Hallowen

Halloween is an independent slasher horror film which is directed by John Carpenter in 1978, which budgets of $325,000 and grossed $47million at the box office in the US and $70million worldwide.  This film contains little striking violence and gore, over taking The Taxes Chainsaw Massacre. This film however explores the themes and leaves an impact on the audience with its undemanding music and the choice of good camera angles.

The setting is in heart of Midwestern town of Haddonfield. On Halloween night, a six year old named Michael Myers murders his older sister by stabbing her with a kitchen knife.  He is kept in custody in a psychiatric hospital that he escapes fifteen years later returning to his old abandoned home. He is later shown to be following three teenagers’ girls in town of Haddonfield. As his psychiatric Dr. Sam Loomis suspects his intention and therefore follows him to his house to prevent him for killings. 

low-key lightening, leaves a shadow on the wall of the killer

Like The Taxes Chainsaw Massacre and Carrie, there was an intentional effort to create suspense with minimum revealing of violence. The film was very high-ranking as it demonstrates some recognisable convention of Slasher. The story line portrayed is very much repetitive because the soundtrack alerts the audience that a killing is coming its way which didn’t give of ‘jumping scare’. Also the film reveals the villain at the beginning of the film. On the other hand, that many viewers may find this a good build up of tension as a hint of his character is on show and there is more to explore throughout the film.

Some critics suggest that the film encourages audience to feel sympathy for the villain as Michael is ‘unwell’ which leads many viewer to feel gloomy. Many of Michael victims being sexually immoral demonstrate the youth and teenagers immorality in 1870 of America, hence the reason for the survival of Laurie who is portrayed as naive and pure.

This scene shows Michael who has pinned Bob to a door with a knife, the look on his face can reflect the pleasure he is getting by murdering a soul. The lightening is dark and less simple that creates its atmosphere rather then vivid blood.

I personally thought the film could have left more suspense and scary movement for the audience in order to feel they are watching a horror film. However, the film does consist the use of slasher convention. In general I think that having a masked villain made it more unpredictable at hiding the true identity of Michael and the reaction he offered.  This gives the audience a chance to explore his motive through his actions rather then his expression which I believe is fundamental. The reason why the film really appealed to me was for the moody musical score, especially the main theme, a piano melody which is very simple and subtle.