Halloween Resurrection) Here
For fans of the Halloween series, this blu ray is worth the 35(ish) dollar upgrade. The movies are presented with better audio and much better picture quality. Also, The Curse and H2O are finally anamorphic. The image is more crisp, clear and colors and details are stronger and more vibrant and alive. All 3 films are on 1 single sided disc and although bare bones, the quality makes up for the lack of special features. This set is really pleasing because the quality upgrade and although these films don't totally wow in blu ray's big budget movie fashion, the films do look and sound much better, especially "The Curse" in my opinion because the colors just really radiate in that film. It's one of the only colorful Halloween sequels and it pays off on Blu. These films may never get released on Blu ray here (at least not for a few years) so this is definitely the best way to get them in high quality. It's region A (which plays in US and Canada). The only things that may have made this set even better would be if Alliance had put some kind of "Halloween Documentary" or some sort of special interview looking into Dimension and it's backstory on buying the 'Halloween' franchise and making these 3 films. It baffles me that "The Curse" has never had specail features, even on the DVD released in 2000, because I know there are like 30 deleted scenes from an alternate cut and there was a lot of behind the scenes interviews that I've seen on youtube. I really hope that one day these films get the total treatment they deserve here in the US with a special edition blu ray release.However, I have nothing to complain about, this set is really a fair price and the quality is good. Definitely good enough to make you throw away the old DVDs of The Curse and H2O (minus Resurrection on DVD because the DVD is loaded with special features!)
Fans should buy this, it will hold them up until The US releases blu rays of these films with special features...Which may take...forever.
Want Halloween Blu-ray Triple Pack(Halloween 6, H20, Halloween Resurrection) Discount?
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Of the three films, I enjoyed this transfer the most. There isbackground grain/noise, but it's not too distracting as the movie gets going. It is to be expected with a
catalogue release like this, and at the very least shows there is no DNR on this release. Blacks are
dark, and the colors stand out. The audio in this release is very strong, and definitely sticks out better
than it does on Echo Bridge's region-free release.
Video 4/5
Audio 4.5/5
Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later Unfortunately, H20 suffers the most of the three films on this
release. The opening moments are very grainy, but it does get better when the movie gets going. It
seems like it might have just been some print damage that affected the video on this one, but it still
looks far better than it ever did on DVD. As has been said before, this release contains the best audio
of the H20 releases. Dialogue is crisp and clear, and the score sets the mood easily.
Video 3.5/5
Audio 5/5
Halloween Resurrection As the only film with the 1080p transfer, it was obvious that Resurrection's
transfer would be the best (though I do personally feel like Curse came across the best). The audio is
clear and the video looks great, even if the film itself is pretty bad.
Video 4/5
Audio 4/5
Unfortunately, this release is without English subtitles and bonus features, but I still recommend it for
those of us who can't play the Region B releases of Curse and H20, as the audio and video are both
superior to the releases that Echo Bridge gave us.
Overall Video 4/5
Overall Audio 4.5/5
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