Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Just when you thought it was safe to go trick-or-treating in Haddonfield again…here comes 1989’s “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers,” which represents producer Moustapha Akkad’s quest for maximum box office profit, turning around a sequel to “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” in just a hair under a year. As explored in the supplementary material on the Blu-ray, the shoot for the fourth sequel began without a completed screenplay, and one can easily tell this from the general make-em-up nature of the film, which never offers a clear franchise idea worth pursuing. “Halloween 5” is a mess, but director Dominique Othenin-Girard tries to provide a stylish return to Michael Myers and his night of terror, overseeing impressive technical achievements that help the feature seem a little different than what’s come before. Beyond some slick moviemaking, the endeavor doesn’t come together, stumbling around with half-baked ideas and needless character deaths, trying to keep the gravy train running without thinking things through.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray release of "Halloween 5."

Previously released on Blu-ray in 2012, "Halloween 5" returns to disc with a 4K release that obviously tops what's come before (sourced from scan of the original camera negative). The Dolby Vision presentation is compelling, but it has a bit of an advantage over "Halloween 4," which tried to sell the illusion of seasonal horror in the dead of autumn. "Halloween 5" isn't big on movie magic, and it clearly takes place in the summertime, delivering bright highlights with sunny day activities, and rich greenery is plentiful. Colors are excellent, working with distinct hues on period outfits, which deliver sharp pinks and blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is precise throughout the viewing experience, capturing shadow play and evening activities. Detail is sharp, exploring skin textures as mangled bodies are displayed, and facial surfaces are crisp. Seasonal outfits and police jackets are fibrous. Grain is nicely resolved, running a tad heavier at times. Source is in excellent condition.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix supplies a wider sense of engagement with suspense set pieces, finding mystery movement captured in subtle panning effects. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and inviting, with distinct voices and emotional moments. Group activity in parties is also crisply defined. Scoring cues are clear and pronounced, offering a circular presence and clean instrumentation. Atmospherics are active, dealing with weather changes and farmhouse movement, and exterior activity maintains the chirping sounds of nature. Sound effects also come through with authority, identifying bodily harm and explosions, adding some low-end weight.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary #1 features actor Don Shanks.

• Commentary #2 features director Dominique Othenin-Girard, and actors Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Landman.

• Commentary #1 features actor Don Shanks.

• Commentary #2 features director Dominique Othenin-Girard, and actors Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Landman.

• "Of Darkness and Shadows: The Cinematography of 'Halloween 5'" (18:35, HD) is a conversation with Robert Draper, who explores his role in the making of the movie, tasked with finding a unique style for the sequel. The Utah shoot is detailed, with Draper welcoming his second child during the making of the feature. Technical challenges are recalled, and an assessment of director Dominique Othenin-Girard is offered. Select sequences are analyzed, identifying creative achievements. And Draper offers his complete confusion with the Man in Black character.

• "Inside 'Halloween 5'" (15:11, SD) is a 2000 making-of featuring interviews with producer Moustapha Akkad, director Dominique Othenin-Girard, cinematographer Robert Draper, and actors Don Shanks, Danielle Harris, and Ellie Cornell. Eager to cash-in on the success of "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers," Akkad immediately put a sequel into production, returning to Utah to create another round of horror happenings with The Shape. Casting is highlighted, and stunts are detailed, with Shanks getting a little too close to injury during the shoot. Death scenes are recalled, and the interviewees share their thoughts on the addition of the Man in Black.

• "Dead Man's Party: The Making of 'Halloween 5'" (44:26, HD) is a 2014 documentary featuring interviews with studio executive Malek Akkad, line producer Rick Nathanson, composer Alan Howarth, and actors Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Don Shanks, George Wilbur, Wendy Kaplan, Jonathan Chapin, Matthew Walker, Tamara Glynn, Jeffrey Landman, Frankie Como, and Beau Starr. What's fascinating about these conversations is the candor involved, with the interviewees openly criticizing the movie, which was rushed into production without a completed script. Writing choices are identified and sometime roasted, with characterizations changing throughout the shoot, seemingly at random. Comedy ideas are questioned as well. Location fun is identified, with cast and crew camaraderie helping the mood. Creative challenges are examined, working through select scenes to understand achievements. Music is highlighted, and Donald Pleasance is fondly remembered.

• "On the Set" (16:16, SD) is an interesting mix of B-roll footage and cast interviews, showcasing the production effort on "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers," watching the crew set up shots and manage the actors.

• "'Halloween 5' Promo" (5:50, SD) is an EPK featurette on the making of the film, featuring on-set interviews with crew and cast, including Donald Pleasance.

• Additional Gore Footage (:28, HD) unearths a few grisly shots trimmed from the feature to help secure an R rating.

• "The Doctor is In"(7:37, HD) restores the original opening of "Halloween 5," focusing on Dr. Death's efforts to revive Michael Myers with help from black magic.

• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" (23:59, HD) is hosted by Sean Clark, who visits Utah locations used during the making of "Halloween 5," joined by actor Don Shanks.

• Newsprint Ad Gallery (1:48) gathers advertisements from various cities and dates, also including video store listings and a pay-per-view schedule.

• T.V. Spots (1:12, SD) provides three commercials for "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers."

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

• And a Theatrical Trailer (:44, SD) is included.

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers" doesn't make any effort to follow what "Halloween 4" started, eschewing the conclusion of the previous picture to find its own way into survival situations with young Jamie (Danielle Harris) and Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), electing to create a cliffhanger conclusion with the arrival of the Man in Black, a mysterious figure of possible cult connection to Michael Myers that's never clarified or even enthusiastically photographed. The character is merely meant to keep things confusing to stir up grosses for a sixth chapter. However, the Man in Black is only a small problem in the endeavor, which doesn't think many of its ideas through (distinct cartoon sound effects supporting the antics of two boob- ish cops are unforgivable), including the sudden removal of a key character from "Halloween 4." It's a hasty decision that throws the writing out of whack, suddenly tasked with establishing new personalities (unlikable ones too) when the production had interesting momentum from the last feature already set to go. "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers" is an unnecessary do-over from Akkad, who aimed to make the most money possible off the brand name, but for this cash-in production, he didn't want to put in the work to make it at least entertaining. He just wanted mindless product for multiplexes, and that's exactly what this is.