HALLOWEEN II (1981)

A lot happened in the horror movie industry after the original HALLOWEEN exploded onto screens in October, 1978 and when Part 2 finally came out in October, 1981: PHANTASM, ALIEN, THE SHINING, ZOMBIE, PROM NIGHT, TERROR TRAIN...just to name a few, but, I think, most importantly it was FRIDAY THE 13TH and FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2!!!  That's right, the people behind the F13 franchise managed to pop out two films in between the time it took the HALLOWEEN people to churn out the first sequel.  (Plus, when you look at the time period, there wasn't a lot of sequels around.)  The wait was worth it though, cause HALLOWEEN II is a lot of fun. 

Picking up exactly where the original lets off, Donald Pleasence shoots Michael and he falls off the balcony. Donald runs outside...and the asshole ain't there! The paramedics come and take Jamie to the hospital, so what does Michael do? He takes an Uber to the hospital and starts killing the fuck out of everybody! It's awesome.

Early 80's slasher were the best and although HALLOWEEN II only has one brief topless scene and Michael's not really that intimidating looking, it's still a solid movie with a jackrabbit pace and a steady body count. My favorite kill was the one where Michael stabs the nurse in the upper back and literally picks her up with the knife. That's hardcore.

Respectable body count, Donald Pleasence freaking out, people making dumb decisions non-stop, hammer to the skull, fire, blood, explosions, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD on TV, sexy nurses with hot 80's hair, pre-THE LAST STARFIGHTER Lance Guest, brief appearance by Lucille Benson, no cell phones, cool HALLOWEEN theme, Jamie Lee Curtis wearing a wig, annoying nurse clogs that irritated me every time I saw them, vintage cars, syringe to the temple, some guy getting "trick or treated to death".

HALLOWEEN II is required viewing for horror fans.

Part 1 - Halloween (1978)
Part 3 - Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Part 4 - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Part 5 - Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Part 6 - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
Part 7 - Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Part 8 - Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Remake 1 - Halloween (2007)
Remake sequel - Halloween II (2009)
Sequel to Original - Halloween (2018)
Direct Sequel 2 - Halloween Kills (2021)
Direct Sequel 3 - Halloween Ends (2022)