The Halloween franchise, a cornerstone of the slasher genre, has seen its fair share of twists, turns, and timeline reboots. Following the cliffhanger ending of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, fans were left clamoring for answers. The film that directly followed H20 was Halloween: Resurrection, released in 2002.
A Controversial Continuation
Halloween: Resurrection picks up immediately after the events of H20, aiming to resolve the ambiguity surrounding Michael Myers’ demise. However, instead of a satisfying conclusion, the film presented a narrative that proved divisive among fans, significantly altering the established lore and ultimately leading to further reboots of the franchise. The plot revolves around a group of college students participating in a live internet broadcast from Michael Myers’ childhood home, a premise that diverges sharply from the previous films’ more grounded horror. This shift in tone and storyline caused a considerable rift in the Halloween fanbase, making Resurrection one of the most debated entries in the series.
Unraveling the Plot of Halloween: Resurrection
The opening scenes of Resurrection reveal that the Michael Myers decapitated by Laurie Strode in H20 was actually a paramedic wearing the killer’s mask. This plot device immediately drew criticism for seemingly undoing Laurie’s hard-won victory. The real Michael Myers tracks down Laurie at a psychiatric institution, where he ultimately kills her, cementing her definitive end in this timeline. From there, the movie follows the aforementioned college students as they are stalked and killed by Michael Myers while broadcasting live from the Myers house. The reality show element adds a meta-commentary on the horror genre and the public’s obsession with violence. The film concludes with a final confrontation, culminating in Michael’s apparent death by electrocution.
Understanding the Fan Reaction
The reception of Halloween: Resurrection was overwhelmingly negative. Critics and fans alike criticized the film for its weak plot, uninspired kills, and the perceived disrespect towards Laurie Strode’s character. Many felt that the reality show premise was gimmicky and failed to capture the suspense and atmosphere of the earlier films. The decision to kill off Laurie so early in the movie was particularly contentious, as it felt like a betrayal of her character arc and a disservice to Jamie Lee Curtis’s iconic performance. Resurrection is often cited as one of the worst films in the Halloween franchise, and its negative reception significantly impacted the direction of subsequent installments.
FAQs: Deep Diving into the Post-H20 Landscape
Here are some frequently asked questions addressing the complexities surrounding Halloween: Resurrection and its place within the Halloween franchise:
Question 1: Why did they decide to kill off Laurie Strode so quickly in Halloween: Resurrection?
The decision to kill off Laurie Strode was primarily driven by Jamie Lee Curtis’s desire to conclude her involvement with the franchise. She reportedly only agreed to return for Resurrection on the condition that her character would be killed off, allowing her to move on to other projects. The filmmakers obliged, though the execution of her death was widely criticized.
Question 2: How does Halloween: Resurrection fit into the overall Halloween timeline?
Halloween: Resurrection serves as the eighth installment in the original Halloween timeline, which began with John Carpenter’s 1978 classic and includes Halloween II, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and, finally, Halloween: Resurrection. It is important to note that this timeline was later disregarded by future films.
Question 3: What was the budget and box office performance of Halloween: Resurrection?
Halloween: Resurrection had a reported budget of around $13 million. It grossed approximately $37.6 million worldwide, making it a modest commercial success, but critically a failure.
Question 4: Who directed Halloween: Resurrection?
Halloween: Resurrection was directed by Rick Rosenthal, who had previously directed Halloween II (1981).
Question 5: What are some of the biggest criticisms leveled against Halloween: Resurrection?
Some of the most significant criticisms include its weak plot, the contrived explanation for Michael Myers’ survival in H20, the uninspired kills, the overuse of jump scares, and the controversial decision to kill off Laurie Strode. The reality TV show premise was also widely ridiculed.
Question 6: Was there a particular actor who received the most backlash for their role in the film?
While the film received widespread criticism, Busta Rhymes, who played Freddie Harris, the creator of the internet broadcast, garnered significant attention, both positive and negative. His portrayal was often seen as over-the-top and comedic, which clashed with the intended tone of the film.
Question 7: How did Halloween: Resurrection influence the direction of the Halloween franchise?
The negative reception of Halloween: Resurrection led to a complete reboot of the franchise with Rob Zombie’s Halloween in 2007. This reboot aimed to offer a fresh perspective on Michael Myers and Laurie Strode’s story, completely ignoring the events of Resurrection and other films in the original timeline.
Question 8: Does Halloween: Resurrection offer any redeeming qualities?
Despite its flaws, some argue that Halloween: Resurrection offers a glimpse into the early 2000s fascination with reality television and internet culture. However, these elements are largely overshadowed by the film’s other shortcomings.
Question 9: Are there any alternative endings or deleted scenes that could have improved Halloween: Resurrection?
While some deleted scenes exist, they primarily consist of extended death sequences and character interactions. It’s unlikely that any of them would have significantly altered the overall reception of the film. The core issues lie within the plot and character decisions.
Question 10: What is the significance of the title Halloween: Resurrection?
The title Halloween: Resurrection refers to Michael Myers’ repeated returns from apparent death. It also ironically alludes to the resurrection of the Halloween franchise itself, albeit in a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful manner.
Question 11: What other Halloween movies exist outside of the original timeline and the Zombie remakes?
Besides the original timeline (from Halloween to Halloween: Resurrection) and the Rob Zombie remakes (Halloween and Halloween II), there’s also the standalone film Halloween III: Season of the Witch, which is unrelated to Michael Myers. Finally, there’s the most recent timeline which includes Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends, effectively erasing all previous sequels except for the original 1978 film.
Question 12: Is Halloween: Resurrection considered canon within the current Halloween continuity?
Absolutely not. The Halloween franchise underwent another reboot in 2018 with David Gordon Green’s Halloween, which ignores all previous sequels except for the original 1978 film. Therefore, Halloween: Resurrection and all the films preceding the 2018 film are considered non-canon to the current timeline.
The Legacy of Resurrection: A Cautionary Tale
Halloween: Resurrection serves as a prime example of how a sequel can derail a beloved franchise. The film’s missteps in plot, character development, and tone ultimately contributed to its negative reception and led to a re-evaluation of the Halloween series. While it remains a part of the franchise’s history, it is often viewed as a cautionary tale of what not to do when continuing a horror legacy. The impact of Resurrection is undeniable, as it paved the way for future filmmakers to take risks and re-imagine the Halloween story in new and unexpected ways, although perhaps not always to universal acclaim.