Halloween: Resurrection 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Halloween: Resurrection 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 10, 2022

The producers had it. They had it. 1998’s “Halloween H20” ended on a perfect note of rage and catharsis, giving Laurie Strode the conclusion she deserved after running from Michael Myers for two decades. There was nothing left in the Strode saga to mine, making the final minute of the feature deeply satisfying and refreshingly blunt. And then the movie made money. A sizable amount too, reigniting interest in a brand name that was slowly fading away. Profit was suddenly substantial, motivating Dimension Pictures to cough up a continuation solely out to sponge up the remaining financial potential of the revived series, settling on 2002’s “Halloween: Resurrection,” putting Curtis back in action for an extended cameo that’s a complete disservice to her character, while the rest is a dreadful display of bad acting and lame suspense, resulting in the worst chapter of the long-running franchise.

“Halloween: Resurrection” is really two movies, trying to follow the “Halloween H20” formula with the inclusion of an extended prologue before the main story kicks in. In the 2002 endeavor, the opening follows Laurie’s suddenly renewed battle with Michael Myers, putting the character back into panic mode to provide some connective tissue to the previous effort, but the sequence primarily serves as a cheap promotional tool, giving fans a small amount of time with their favorite character, allowing Dimension to add Curtis to the marketing campaign. The actress is only in the feature for a short amount of time, and what the writing cooks up for the character is insulting, quickly burning through the “Halloween H20” war before refocusing on a collection of college kids and their quest to survive a night in the house where Michael Myers received his first taste of blood.

For additional analysis and information, please read:

Martin Liebman’s 2012 Blu-ray review.

Kenneth Brown’s 2014 Blu-ray review.

Halloween: Resurrection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Halloween: Resurrection" 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"). "Halloween: Resurrection" offers a unique blend of 35mm cinematography and low-res video footage, with the latter looking as passable as possible, easily detected throughout the viewing experience. The rest of the movie carries crisp detail on facial particulars and interior decay, with house tours offering interesting textures, along with technological additions. Costuming is fibrous. Exteriors are limited, but retail ideal dimension. Color appears stable, with eye-catching pushes of blue lighting and warmer candlelight. Skin tones are natural. Costuming provides more period definition, with bright reds and blues. Blacks can be a bit oppressive at times but retain some depth, preserving the feature's extensive use of shadow play and darkness. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Halloween: Resurrection 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is quite active, presenting compelling panning effects and a louder sense of atmospherics, which deliver pronounced surround activity. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, switching from tinny video-based chat to set recordings, which secure clean performances. Music is commanding when needed, delivering sharp instrumentation and a more circular presence. Low-end provides power with violent activity and some bass thumping.

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

• Commentary features director Rick Rosenthal and editor Robert A. Ferretti.

• "Hell Raiser" (11:28, HD) is an interview with special makeup effects coordinator Gary J. Tunnicliffe, who jumped into the franchise in "The Curse of Michael Myers," joining the reshoots on the feature. Mask issues are identified, with Tunnicliffe tasked with fixing issues concerning the central horror visual, and the interviewee highlights his own performance as Michael Myers, filling in at times. Production achievements are noted, including a working recreation of the Myers house.

• "Butcher and the Blade" (8:27, HD) is an interview with actor Sean Patrick Thomas, who admits he was unfamiliar with the "Halloween" series when he was cast, seeking out the first picture when he got the job. Familiarity with director Rick Rosenthal is recalled, and character work is explored, helping with cast camaraderie. Set construction is celebrated, and the interviewee discusses technical challenges during his final moments onscreen.

• "Haddonfield North" (7:06, HD) is an interview with production designer Troy Hansen, who shares the elaborate effort to recreate the Myers House for "Halloween Resurrection," with interiors build one set at a time, while the full exterior was created on a stage as well. Director Rick Rosenthal is celebrated, with his focus on technological realism creating a challenging shoot.

• "Sister, Scream Queen Sister" (9:28, HD) is an interview with stunt coordinator Donna Keegan, who details her formative years, eventually deciding to become a stunt person. Meeting Jamie Lee Curtis by accident, Keegan quickly became her stunt double, forming a long- lasting relationship with the actress. The interviewee eventually found her way to the "Halloween" series, and she details her time with the franchise, including professional relationships with two actors playing Michael Myers. Keegan also shares slight wistfulness when discussing Curtis, last doubling her 12 years ago.

• "The Youngest Shape" (4:26, HD) is an interview with actor Gary J. Clayton, who explores his casting story on "Halloween Resurrection," getting the gig through his mother's involvement with the stunt team. Co-stars are recalled, and Clayton examines his own relationship with the business, returning to the industry to become a director.

• "Tales from the Script" (16:01, HD) is an interview with artist Stef Hutchinson, who was looking to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Halloween" with his own version of the franchise, hoping to bring things back to basics.

• Interview (6:53, SD) is a set tour with production designer Troy Hansen, who walkers viewers through the particulars of the Myers House, which was recreated on a sound stage.

• EPK Interviews (36:37, SD) include thoughts on the "Halloween" series from producer Moustapha Akkad, director Rick Rosenthal, and actors Jamie Lee Curtis, Bianca Kajlich, Busta Rhymes, Tyra Banks, Luke Kirby, Sean Patrick Thomas, Katee Sackhoff, Daisy McCrackin, and Thomas Ian Nicholas. B-roll footage is also included, providing a look at the production in motion.

• "Web Cam Special" (41:19, SD) compiles all the Dangertainment video footage from the film.

• "Head Cam" (4:12, HD) spotlights the production's effort to use real video capture technology for "Halloween: Resurrection."

• "Set Interview" (4:05, SD) is a brief making-of for the feature.

• Deleted Scenes and Alternate Endings (10:49, SD) are included, with the different conclusions just as bad as the theatrical one.

• Still Gallery (6:56) collects poster art, publicity shots, and film stills.

• Storyboards (3:51, SD) offer split-screen comparison between final footage and early art.

• Home Video T.V. Spots (:48, SD) offers two commercials for the DVD release of "Halloween: Resurrection."

• And a Trailer (2:19, SD) is included.

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

"Halloween: Resurrection" is directed by Rick Rosenthal, who previously guided "Halloween II," offering some experience with Michael Myers and the possibilities of his cinematic rampage. None of this genre training seems to be here, with Rosenthal overseeing glacial suspense sequences and terrible performances, especially from Busta Rhymes, who has no leading man qualities. And Michael Myers doesn't even feel like a threat here, going through the slasher motions in a contained space, with the helmer focused intently on formula, only breaking away from the norm for completely ridiculous ideas, including Rhymes's character and his use of half-speed martial arts to take on The Shape. "Halloween: Resurrection" plays more like a "Scary Movie" sequel than a "Halloween" continuation, allowing the franchise to reach the bottom of the barrel after 24 years of service.