Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 10, 2022

In 1989, the “Halloween” series made a bold creative choice to end on a cliffhanger with the fifth installment, “The Revenge of Michael Myers.” Instead of being offered finality (at least the temporary stuff), the picture paved the way to another sequel, creating a mystery the production had no intention of solving right away, keeping things open for as many follow-ups as possible. Suddenly, there was a man in black busting head ghoul Michael Myers out of prison, with this development raising plenty of questions about motivation and relationships. Fans were set for a grand turn in the franchise’s dramatic direction, and then…nothing. Six years later, “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” arrived, offering new studio leadership (Harvey and Bob Weinstein) and a strange sense of closure, with the gap in years forcing the production to give in to perceived audience craving for blood and guts, gradually losing focus on everything that began in “The Revenge of Michael Myers.”

The Theatrical Cut of “The Curse of Michael Myers” didn’t do much business at the box office, with the Weinsteins ordering a grand reworking of director Joe Chappelle’s original cut, trying to dazzle teenage viewers instead of developing Michael Myers and his connection to the Cult of Thorn, which was teased at the end of “The Revenge of Michael Myers.” Audiences were left confused, inspiring the release of the Producer’s Cut in 2013, which represents the original version of “The Curse of Michael Myers” before studio tinkering, which resulted in a complete reshoot of the film’s final act. With two different edits of the movie now in the marketplace, fans are able to choose sides, offered the blunt edges and odd science of the Theatrical Cut or the semi-gothic approach and unsavory writing of the Producer’s Cut. While separate viewing experiences in many ways, the two cuts have one thing in common: they aren’t very satisfying.

For additional information and analysis, pleased read:

Kenneth Brown’s 2014 Blu-ray review.

Martin Liebman’s 2011 Blu-ray review.

“Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” is presented in two versions: a Theatrical Cut (88:01) and a Producer’s Cut (96:01).

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray, which doesn't accurately represent the 4K version of "The Curse of Michael Myers." Color inconsistency is present (which isn't on the UHD), along with darker black levels at times, slipping into solidification.

"Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" 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"). "The Curse of Michael Myers" falls in line with traditional "Halloween" cinematography, remaining in dark spaces for most of the run time, and blacks remain deep. Detail is excellent, providing a crisp look at skin and mask particulars, along with fibrous costuming. Town tours are dimensional, along with defined decoration with interiors. Color is distinct, with powerful washes of blue for evening lighting, and candlelight also dominates, providing a warmer sense of mood. Primaries are powerful. Skin tones are natural. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides clear dialogue exchanges, managing some strange performance choices and acts of outrage without slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring supports with authority, providing a clean synth sound with defined emphasis for suspense sequences. Music pushes out into the surrounds, along with some atmospherics, offering presence for weather events and community bustle. Low-end provides some heaviness with violence. Sound effects are crisp.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Theatrical Cut

• Commentary features screenwriter Daniel Farrands and composer Alan Howarth.

• Featurette (4:51, SD) offers some EPK salesmanship from director Joe Chappelle and actors Paul Rudd, Donald Pleasence, and Marianne Hagen.

• Still Gallery (11:54) collects poster art, publicity shots, film stills, BTS snaps, and special effects and costuming pictures.

• T.V. Spots (5:25, SD) offer commercials for "The Curse of Michael Myers."

• And a Trailer (1:11, SD) is included.

Producer's Cut

• Commentary features screenwriter Daniel Farrands and actress Marianne Hagan.

• "Acting Scared" (19:15, HD) is a dual interview with actresses Mariah O'Brien and J.C. Brandy. O'Brien explores her time in Salt Lake City, getting to know director Joe Chappelle and deal with a sudden snowstorm that panicked the production. Co-stars are assessed, including Paul Rudd, who took some time off to audition for "Clueless" during the shoot. Acting challenges are discussed, with nudity requirements disturbing the interviewee, who wasn't sure about the demands. Extensive reshoots are analyzed, with O'Brien preferring the scripted version of "The Curse of Michael Myers," and she offers an anecdote concerning the collision of her acting career and her "current" gig as an interior designer. Brandy shares her casting story and highlights the punishing locations, eventually struck down by hypothermia. Reshoots are inspected, and character work is explored.

• "Haddonfield's Horrors" (11:06, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Billy Dickson, cinematographer Thomas Callaway (who handled the reshoots), and production designer Bryan Ryman. The subject is the visual design of "The Curse of Michael Myers," with the trio offering three different perspectives on the creation of the feature, working through challenges both behind and in front of the camera. Dickson is most candid, sharing displeasure with reshot material.

• "The Shape of Things" (11:26, HD) is an interview with actor George P. Wilbur and special effects makeup artists John Carl Buechler and Brad Hardin. Technical challenges and mask design are discussed, with the production aiming for a more "classic" look for Michael Myers. Reshoots are soon discussed, with Wilbur recast as the masked ghoul, maintaining a healthy attitude about the situation. Buechler and Hardin detail their ghoulish creations for the gorier version of the picture.

• "A Cursed 'Curse'" (9:50, HD) is an interview with associate producer Malek Akkad and producer Paul Freeman, with the men charting the development of "The Curse of Michael Myers" and all the potential it once held before shooting began. A discussion of the Producer's Cut is presented, explaining the BTS battles the picture endured with Dimension Films and their hunt for a more graphic sequel.

• "Full Circle" (7:17, HD) is an interview with composer Alan Howarth.

• "Jamie's Story" (7:25, HD) is an interview with Danielle Harris, who discusses her efforts to become emancipated to work on "The Curse of Michael Myers," only to be presented with a lowball offer for her role, eventually pushed out of the production entirely.

• Deleted and Alternate Scenes (7:24, SD) are provided, adding more footage not seen in the two cuts of the feature.

• Behind-the-Scenes Footage (24:04, SD) was captured by screenwriter Daniel Farrands during the first week of shooting. It's a neat look at the production in motion, with the crew setting up shots and takes are observed. Farrands also finds some time to interview production participants.

• Archival Interviews (8:00, SD) spend time with actors Donald Pleasance, Paul Rudd, and Marianne Hagen, and director Joe Chappelle. Some B-roll is included as well.

• Tribute (2:58, HD) provides a brief celebration of Donald Pleasance from Mariah O'Brien, Billy Dickson, Alan Howarth, Brad Hardin, Bryan Ryman, and Malek Akkad.

• And a Teaser Trailer (1:02, SD) for "Halloween 6: The Origin of Michael Myers" is included.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Even with a clear divergence in tone for the two cuts of "The Curse of Michael Myers," the picture remains similar in execution, with Chappelle working to make the masked monster a threat again. On one side, there's the more John Carpenter-ish approach (without the style or mastery of mood), while the Theatrical Cut is a mess, but a bloody one hoping to reenforce the sheer power of the antagonist and his unstoppable ways. And yet, the two versions lack almost any suspense, dealing with drawn-out stalking sequences, and acting is lackluster (Paul Rudd, making his debut here, is making odd performance choices I don't think even he understands), even from series star Donald Pleasance, who passed away soon after filming was completed. Answers pertaining to the Cult of Thorn are also disappointing (the screenplay by Daniel Farrands doesn't aim high enough), failing to deliver on the bits of information provided at the end of "The Revenge of Michael Myers." It's certainly not the worst installment of the "Halloween" series, but "The Curse of Michael Myers" makes a critical mistake by not living up to expectations set by the producers, who, in 1989, seemed to have an idea where this was all going. In 1995, it's clear they didn't.