Movie Guys: No tricks, gruesome treats for fans in 'Halloween' update

Halloween: H20

* Grades: Jeff, B; Dave, B.

* Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, LL Cool J, Adam Hann-Byrd, Janet Leigh and Josh Hartnett.

* Director: Steve Miner.

* Screenplay: Robert Zappia and Matt Greenberg.

* Rated: R for profanity, graphic violence including hacking, slashing and slaying, and lots of blood.

* Running time: 85 minutes.

* Playing at: Las Vegas Drive-In, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Cinedome 12 Las Vegas, ACT III Village Square, ACT III Boulder Station, UA Green Valley, UA Showcase mall.

Synopsis: Laurie Strode is still struggling to put her past behind her. Living under the alias Keri Tate in a small town with her 17-year-old son, John, she works as head mistress of a private school. Now, 20 years later, her mass-murdering brother, Michael Myers, is suddenly back in her life with a vengeance -- and it's not just Laurie Strode he's after.

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Jeff:

Two of the most exciting movie-going experiences of my life happened on Halloween night: First, in 1978 when I was 12, I sneaked into the first "Halloween" film at the Red Rock Theater, and again in 1980 for "Halloween 2," also at the Red Rock. Both times, the mood was perfect -- it was fall and school was underway, October was in full swing and the rows and rows of moviegoers were all prepared to be scared out of their skins. It was the event of the year, and if you couldn't claim at school the following Monday to have seen "Halloween," you were an outcast.

Now, 20 years later, Michael Myers is back! I was practically the first in line. But, something was missing. Glancing at my calendar, it hit me -- it's August! You know, summer vacations, picnics, family trips, swim parties, staying up late watching TV. Who's thinking about trick or treating? It's like watching "It's a Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story" in July. It's the wrong mood.

Dave:

The wrong mood, yes, I would agree. But, of course, we know why they decided to release "H20" smack-dab in the middle of the summer fare -- marketing! The studios felt that they would catch more moviegoers during the last days of summer and make a larger profit by releasing the film earlier than their original October release date -- not to mention the strong response to the test screenings. We have one word for the studio: "blasphemy!"

For starters, the mood Jeff is referring to is that of the Halloween season. Not because it is a horror flick; not because it is August; not because it is the first continuation of the original story since part two. Seriously, let's remember that "H3: Season of the Witch" had absolutely nothing to do with the series. As far as "Halloween" sequels four, five and six, forget about it -- everyone else has.

Jeff:

Even though the mood was improper, I still had a good time. Most fans will head out to see "H20" for nostalgia. In the wake of "Scream," this is horror and suspense of a different kind. The key was to capture Jamie Lee Curtis, who still reigns as the one and only "Scream Queen," and she shines in this latest scream-fest. Her character, Laurie Strode, has turned into one crazy lady over the years. She has been traumatized by her knife-wielding brother for two decades, and her family can't take much more of her repressed rage. This rage comes in handy as she meets her greatest challenge.

Strode is tough, resilient and doesn't take any garbage from Michael. Yes, there is a lot of chasing around, but she finally has enough and stands her ground. Curtis' real life mom, "Psycho" star Janet Leigh, also gets in on the act as the secretary to the headmistress. It looks like they both have the scream gene in them. Leigh even leaves the private school in the same kind of car her "Psycho" character drove. I could swear that you can hear a little of the music from "Psycho" in the background when she gets in her car.

Speaking of music, composer John Ottman puts a new twist on John Carpenter's "Halloween" theme by using a full orchestra for a haunting effect on one of the most recognized tunes from the movies. He uses it sparingly and effectively.

Dave:

Certainly, without Jamie Lee, there would have been no real reason to continue the saga that started the slasher genre. Oh sure, the movie has a young cast of fresh new teen faces, including Josh Hartnett and "Dawson's Creek's" Michelle Williams, and the dialogue has a pop-cultural edge that gives the film its hipness -- all of which would have been enough to make any ordinary horror movie. But this is "Halloween," and it is the final confrontation between big bro and little sis that makes this stand out from the rejuvenated horror genre of the 1990s.

Filmmaker Steve Miner deliberately fashions some of the scenes after John Carpenter's (writer/director of the original) style. Miner, whose credits include parts two and three of "Friday the 13th" and "House," infuses the story with great scares and just enough gruesome deaths to make "H20" a fun night of good old-fashioned terror.

Jeff:

With it's short running time (it's a perfect 85 minutes) and creative direction, "Halloween: H20" is a crowd-pleaser. You'll jump out of your seat in sheer terror and scream with delight. Michael Myers hasn't forgotten how to use a kitchen knife and he puts his grizzly talents to good use, because when the cast members get it, they get it good.

There is one item that I don't understand: One particular character survives, going against all the rules of a horror film. He should have be taken out. "H20" is a fitting tribute to the original "Halloween" that made movie history and terrified a generation. Still, "Halloween" in August? Couldn't they have waited just a few months more?

NAME THAT FLICK

"Never judge things by their appearance -- even carpetbags." Congratulations to Catherine Jortenson, who was the first to call and correctly attribute that quote to Julie Andrews in "Mary Poppins." Way to go, Catherine! Let's go clean up the nursery!

Now, for this week, who said this and in what film: "Flies! Flies! Poor puny things. Who wants to eat flies? ... Not when I can get nice fat spiders." Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Be sure to spell your name and leave a daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/ e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

See you next week!

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

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