Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 10, 2022

1995’s “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” didn’t do what it was supposed to do. The idea was to continue what was teased in “Halloween: The Revenge of Michael Myers,” picking up years later to examine the evil that powers the masked brutalizer, going deeper into cult origins or weird science, depending on which version of the movie was viewed. The sixth installment of the “Halloween” franchise was largely denied by the public, who moved on to other genre offerings that year, necessitating a grand rethinking of creative direction for the brand name. Instead of going forward, the producers elected to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original “Halloween” by going backwards, talking actress Jamie Lee Curtis into returning to the saga as Laurie Strode, preparing a proper reunion between brother and sister. 1998’s “Halloween H20” is meant to be a return to basics, focused on putting Laurie back into the line of fire, once again pursued by Michael Myers and his tireless quest to obliterate his sibling.

“Halloween H20” has a lot going for it, determined to be a simpler exercise in suspense after the convoluted and extensively reworked plot of “The Curse of Michael Myers.” The Shape is back on the scene, delivering his first blast of fury in a prologue where Nurse Chambers (Nancy Stephens, reprising her role from the first two films) discovers she’s not alone in her house, unable to defeat evil coming for her in the cover of night. It’s a lengthy sequence for a short feature (86 minutes), putting the Laurie arc in motion right when it begins, catching up to a visibly agitated woman on Halloween, turning to alcohol to soothe her nerves as she worries about the safety of loved ones, including her son, John (Josh Hartnett, becoming a top contender for cinema’s worst hairstyle). The screenplay (by Robert Zappia and Matt Greenberg) makes an effort to understand Laurie’s nervous ways, working to bring some character depth to the picture, which gives Curtis something to play. And she offers incredibly strong work in the part, feeling the burn of paranoia and the horror of reality once it becomes clear that Michael Myers is actually back in her life, ready to finish what he’s started.

There’s a teen angle to “Halloween H20,” but it’s largely inoffensive, rolling through formulaic horniness and high jinks with the younger characters, building them up for the slaughter to come. It’s familiar, but director Steve Miner (“Friday the 13th Part 2,” “Lake Placid”) keeps it moving along, more interested in Laurie’s experience as a person on the edge, with her worst fears suddenly confirmed. Again, it’s a short picture, with all the fat trimmed to concentrate on Laurie’s reunion with Michael Myers, which is exactly what this endeavor should be. No more cults, no Haddonfield, and no Loomis. Just the siblings finally coming to blows.

For additional analysis and information, please read:

Martin Liebman’s 2011 Blu-ray review.

Kenneth Brown’s 2014 Blu-ray review.

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Halloween H20" has previously been released on Blu-ray in various editions, with Shout Factory taking their first swing with the title back in 2014. They return with a UHD release in 2022, giving the feature a Dolby Vision viewing experience (sourced from a "4K scan of the original camera negative"). Cinematography-wise, the movie is a bit flatter at times, lacking a robust sense of style, but detail is strong, picking up skin particulars with a cast of many ages, and Michael Myers and his shifting masks are nicely textured, going from smoothness to battered. School interiors deliver a full sense of decoration, and town tours are dimensional. Color is a bit subdued overall, with reds most pronounced, making skin tones a bit too hot at times. Autumnal hues are appealing, delivering brighter greenery, and costuming registers with distinct primaries. Highlights are mellow, giving some presence for daylight events and seasonal lighting sources. Delineation is satisfactory, handling shadow play and evening action with deep blacks. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong condition.

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures fresh, clean dialogue exchanges, maintaining balance with argumentative events and hushed encounters. Scoring offers compelling fullness with clear instrumentation. Bass events and action beats deliver some low-end rumble. Surrounds are most active with music cues, and the track explores some atmospherics, but mostly retains frontal power. Sound effects are distinct throughout, often favoring the swinging of steel knives.

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Steve Miner and actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

• "Blood is Thicker Than Water" (58:45, HD) is an excellent making-of for "Halloween H20," featuring interviews with writer Robert Zappia, producer Malek Akkad, cinematographer Daryn Okada, editor Patrick Lussier, stunt coordinator Donna Keegan, composer John Ottman, special effects makeup artists John Carl Buechler and Brad Hardin, and actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Kane, Josh Hartnett, Jodi Lyn-O'Keefe, Adam Hann-Byrd, and Chris Durand. The documentary is split into two parts, examining the development of "H20," which was originally conceived as a DTV title for Dimension Films. The addition of Curtis magically turned the movie into a horror event, requiring some rewriting to make it work. Casting is analyzed, with Hartnett's terrible hair finally explained, and production challenges are inspected, including the failure to secure a consistent Michael Myers mask during filming, requiring reshoots and even CGI to find a way to a final design. More candor is shared about the score, which was pieced together from two composers. Kane reveals his part as a Donald Pleasance sound-alike, and a shortened post-production period is inspected, with the feature speeding to a release, enduring many changes along the way. The success of "H20" is recalled, but production participants also offer their disappointment with "Halloween: Resurrection," viewing it as a bad idea.

• John Ottman's Score (24:05, HD) provides a collection of "H20" scenes with the composer's deleted music, which is much more Hitchcockian than what ultimately ended up in the film.

• Vintage EPK (45:36, SD) includes interviews with director Steve Miner, producer Moustapha Akkad, and actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Adam Arkin, LL Cool J, Janet Leigh, Michelle Williams, Josh Hartnett, Adam Hann-Byrd, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The interviewees try out their used car salesman techniques to help hype up "H20," discussing the material, characterization, and the "Halloween" legacy. Also included is B- roll footage, showcasing the production in motion.

• Still Gallery (8:00) collects poster art, film stills, BTS snaps, and publicity shots.

• T.V. Spot (:32, SD) provides a commercial for "Halloween H20."

• And a Trailer (1:57, SD) is included.

Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Halloween H20" gets violent for its grand finale, and it really starts to cook once Laurie gets into fighter mode. It's not a supreme genre battle, but the hits keep coming and survival challenges are plentiful. Miner delivers some tight suspense and bodily harm, leading to an excellent conclusion where Laurie comes into contact with the peace she's been craving for decades, giving the series a wonderfully blunt conclusion that finally achieves a definitive resolution for this saga. An end to all the suffering. A final swing of the blade.

Oh, wait…