Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Halloween 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-own 4K UHD box-set with an exclusive 7" vinyl record.

Halloween is one of the greatest horror feature-films of all time: a must-see masterpiece of piercing perfection. The slasher-stalker epic unfolds on Halloween and is full-to-the-brim of dreaded horror. Produced on a meager budget (as an independent production), Halloween went on to become one of the biggest franchises in film history (horror or otherwise). Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Tony Moran, Nancy Loomis, and P J Soles, Halloween is an essential.

15 years following the cold-blooded murder of his sister on Halloween in 1963, Michael Myers (Tony Moran) escapes from a mental institution and returns to Haddonfield, Illinois with more blood lust. Stalking the beautiful Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) from a distance, Myers starts a blood-infused rampage across the community as he slaughters one victim after another. Dead bodies are starting to pile up. Can Laurie survive the horrors of Halloween night?

The performances hold up to this day. Jamie Lee Curtis is perfection as Laurie: the role is one of her absolute best parts (in fact, Jamie Lee Curtis ranks it as her favorite performance alongside A Fish Called Wanda and True Lies). Laurie is a tough and smart woman who won't sit-back and let the ruthless killer, Michael Myers, win. On that note, Tony Moran is great as Myers: giving the iconic character a sense of monstrosity that is undeniably compelling to watch unfold. The supporting cast impresses, too: Donald Pleasence is first- rate as Loomis (the best he ever was in the Halloween film series). Nancy Loomis and P J Soles are exceptional in their roles as well.

A timeless masterpiece.

As a legendary horror classic, Halloween has an exceptional production design by Tommy Lee Wallace (The Fog). The sets and stages are remarkable – superior to many feature-films that cost ten times as much to produce. The opening scene (with a young Michael Myers murdering his sister) had to be filmed over-and-over again to get a perfect one-take (as the scene uses the Scorsese- style camera take – footage without breaking). The staging is perfect.

The cinematography by Dean Cundey (Back to the Future, Jurassic Park) is one of the best efforts a cinematographer has ever made in the horror genre. The visual element of the film is one of the main reasons behind the massive success of the feature-film: its a gorgeous looking film and it creates a sense of dread with its careful lensing. If a cinematographer can achieve perfection, this is it.

Directed by John Carpenter (The Thing, Christine), who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Debra Hill (The Fog, Escape from L.A.), Halloween is that rare horror masterpiece that never ages. A perfect film, Halloween can be re-watched again-and-again without losing its sense of dread or mystery. The young John Carpenter cemented himself as a cinema master with Halloween and the horror genre was never the same again.

For additional information on Halloween and an alternate-take, please refer to the review by my colleague Brian Orndorf.

Halloween 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Halloween arrives on 4K UHD in the original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The release is presented in HEVC / H.265 2160p. The release is a native 4K scan of the feature-film. This is a superior presentation to the previous Lionsgate edition and the scan retains a healthy layer of fine natural film-grain. For additional information on the presentation quality, please refer to the review by my colleague Brian Orndorf.

Halloween 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with several audio options: Dolby Atmos (a new audio mix option with atmospheric surrounds) is provided alongside DTS- HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The original mono soundtrack is what most listeners will prefer, but the release has a nice selection of alternative options for any mood. For additional information on the audio-quality, please refer to the review by my colleague Brian Orndorf.

Halloween 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Sacred Bones collectors edition is a must-have for vinyl enthusiasts. The release includes a gorgeous collectors art-box with a silver-foil print on the front. The set includes a special case containing both the standard collectors edition on 4K UHD and an exclusive 7" vinyl.

The exclusive vinyl record is worth the price of admission for the collectors edition: the record has a fantastic black-and-orange mix which is perfect for the Halloween film series. The record sounds exceptionally clean and crisp and there were no issues with the pressing. John Carpenter is a music genius: creating a haunting original score that is as iconic and memorable as the filmmaking itself.

The release includes the following tracks:

Side A:

Halloween Theme (Original)

Side B:

Laurie's Theme (Newly Recorded)

The release features music composed by John Carpenter. Performed by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies. Mixed by John Spiker.

The 4K UHD collectors edition release (available from Sacred Bones) includes the same supplemental package as the standard-edition. For additional information on the supplemental package, please refer to the review by my colleague Brian Orndorf.

Halloween 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Halloween is one of the best films ever made. Horror aficionados and newcomers alike will delight in the collectors edition 4K UHD box-set from Shout Factory and Sacred Bones Records. The set has a three-disc release, an exclusive 7" colored vinyl record, and a collectible art-box. A must-own edition for vinyl fans who want an extra-special 4K UHD package.