Halloween Ends 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Halloween Ends 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 3, 2023

Does anyone really believe that Halloween Ends will, as its name suggests, usher in a future history with no more films in the franchise? Sure, it might very well bring this current trilogy of reboot/sequel films to a close -- it follows on the popular Halloween and Halloween Kills -- but really is this the very end of the franchise that has spawned no less than 13 films in about four-and-a-half decades? Not likely. John Carpenter's original classic has yet to be topped, and it won't; it's not only the best in the series, it's also a standard bearer in the larger Horror, and film, marketplace. There may be nothing left of value to explore in the Halloween universe (and there really wasn't much to explore in this film, either), but one can be almost sure that after some respite Michael Meyers will once again be slashing through Haddonfield (though hopefully not outer space) on the silver screen once again in the future when some filmmaker with visions of grandeur taps back into this blood-soaked world for a stab at Horror glory.

Some major spoilers for the film follow.

It is Halloween once again in Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael is still out there, and he’s primed to strike. Unless someone beats him to the punch. When a young 21-year-old man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), babysits for a wealthy family, he expects to pocket a few extra dollars for little effort. Instead, the boy in his charge dies and, while he is not found complicit in the death, he becomes a social pariah in Haddonfield, bullied and battered and unbale to live his life. Things change when he has a chance run-in with Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) who, rather than kill Corey, somehow recognizes the beast within him. Corey suddenly finds himself a changed man, desiring to deal death much like Michael himself. He finds an unlikely ally in Laurie Strode's (Jamie Lee Curtis) granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). As the bodies mount, Haddonfield finds itself once again in the grip of madness. Can Laurie finally put an end to the killing once and for all?

Halloween Ends may prove to be the most divisive entry in the series since Halloween III, and that film only because it really had nothing to do with the Michael Myers side of the universe. This film introduces a new antagonist and does little that's truly interesting or unique with him. The story of a relatively good guy who makes a mistake, is outcast, and goes bad is not terribly novel, and the film cannot find much of a significant, narratively worthwhile, or universe building arc for him, never mind do anything to leave a lasting legacy on the franchise. Still, kudos to the film for trying something different, but fans will immediately think of several more interesting ways that the character could have been integrated into the film and the franchise beyond what is here.

The film is relatively slow. It's nearly an hour before Michael gets going and the bodies start to mount. That's a lot of exposition for a film about a masked slasher, especially for the low reward that turns out for the high risk of building up Corey. The film is nowhere near as gruesome as its predecessor, either, if that matters, though the climax and the dénouement certainly don't shy away from some pretty intense blood and guts. The cast plays it pretty lackluster, too. Curtis feels disengaged and the film doesn't adequately delve into her psyche very well, though in its defense the character's lore is so large already that there's nowhere else to go with her.

Halloween Ends 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Halloween Kills does not revolutionize the UHD format or push the format even close to its limits, but the film certainly puts its best foot forward on this format. Universal's 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation offers a quality, though certainly not monumental, upgrade over the companion and concurrently released Blu-ray. The image here enjoys noticeable gains at the 2160p resolution, offering sharper, cleaner skin definition, showing fine pores and lines and hairs with tangible improvements to overall sharpness and visibility. Even in low light -- down in the dark hole where Michael Myers lives -- viewers will notice the improvements to the roughhewn textures. Clothing is pleasantly sharp, as are various Haddonfield exteriors, though never so sharp as to give the film an artificial look. On the contrary, this has a very natural, cinematic quality to it. For the best in clarity and definition, not to mention the absolute absence of compression issues and the superior low light noise management compared to the Blu-ray, this is certainly the way to go.

The Dolby Vision color grading is likewise a very nice improvement over the Blu-ray. The grading offers the usual stable of improvements, including greater color depth, enhanced contrast, and more tonal finesse and balance in evidence through the totality of the experience. Black levels, which are so vital to this movie, enjoy a healthy gain to density and depth without crushing out critical details in low light situations. Whites are bright and skin tones are very healthy and natural, though of course with the movie being so dark so much of the time it takes a very well-lit exterior to fully appreciate. In that good light viewers will note the deeper, more satisfying colors that offer a superior cinematic experience, making this the definitive home version of the film. It looks great even if it doesn't set a new standard for the UHD format.

Halloween Ends 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is excellent. Its quality is in evidence even form the opening minutes where various creaks and slamming doors pepper the stage as Corey seeks out Jeremy in the house, moments before tragedy. Such high-power discrete elements carry throughout, not all of them taking full advantage of the height channels but certainly making use of the full stage and the surround-back speakers for some highly involved and engaging content. Score is fluid and very nicely detailed. Bass is prominent and borders on prolific. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration. This is a great listen from Universal and Dolby.

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

This Blu-ray release of Halloween Ends includes a quality assortment of bonuses. A Blu-ray copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (2160p/Dolby Vision, 7:06 total runtime): Included are Michael Shakes Things Up, Joan's Bunny Slam, Corey Reflects Upon Himself, Ronald's Stuck at Work, Margo Gets the Boot, and Joan's Recipe for Disaster.
• Final Girl (2160p/Dolby Vision, 4:40): Looking back at Jamie Lee Curtis' four-decade legacy in the Halloween franchise and her character's role in this film.
• No Place Like Haddonfield (2160p/Dolby Vision, 7:49): Exploring how this film looks at some of the nooks and crannies around Haddonfield and how the town's bloody history has impacted the town and the people in it. It also looks at support characters, the franchise's rhythm, David Gordon Green's direction, and more.
• Gag Reel (2160p/Dolby Vision, 2:45): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• Ending Halloween (2160p/Dolby Vision, 8:26): Exploring the franchise's evolution and reaching the final climactic showdown between protagonist and antagonist.
• A Different Threat (2160p/Dolby Vision, 5:43): Looking at the film's new villain, Corey.
• The Visions of Terror (2160p/Dolby Vision, 5:47): Michael Myers costumes and continuity, the iconic mask, the cave set, the radio station, inspirations, and the overall texture and look of this Halloween trilogy.
• Twisted Deaths (2160p/Dolby Vision, 5:02): Making a few of the key kills in the film.
• Audio Commentary: Co-Writer/Director David Gordon Green, Actors Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell, Co-Producer/First Assistant Director Atilla Salih Yücer, and Production Assistant Hugo Garza chat about the film.

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

Halloween Ends has some really good parts in place, but it squanders too many of them and flounders even when it seems to be inching closer to the target. It's a solid movie but it's also a fairly lifeless movie. It's an entertaining movie but also a disappointing movie. "If only..." will likely be a common water cooler refrain. Universal's UHD is very good, at least, delivering high yield video and audio experiences and a healthy allotment of bonus content. Recommended.