Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Halloween Ends 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 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

Halloween Ends 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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 2:45): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• Ending Halloween (1080p, 8:26): Exploring the franchise's evolution and reaching the final climactic showdown between protagonist and antagonist.
• A Different Threat (1080p, 5:43): Looking at the film's new villain, Corey.
• The Visions of Terror (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 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 Blu-ray is very good, at least, delivering high yield video and audio experiences and a healthy allotment of bonus content. Recommended.