Directed by: Dwight H. Little

Writing credits: Danny Lipsius, Larry Rattner

Synopsis: Ten years ago on October 31st, Michael Myers returned to Haddonfield to kill Laurie Strode. He was ultimately stopped by Dr. Loomis and has been in a coma ever since. But when he is being transfered from Richmond Mental Institute to Smith's Grove he wakes up when he hears he has a niece in Haddonfield. After killing the transfer crew he escapes and makes his way to Haddonfield. Dr. Loomis learns Michael is awake and follows him to Haddonfield. Meanwhile in Haddonfield, the niece Jamie Lloyd, who was adopted by the Carruthers family, keeps on having nightmares about the Boogieman. On Halloween night, Jamie goes out trick and treating, little knowing that Michael is out there, looking for her. On the same day, Dr. Loomis arrives in Haddonfield to ask the local police for help. With the help of Sheriff Meeker, Dr. Loomis starts to search the town for Michael and to find Jamie. But is there any hope of stopping Michael this time?

My Review: This was one of the first ever horror movies that I ever saw (around three years ago), and even just the cover of the video box freaked me out with the mask of Michael Myers. I was going through a phase of watching horror films in the dark hours before midnight, and to say that this movie scared me big time would be an under-statement. Of course, since then I have become something of a Horror Buff (this could - subconsciously - be one of the movies that actually created interest in the genre for me), and rewatches of the film don't effect me in the same way, but it's fun to reminisce and remember how completely creeped out I was the night I crawled into bed and popped this classic horror into the machine.

One of the reasons that this movie effected me the way it did when I watched it was Danielle Harris, who I had only ever seen in TV guest spots, and hardly knew anything about then. Her heart felt and completely mesmerising portrayal of Jamie Lloyd worked a charm, and at the time she was most probably the best child actress to have graced our screens (both silver and home). The audience immediately relates and sympathises for Jamie and her situation, and Danielle Harris showed that her range of emotions goes way beyond that of most adult actors, let alone children. Teamed up with the equally-beautiful Ellie Cornell, they made a great on-screen duo, and the chemistry between them seemed genuine.

Chock-full of jumps and scares, this is a worthy sequel to its 1979 predecessor. The movie has a great sense of style and originality, and the atmosphere in the halloween night scenes is overpowering and unnerving. Danielle is flawless in her role, as are the other cast memebrs (including a be-scarred and raving Donald Pleasence!) At to this an ending that chills the blood, and you've got a great night's entertainment. (4/5)