IR Film Review: HALLOWEEN ENDS [Universal]

The context of a trilogy indicates a context of pay-off and, at least, of a bigger lore. "Halloween Kills" had the mentality of the crowd in check but it became more of a context of witch trials and a trilogy of generations fighting back against the mythology that has kept them subjugated and in fear in a way. The climactic element of the last film raised the stakes to the point where it needed to be. There was only one way it truly needed to go in: an all out war (within a Blumhouse confine) which would have been exciting but tricky. "Halloween Ends" doesn't quite do that or deliver on that promise. It goes a different way which is its prerogative but sort of a let down. It instead takes on an exterior story and tries to make its parallel form work in terms of its protagonist who is different than what the build up necessitated (but relevant in terms of metaphor). The reason for slumber or the intention of Myers is never quite explained.

Bringing in a new character in Corey (played by Rohan Campbell of "The Hardy Boys") is an interesting balancing act to him with the use of Alyyson (Andi Matichak), the granddaughter of Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) as a trigger point. The idea of escape and love is a effective diatribe in contrasting by the path. It builds but never feels earned. It hits its intended target at some point but still misses the mark. The greater element of Michael Myers and what has become as the town recovers is almost surface faced despite an almost ceremonial epilogue that would seem to infer a greater hurt which is not felt in the confines of the movie. There are many times that the story could turn and become edgy again, but the film, at times, because of bad dialogue and certain scenes, becomes kind of schmaltzy in a way. There is no real dread.

Only in one moment does it turn the focus on its head (when a suicide is seemingly about to take place) but it doesn't keep up. As a result there is a lack of dread. This might have to do with Campbell in a way. He plays the wounded Corey and then the transformation but the transition and the reasoning just doesn't work. He has the emotive ability but there is something off in the range. Allyson's reaction and interaction does buoy the romance and that is what keeps it on track for a bit. But with the way the trilogy was working, there was hope for something more mythical but, despite an energetic ending, "Halloween Ends" does drop the ball. C+

By Tim Wassberg