Halloween Triple Feature [Blu-ray]

 

 

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(NOTE: This review was originally posted on the U.S.-based Amazon.com website.)

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 compressions artifacts pops 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, 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, all so they can give a completely 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. fan 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. The print on the Alliance release isn't as dirty-looking as the Echo Bridge Blu-Ray, and the original aspect ratio is left untouched, restoring the film's cinematic look that was lost on the Echo Bridge release. In... Read more ›

All the movies are in DTS-HD, a major improvement over their audio on DVD. Curse of Michael Myers and H20 are in 1080i, Resurrection is in 1080p. Quality isn't reference but is better than the dvd counterpart--especially Curse.

Not much new to say than what has been stated in other reviews. I purchased this import because I had heard such bad things about the Echo Bridge versions, and I wanted the films with the best audio possible. It is doubtful that these films will look any better than what was done for them in this blu-ray release. I did wish there had been a separate disc with some extras, but if you are okay with just the movies in a decent high def upgrade in video and audio, and you are a fan of the Halloween franchise, then it's worth the money.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Good value for this bare-bones release
THE MOVIES:
I personally enjoyed all 3 films.

THE RELEASE:
Great value, but I do think each deserves it's own release with (at least) the DVD special features... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Summer_Nights

4.0 out of 5 stars great deal but h20 needs a clean up
This one is the exact same as the dvd triple pack but the sound options are better with master audio on a few of them. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Michael P. Dobey

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome group of movies
This was a great set of movies. The transfer was excellent and the sound quality was excellent. I love the fact that I can have these three on one disc. Read more

Published 22 months ago by T. Kelley

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must For Series Fans
Let's be clear from the start: Could these movies look better? Yes. If they were remastered, and each was presented on its own disc in 1080p, they could look better... Read more

Published 24 months ago by James O'Blivion

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice transfer of HALLOWEEN 6
I think it's a Fantastic idea to put 3 HD Movies on one disc if it's possible, and in this case it was. Read more

Published on Mar 15 2010 by Camp Whacked

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