MovieChat Forums > Halloween II (1981) Discussion > Scariest of the series

Scariest of the series

posted 5 years ago by Sidha108 (2676)
7 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else think Halloween II is the scariest film in the franchise?
- The synthesizer music sounds more ominous
- the hospital setting is creepy (I find hospitals to be scary in real life)
- the film takes place entirely at night
- the constant "on-edge" feeling throughout the entire film
- hazy look of the cinematography creates a dream/nightmare-like atmosphere
- exploring the mysteries of Michael Myers and Samhein add a mystical eeriness to the film
- shots of Michael subtly lurking in the background is off-putting
- Never knowing which deleted scenes will be added into the film watching it on TV makes it a surprise every time

[–] prolelol (1428) 5 years ago

The original was scary too. I find the atmosphere of both movies the same, but just different and worse writing and direction for Halloween II. I agree the hospital setting was creepy, but it is possible that the hospital is too quite, huh? I think 2018 film was scarier imo.

[–] TommyJarvis82 (2566) 4 years ago

The original is a better movie, but but I do find this one slightly scarier.

[–] Sidha108 (2676) 4 years ago

My sentiments exactly! The first one is great as an innovative and landmark film within the horror genre and the history of cinema as a whole, but I get slightly more horrified feeling from the 2nd one.

[–] MinorityRules15 (963) 4 years ago

I think most people agree that Michael in the 2nd one looks more terrifying than the original. I think this is because of the way his mask looks in the 2nd one. Apparently, the mask was under one of the producer's beds in their apartment for a few years after filming the first one and they smoked and it got discolored and worn out from being in a smoky room for a few years. That unintentionally gave Myers a more creepy vibe.

But, also the actor who played Myers was different, too. He moved differently and seemed more creepy. The atmosphere also seemed more dreadful and spooky. It scared me when I was a kid, but obviously not anymore. It's funny how movies work like that. Jason from Friday the 13th used to scare me when I was a kid, too. But now when I watch the movies, I laugh at some of his mannerisms when he gets hit. I never laughed at him when I was a kid.

[–] Sidha108 (2676) 4 years ago

I also like how II actually feels like it takes place on Halloween night with more trick-r-treaters, decorations, costumes, etc. and dives into the mythology of the holiday with Samhain and hinting at a deeper mystery surrounding Michael’s curse. All these elements add to the “Halloween” of the title.

[–] RickGee (265) 4 years ago

I liked this one but the original is tops for me - the novelty, more fun and interesting characters, violence that was terrifying but not gratuitous (almost Hitchcockian), and one of the most memorable exchanges in horror moviedom:

"Was that the bogeyman?"
"As a matter of fact, it was."

[–] [deleted] a year ago

Yeah I'd say so.