"Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers" (1988)

The William Shatner mask is back. Having lived through the blast that seemed to have killed everything in the hospital in Part 2. Part 3 was the odd, but interesting “Season Of The Witch” which had no witches at all. Nor is Hallowe’en really considered witch season. I say 3 was interesting because if you dissect the storyline of that movie, it’s actually pretty cool. A prankster millionaire gag guy from Ireland controls a town that seeks the power of Stonehenge to take over the world. It not for wealth or power…simply because he’s Irish and it’s a great prank on humanity. The leprechaun’s can’t help themselves. But that fizzled bad. So, original producer Moustapha Akkad re-invested his money to buy back the rights to this franchise (as he gambled the first time investing his dough on John Carpenter). What you get is a beat up classic that has parts here and there restored. It still turns heads, but it really has seen better days. And you can almost imagine what the pristine one use to look like

This one involves 10 year old Jamie Lloyd, played by a Danielle Harris, a girl who would go on to practically eclipse Jamie Lee Curtis’s Laurie Strode, in terms of nerd crushes. I would say more so, since Curtis never shows up to those conventions. By all accounts, Harris seems to love them, and her fan base. Score one big one for her.

She is the lone survivor of her family that has been murdered. She’s being cared for by some extended friend or family. The relationship seems foggy. They have a teenage daughter, Rachel Carruthers (Ellie Cornell) who watches over her. In close chase, to the now rejuvenated mass murderer Michael Myers is the return of Dr. Loomis played to epic theatrics by Donald Pleasence. Michael returns to Haddonfield to get the last of his kin. Which…not to be picky but…someone he’s never met. That’s how strong their familia bond is…I guess.

I consider this 3^rd best in the Michael Myers “Halloween” series. It takes time to appreciate some of the nuances, but they’re there. The nods to the previous movies. Such as the car hitting Michael in this one was mirrored from Part 2. And that the local townsfolk aren’t stupid and HAVE heard of this mass murderer and want to dole out some vigilante justice. That’s pretty fucking cool. But if you’re looking to see Kathleen Kinmont’s sweet knockers…forget it. No fucking or real gore, actually. It feels as if the movies were trying to reboot the franchise with another killer. That would be cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that. Well, technically, Jason Vorhees’ mother was the first murderer, then they attempt to reboot it with so many other people who could be Jason. Like Tommy Sheperd character (which fizzled).

This movie bummed me out, because it seemed like it should’ve been something else. It felt diluted. But I can’t fault utility director Dwight Little. Whom I’ve thought was underrated, in terms of schlock he’d been able to make like “Marked For Death.” I consider him part of the cocaine film school kids since most their stuff stink of late 80’s early 90’s. Not a bad thing for nostalgia, if we wait a few more years.

Overall, it’s a good slide back from part 3’s grave. Though, it is difficult to forgive the mis-steps given the ease of which the movie could’ve made more interesting starting with the dynamics between Dr. Loomis and Michael while introducing Jamie Lloyd, but I think they went back to a safe, sometimes dull slasher film. It hurts because it’s really so very close. I do believe, if you haven’t seen it, it’s worth watching the first two and this one. Then I’d stop. I can’t warn you enough about Rob Zombie’s bloated cheap knockoffs. They’re as bad as remakes get.

The DVD for this movie is really well done. Got commentary from Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell. Though I think the commentary with Alan B. McElroy to be infinitely more fun.