I was able to get my hands on a copy of this one, and I was very surprised with just how good it was. Without a question, this is the version that true fans of the series will prefer.The basic story:
What happened to Jamie at the end of Part 5? Who is the man in black? Is Michael a daddy? Is Loomis doomed? Why wasn’t this the theatrical cut??? All these questions and finally some answers.
The Lowdown:
This is a review of the first cut of Halloween 6, the version the studios didn’t want to release.
This flick is closer to the feel of the previous Halloween flicks, no quick flashes and no trippy montages. In the theatrical cut the flash made up for the chopped up storyline but here it’s not needed since the storyline makes sense and is fuller.
Loomis (who narrates the film instead of Tommy in this cut) has a deeper part in the story (as it should be), Jamie’s fate at the end of part 5 is shown instead of verbally implied, the Cult stuff is clearly explained (except for why some of them wear silly jumpsuits…lol), Jamie’s death has more purpose and Jamie’s baby’s roots are now crystal clear (Michael rapes Jamie in a flashback).
The ending is completely different that the one in the theatrical cut. Although I was never a fan of that druid/thorn mumbo jumbo, at least this ending stays true to the rest of the film, makes sense and ends with a shocking last image.
This version does have the same problems as the Theatrical cut: Michael's knack for teleportation, Michael planting one of his victims body up a tree, cardboard characters, side haracters we don't care about, lots of druid bullcrap, a whodunit that's way too easy to figure out and lack of true suspense.
But in the end this version is more complete and satisfying than its theatrical counterpart.
Gore:
Here the killings are less axed on the gore. They’re closer in feel to the first Halloween. The exploding head is gone and so is the death by farm equipment. Michael sticks to axes and knives. The gore is low but the violence is still there.
T & A:
Disposable girlfriend shows us her bits in this version too…yippee!
SOUNDTRACK:
The lean guitar twang is gone and instead we get a score that’s closer to the original Halloween score.
BOTTOM LINE:
The only question I have left is: Why didn’t the studio release this cut? It’s clearly a superior film to the version they delivered. If anyone knows the answer…let me know. This version stays true to the Halloween spirit and brings the storyline brought up in Part 5 full circle. It’s more linear, makes sense and is subtler. I personally enjoyed this version more, specially the ending…it hits hard. Too bad most of you won’t see it.
BULL'S EYE:
- The ending in the Producer's Cut was the first to be filmed. After Donald Pleasance's death in 1995, the ending was rewritten and re-shot due to the fact that Pleasance would've been needed for the next installment. The released ending was written by Champelle.
- Also, in the last 15 minutes of the theatrical release when everyone's at Smith's Grove, the Shape is actually played by A. Michael Lerner, because Wilbur was not available for the ending's re-shoot. So, it's actually A. Michael Lerner's father that he is chasing down the hall and slamming his face against the metal door.
- The original script called for a chase scene between Barry Simms and Michael where Simms thought that Michael was another costumed kid. Simms climbs into Michael's van to hide. Michael smashes the window and kills him. Also, Tim and Beth were supposed to see Michael carrying Barry Simms to the tree while they were leaving much like when Tommy saw him carrying Annie in the first one. And when the little girl is feeling red rain, it was originally a group of kids.
- The writer of the script, Daniel Farrands wanted the film to be shot in Pasadena where the original was filmed but it was instead filmed in Salt Lake City like the previous two.
- The script went through 11 drafts.
- Most of the music on the soundtrack is the music from the Producer's Cut, but it doesn't feature the much better version of the Halloween theme in the Producer's Cut.
I remmeber going to see this one with some friends on opening night, and was very anxious and excited to see ANOTHER Halloween movie. There's something about being there on opening night, watching with other fans of Halloween. It just makes for a better time and a better show. Once I went back and watched it on DVD, I kind of got bored with it...and still do.The Baisc Story:
Halloween 4-5-6 are discarded and this one takes place 20 years after the second one. Laurie Strode now in the witness relocation program and head mistress of a posh school has become one messed up woman. She drinks like a sailor, swears like a truck driver and is one paranoid mess. Her young son John takes care of her but he’s getting fed up with her crap and just wants to go on with his life. Just when Laurie decides to chill out and give her son some space, uncle Michael comes to town with his bag of goodies.
The Lowdown:
This movie is what would happen if Michael Myers would walk on the set of Dawson’s Creek. Now, I have nothing against Dawson’s Creek but it has jack all to do with horror flicks. This movie has two things going for it. 1: The relationship between Laurie and John. 2: 15 minutes of suspense at the end. It definitely has its moments, but just falls short of what I was hoping it would be. Steve Miner, the director of this one, knows a thing or two about horror flicks (directed Friday The 13th 2-3 and Warlock). Too bad he only remembered them in the last 15 minutes of the film.
The Blood and Guts:
Weak…but Michael really gives it to Jody Lyn O’ Keefe, ouch…I guess Mike also saw "She’s All That".
The good stuff:
Nudity is not in "the new teens" contracts. LL Cool J could have at least shown his ass or something.
The Music:
Reworking of Carpenter’s score. It works well.
The Bottom Line:
I know I’m hard on this one but I love "The Shape" and I hate to see him become an "Egg Mc Muffin" or a "Clearasil" tube. The movie does have good production values and some tension in the end but it has nothing to do with the spirit of "Halloween". They took the Michael Myers character and packaged him in a commercial teen flick. Hardly anybody dies in this one, it’s full of fake scares, scenes that lead nowhere and it reeks of Williamson. If I want to see the car Janet Leigh drove in "Psycho", I’ll rent Psycho.
Trivia:
What's with the tag line: Blood is thicker than water. Even that’s a joke (H20…get it?)
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