The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 10, 2022

The saga of Michael Myers continues on 4K, with Shout Factory returning to the series, issuing new UHDs of “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers,” “Halloween H20,” and “Halloween: Resurrection,” adding to their previous “Halloween” UHD set, released in 2021.

Click here for a review of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers

Click here for a review of Halloween H20

Click here for a review of Halloween: Resurrection

The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers

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 H20

• 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: Resurrection

• 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.

The Halloween 4K Collection 1995-2002 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The three movies collected here represent franchise fatigue and confusion, highlighting a strange creative battle to do something, anything, with Michael Myers. A/V is generally solid on the UHDs, and extras are plentiful, giving the faithful a rich education on the making of these wildly different endeavors.