Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Where to get it: Anchor Bay
Its one year later after the events of Halloween 4. Michael survives the shootings and on October 31st he returns with a vengeance! Also after what we last seen in part 4 Jamie is locked away at a children’s hospital and is unable to speak at the start of the film all while being somewhat connected to her uncle. If it sounds a little “out there” trust me it is. This is one of the lesser liked films in the Halloween franchise and I will happily admit it has a lot of major flaws. But I do believe the Blu-ray here will please you even if the movie doesn’t.
The good about this film is you get Loomis and you get Jamie, you even get Rachael back for a while but this movie spends way too much time away from those key people in this movie. Without one of those three on the screen to work with Michael you end up in a movie that at times really seems to drag in parts, parts where dragging should be the last thing that is going on. With this being the case we are forced to spend a lot of time with the character of Tina (played by Wendy Foxworth). Tina may very well be the most annoying person in the world! Why on earth she out lives some other folks in this film and at times is the focus is beyond me. Out of all the things this movie does wrong I think the worse thing is not switching the places in this film of Tiny and Rachael.
Also added in for some lame tribute to The Last House on the Left (or so they say) is two goofy Cops who try way too hard to be funny. It sticks out badly in a Halloween film and it does this move no favors. Who thought that was a good idea clearly had no idea what they were doing. Let’s not forget this movie introduces us to The Man in the steel toe boots! Aka, the Man in Black! As he broods around, plays a major part in the ending, but turns out to be a major bust as a satisfying explanation on the guy is never really given. I think if you wanted to find the point that Halloween might have jumped the shark you’ll look right to this movie and the whole Man in Black part of the story. But it’s not all bad, you still have Jamie acting her little heart out and Loomis being the Loomis we know and love. Everyone else is hardly worth a mention but those two are gold. So what can I say guys? Next to Resurrection it’s my least favorite Halloween. It’s messy, it’s open ended with some elements, and it’s a major let down following the very good part 4. They don’t even bother tucking Michael’s mask in half the time.
(5.5/10)
Features
– Audio Commentary with Actors Don Shanks, Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Landman
– Audio Commentary with Director Dominique Othenin-Girard and Author Justin Beahm
– Halloween 5: On the set
– Halloween 5: Original Promo
– Theatrical trailer
Chucks website
