Everyone likes a good horror film, there's just something about fear that makes them enjoyable to the viewer. Whether you like to be scared, or find that type of movie exciting, usually the average guy or gal enjoys the “spooky” genre.
However, more recently, many would argue that the horror genre has gone too far in trying to impress it's audiences by “pushing the envelope”. I think when people define "going too far" they usually mean that there is excess use of gore (blood and guts) and sometimes gratuitous nudity and that doesn't normally advance the plot of any story (unless you’re into that scene).
I am a firm believer in sub-genres, and I feel that the “slasher” movie belongs in its own section of the terror hierarchy. Why? Well, I believe the title speaks for itself – it’s not horror as in ghostly, or vampire – but slasher as in extreme violence, physical injury, etc.
Stereotypically, these films start with a group of teens who are attacked (for whatever reason) by a killer in a mask. (Sometimes living, but often undead, giving the opportunity to bring them back in the next movie of the franchise). The most famous hook to these movies is the fact that there will be a girl who usually survives to tell the tale. This female character has a terrible time avoiding the baddie – and then finally gets an opportunity to kill the psychotic murderer and escape the carnage.
There are many different versions of these movies. One may say, they are “no brainers” and are predictable, but I definitely would argue the opposite. In fact the “slasher” films have the longest running franchises and some of them are still in production today after being rebooted by film studios.
Famous killers: People who are notable “slasher” stars from way back that keep returning – Leather Face from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street, Jason from Friday the 13th, Michael Myers from Halloween, Chuckie from Childs Play and many, many more.
I am going to focus on one of the early “slasher” horror films. Halloween was directed by John Carpenter in 1978. Carpenter would go on to be considered of the more influential horror director of all time.
Halloween Plot: Like many other “slasher” films it focuses on teens celebrating Halloween. The character Myers is psychotic who murders his older sister (while wearing a mask), which results in a life sentence at a sanatorium where he is being treated. Jump forward 20 years and Myers has grown up in the “home” but somehow manages to escape from the hospital on Halloween, to “get” his little sister! At this point in time, his current psychiatrist (the notable actor, Donald Pleasance) joins in the search to find him. As the film progresses, Myers obtains a “Captain Kirk” mask which he dyes white to hide his identity and sets off to kills his sister and her friends.
Jaimie Lee Curtis is Myers younger sister, a high school pupil, who, with her friends, is about to enjoy a “scary” Halloween (little knowing that her brother is homicidal – and on the loose). Curtis is unaware that she has a brother – let alone one who wants to kill her – and anybody she knows in the process… This makes for a good set up to start slashing.
MY OPINION: The first and second stories of this franchise are quite good because they follow the same plot line and are written by the same man. In fact, the second film has a good conclusion. However, if something is successful, the movie going public wants you to bring it back. Michael Myers continued to show up the big screen movie after movie. After the second movie, when they determined that this was a box office winner, they brought back Myers as an immortal, very much like Dracula. But as least Dracula has always had an excuse, he’s a vampire and not meant to be mortal. Myers, on the other hand, was originally introduced as a psychotic killer and not supposed to have any mystical powers.
NOWADAYS: But the film going public still wanted more – and the producers continued to churn out movies. The franchise continued, and has even been rebooted by musician Rob Zombie.
In conclusion, this is really a money spinning franchise and has served the studios well. The spin off costumes and toys at Halloween season make back their money year after year. When all is said and done, I would say if you have the opportunity to watch the original two John Carpenter films, go for it. If you are offered to see the later films, you may just want to think twice.
Halloween (1978)
Halloween II (1981)
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Halloween (2007)
Halloween II (2009)
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