Halloween II (1981)

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Halloween II immediately follows the events of the first film, and sees Michael Myers stalk Jamie Lee Curtis's Laurie Strode through an empty hospital while she recuperates. Meanwhile, Doctor Loomis (played by Donald Pleasance) continues to hunt Myers down, intending to put an end to the shape once and for all. The first thing I need to note is that Halloween II is much more of a standard 80s slasher movie. The body count is higher, and the film adds more gore. The twist involving Michael and Laurie's relationship is fine. It's not really something I've ever really had strong feelings about one way or the other. I actually don't think Laurie Strode is as a strong of a character in this film as she is in the first film (or some of the later films to come). She doesn't really feel like an overly active protagonist. Loomis (and Donald Pleasance's performance) is once again in top form as character. It feels like the longer he pursues Michael, the more he seems to slip into madness. The rest of the acting is fine. It's not really anything spectacular, but it's better than a lot of the acting slasher films tend to offer. The hospital setting actually works really well, making for one of the film's most effective aspects. Is it realistic for a functioning hospital to look this empty? No, but it works for what the film is going for, and I can't really fault the movie for that. Overall, I think Halloween II is a fine enough sequel. I can't say it's one of my personal favorites of the franchise, but I definitely can't say it's one of the worst in the franchise either.

7 / 10