5.6 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Four years after the events of last year’s Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Rohan Campbell, Will PattonHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 43% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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.
Halloween Ends ends up looking very good on Blu-ray. The 1080p transfer is solid top to bottom, with the only eyesore some source noise that is frequently in evidence in the numerous lower light moments throughout the film, beginning with the opening sequence. Otherwise, viewers will find a stable, clear, and nicely detailed picture throughout, even in the pervasive low light. The picture may not be the most abundantly sharp but it's stable, revealing, and well capable of delivering an image as expected of this style in 2022. Even in lower light viewers will see the wear on Myers' mask and the underground space in which he lives. Viewers will enjoy all of the appointments in the Strode home and clearly make out all of the gore throughout the film, including a particularly gruesome segment in a radio station. Colors are fine. The film is very dark so black levels are maybe the most critical. There is good depth and balance on display, superior on the companion and concurrently released UHD, but more than sufficient here. Blood is likewise deep, though again much of it is spilled in low light so there's not much red vividness on display. Daylight exposes quality natural greenery and healthy skin tones. This is a nice looking image, especially considering the lack of obvious compression anomalies.
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.
This Blu-ray release of Halloween Ends includes a quality assortment of bonuses. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy
code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.
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 Blu-ray is very good, at least, delivering high yield video and audio experiences and a healthy allotment of bonus content. Recommended.
Extended Cut
2021
2018
Collector's Edition
1988
2019
Collector's Edition
1989
Limited Edition
1980
30th Anniversary Edition | Includes "Terror in the Aisles"
1981
1981
Collector's Edition
1988
2017
Collector's Edition
1978
2023
Unrated Director's Cut
2010
2013
Collector's Edition
1990
Collector's Edition
1991
2022
Unrated Director's Cut
2009
1988
Uncut
2013