HALLOWEEN H20: TWENTY YEARS LATER (1998, USA, 86m, 18) ***
Horror, Thriller
dist. Dimension Films (USA), Buena Vista Interna-tional (UK); pr co. Dimension Films / Nightfall Productions / Trancas International Films; d. Steve Miner; w. Robert Zappia, Matt Greenberg (based on a story by Robert Zappia and characters created by Debra Hill and John Carpenter); pr. Paul Freeman; ph. Daryn Okada (Technicolor | 2.35:1); m. John Ottman, Jeremy Sweet; ed. Patrick Lussier; pd. John Willett; ad. Dawn Snyder.
cast: Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode / Keri Tate), Adam Arkin (Will Brennan), Michelle Williams (Molly), Adam Hann-Byrd (Charlie), Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (Sarah), Janet Leigh (Norma), Josh Hartnett (John), LL Cool J (Ronny), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Jimmy), Branden Williams (Tony), Nancy Stephens (Marion), Beau Billingslea (Fitz), Matt Winston (Matt), Larisa Miller (Claudia), Emmalee Thompson (Casey), David Blanchard (Waiter), John Cassini (Cop #1), Jody Wood (Cop #2), LisaGay Hamilton (Shirl (voice)), Chris Durand (Michael).
Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, former babysitter Laurie Strode (Curtis) finds herself hunted by persistent knife-wielder Michael Myers. Laurie now lives in Northern California under an assumed name, where she works as the headmistress of a private school. But it’s not far enough to escape Myers, who soon discovers her whereabouts. As Halloween descends upon Laurie’s peaceful community, a feeling of dread weighs upon her — with good reason. The horror sequel is a largely effective thriller with a fair share of tension and shocks. Curtis returns to the franchise and delivers a performance of depth, which stands out against more familiar genre material. Let down by its insistence on going for one climax too many. An early role for Hartnett as Curtis’ faithful son. Followed by HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (2002).