Whether or not this is actually the end of the Halloween franchise remains to be seen. However, Halloween Ends promises to be the conclusion of director David Gordon Green’s trilogy. Green’s take on the Halloween mythos has had a rather interesting, and polarizing, impact on the fans who love seeing Michael Myers come back to life once again to resume killing people in the town of Haddonfield. As for my opinion, I very much enjoyed and appreciated Green’s first installment, which serves as a direct sequel to the original John Carpenter Halloween. As for the sequel, I actually like what it had to offer, and relished in the ambitions of what the filmmaker hoped to accomplish. At the same time, I will also acknowledge that Green’s heavy-handed approach to the sequel did not fare as well as his reintroduction to the saga.
So, for those fans who simply want a straightforward slasher flick, Halloween Ends is sure to be a disappointment. And that’s understandable. However, the reason why I actually like Halloween Kills and this new installment even more is that David Gordon Green wants to do something dynamically different and much more thoughtful with the material. That said, I really like this very different conclusion to Green’s Halloween trilogy in that he took the story in a direction that, as far as I can remember from previous movies, has never been attempted previously.
One year after the events of the previous two movies, one particular Halloween night proves to be a very different nightmare for babysitter Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell). After a freak accident causes a most unfortunate tragedy, the people of Haddonfield have mistakenly labeled Corey as a murderer. While this misconception continues to exist, the evidence surrounding the accident has proven him innocent. Since then, Corey has struggled to go on with his life and seek happiness and peace.
After he meets Allyson Nelson (Andi Matichak) at her job at a Haddonfield clinic, he becomes smitten with her, and the feeling is reciprocated. Since the events of the previous movies, Allyson and her grandmother Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) have managed to make a peaceful life for themselves while still coping with the trauma of their experiences with Michael. As Halloween approaches, the impact of Michael’s carnage continues to plague Haddonfield, as a lot of the people continue to live in fear and allow this fear to infect their better judgment.
I was very pleasantly surprised with Halloween Ends. Green and his writers have come up with a mostly intelligent and exciting way to conclude this trilogy. I will say that the conclusion doesn’t completely stick the landing, but the setup, and follow through for most of the film works so well. And I do hope my synopsis of the movie doesn’t completely turn people away. I know I don’t mention that Michael Myers is not an actual threat in the movie, but let me say, he still is. However, his threat and impact on Haddonfield is portrayed to a certain point of realism that I could totally see some of these events actually happening in America.
I love that David Gordon Green and his writers have decided to do something very different from so many of the other movies in this often redundant franchise. Now, I know that might sound silly given that the character of Michael Myers often does the same thing over and over again, but that aspect has to be accepted to a certain point. At least the filmmakers of this trilogy have attempted something dynamic, more relevant, and compelling on a psychological level. Not all of it has worked exceptionally, but I do respect the purpose and goals of all of it.