HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995, USA, 88m, 18) **
Horror, Thriller
dist. Dimension Films; pr co. Halloween VI Productions / Miramax Films / Nightfall; d. Joe Chappelle; w. Daniel Farrands (based on characters created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill); pr. Paul Freeman; ph. Billy Dickson (Colour | 1.85:1); m. Alan Howarth, Paul Rabjohns; ed. Randy Bricker; pd. Bryan Ryman; ad. T.K. Kirkpatrick.
cast: Donald Pleasence (Dr. Loomis), Paul Rudd (Tommy Doyle), Marianne Hagan (Kara Strode), Mitchell Ryan (Dr. Wynn), Kim Darby (Debra Strode), Bradford English (John Strode), Keith Bogart (Tim Strode), Mariah O’Brien (Beth), Leo Geter (Barry Simms), J.C. Brandy (Jamie Lloyd), Devin Gardner (Danny Strode), Susan Swift (Mary), George P. Wilbur (The Shape), Janice Knickrehm (Mrs. Blankenship), Alan Echeverria (Dr. Bonham), Hildur Ruriks (Dawn), Sheri Hicks (Paramedic), Tom Proctor (Motorist), Bryan Morris (Attendant), Lee Ju Chew (Nurse).
This sixth instalment (the fifth in the Michael Myers story arc) sees Myers (Wilbur) targeting Tommy Doyle (Rudd), a young man tied into the legacy of the killer and his connections with the Strode family. As the supernatural elements of Michael’s macabre abilities are explored, his long-time adversary, Dr. Sam Loomis (Pleasence), is also back in yet another attempt to stop the psychopath’s brutal rampages. The story holds together slightly better than its predecessor but tails off considerably in its ludicrous finale. Familiar jump scares abound but very little tension is built by Chappelle. The film is dedicated to Pleasence who died shortly after the film was completed. The producer’s cut runs 96m. Followed by HALLOWEEN H20: 20 YEARS LATER (1998).
