Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 11, 2021

The murderous wrath of Michael Myers was seemingly stopped for good in 1981’s “Halloween II,” and the brand name’s box office potential was torpedoed with 1982’s “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” which tried to steer the franchise away from Myers-related havoc. Looking to make a comeback, 1988’s “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” puts The Shape back to work terrorizing the residents of Haddonfield, out to recreate the pure “Halloween” experience with a new cast and a back-to-basics creative approach. Director Dwight H. Little and screenwriter Alan B. McElroy are handed the keys to the series, tasked with getting Michael Myers back up and running, and with that limited goal in mind, “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” is successful, playing strictly to fans as the production endeavors to find fresh inspiration to take on traditional slasher business.

Unfortunately, “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” doesn’t have the nerve to break away from the terrible bloodline narrative direction of “Halloween II,” with McElroy creating Jamie (Danielle Harris), Michael Myers’s niece, as the reason for his return trip home. This family connection angle is basically worthless, adding nothing but needless complication to a series that’s done well with a minimalist approach to evil, keeping Michael Myers a figure of mystery, but now he’s just a grumpy uncle out to kill those connected to Jamie. Dr. Loomis returns with welcome excitability from actor Donald Pleasance, but the picture is always more compelling away from storytelling, with Little arranging some capable set pieces along the way, while overseeing decent performances, especially from Ellie Cornell, who portrays Jamie’s sister and guardian during a hellish night of survival.

For additional information and analysis, please read:

A 2012 Blu-ray review by Martin Liebman.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray release of "Halloween 4."

Shout Factory brings "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" to UHD, with the presentation sourced from a 4K scan of the original negative. Fans of the feature are treated to a very film-like viewing experience, with fine grain and deep blacks, protecting the shadow play director Dwight H. Little is aiming to create. Detail emerges with precision, and there's plenty to explore here, as the production visits decorated homes and local businesses, and facial surfaces are highly varied, from the youthful appearance of Jamie to the scarred and aged look of Dr. Loomis, with his changing burn makeup quite noticeable here. Costuming is fibrous, and dimension is strong as the story takes to neighborhood and rural areas. Colors are exceptional, offering a pleasing blueish look for moonlit chases, and interior lighting is warmer. Greenery is exact, along with store signage and autumnal additions. Skintones are natural. And yes, a brief glimpse of the pink mask remains intact. Highlights work well with elements of fire and home lighting, and sunlight is appealingly bright, often shining through colorful plastic bottles. Source is in excellent condition.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" is presented with multiple listening options, including the addition of a 5.1 Dolby Digital mix from the original DVD release. The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD track supplies an immersive understanding of the feature's attempts at suspense, with active surrounds that explore changes in weather and Michael Myers movement, along with community bustle with Halloween celebrations and posse gatherings. Dialogue exchanges are distinct, with crisp dramatic efforts and balanced hysterics. Scoring retains fullness with its synth power, offered a circular presence with sharp beats and some low-end thump. Sound effects are clear, with snappy gunfire and heavier explosions.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary #1 features actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris.

• Commentary #2 features director Dwight H. Little.

Blu-ray

• Commentary #1 features actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris.

• Commentary #2 features director Dwight H. Little.

• "Halloween 4: Final Cut" (16:47, SD) is a 2001 making-of for the picture, featuring interviews with executive producer Moustapha Akkad, director Dwight H. Little, producer Paul Freeman, screenwriter Alan B. McElroy, composer Alan Howarth, and actors Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell. Hiring stories are shared, with Little trying to advance his career with the job, while McElory only had eleven days to turn in the screenplay before a strike deadline. Casting is explored, revealing how Harris beat Melissa Joan Hart for the part of Jamie, and Donald Pleasance memories are shared. Little details camera tricks and stunt work, and admits it was a tiring shoot, leading to one silly costuming error. The climax of the feature is analyzed, and scoring from Howarth examines John Carpenter influences. And the release of "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" is recalled.

• "Back to Basics: The Making of 'Halloween 4'" (47:52, HD) is a 2014 production overview, featuring interviews with executive producer Moustapha Akkad, studio executive Malek Akkad, director Dwight H. Little, producer Paul Freeman, screenwriter Alan B. McElroy, composer Alan Howarth, makeup technician Ken Horn, special makeup effects artist John Carl Buechler, and actors Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Raymond O'Connor, Kathleen Kinmont, Sasha Jenson, Erik Preston, Tom Morgan, George Wilbur, and Beau Starr. Demanding a new "Halloween" sequel, Moustapha Akkad found his way to Little and McElroy, who worked to do something with the brand name after "Halloween III: Season of the Witch." Little's fandom remained with the first "Halloween," trying to match John Carpenter's ideas while also working to explain what happened to Michael Myers and Dr. Loomis since "Halloween II." An in-depth look at casting is presented, with the actors sharing their thoughts on character and camaraderie. Perhaps most interesting is an assessment of a mask screw-up that required quick thinking to fix, and work on Loomis's facial scar had to be changed once actor Donald Pleasance was informed it looked bad. Assessments of Moustapha Akkad and Little are provided, and suspense sequences are detailed, including a rooftop chase. Reshoots were eventually ordered for "Halloween 4," upping the gore to help satisfy audiences, and scoring highlights are shared by Howarth. The two-part documentary closes with memories of the original theatrical release, and regrets that "Halloween 5" did next to nothing with the dramatic seeds planted here.

• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" (25:50, HD) is hosted by Sean Clark, who visits Utah locations used during the making of "Halloween 4," touring neighborhoods and meeting with property owners, who are happy to discuss their memories of the shoot and the histories of the buildings.

• T.V. Spots (1:37, SD) provides four commercials for "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers."

• Newsprint Ad Gallery (2:36) gathers advertisements from various cities and dates, also including international showtimes and a pay-per-view schedule.

• Still Gallery (6:16) collects poster art, publicity shots, film stills, and BTS snaps.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:43, HD) is included.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Much like "Halloween II," "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" suffers from a formulaic approach to horror events. Instead of building on what's come before, it recycles most stalk-and-slash moments, though Little injects a bit more movement into the feature as the action takes to a rooftop chase and moving truck showdown. It's all entertaining and competently assembled (with the exception of costuming and mask creations for Michael Myers, who looks ridiculous at times), but the sameness that's meant to evoke an operatic sense of resurrection just feels like autopilot filmmaking at times.