GORDON Tait

The first part, a great character study. This is just an indulgent mess that went way off the map and doesn't know what it's meant to be. Lady thingy should have been nowhere near this. Incoherent and messy.

Anything directed by Spielberg peaks my interest and it always has since childhood. Jaws terrified me, Close Encounters astounded me, Raiders enthralled me, I could go on. He has a way of turning a relatively unremarkable synopsis into a awe-inspiring heartfelt delight. If he were to direct a man reading the phonebook it'd be spectacular - except in this case. When I read that he was making a film about himself my heart sunk, I sighed, I shrugged and sat through this being reminded of all the interviews I watched where he recalls his childhood, it's all here. I felt myself ticking the boxes, yes, I remember he talked about this in that Jaws interview, oh and this part too. I felt I already knew what I was about to see which I hate. Don't get me wrong, this is a nice movie. The performances are above par, the sense of time and place sets the tone, but there's no high point, no great bits you revel in the next day in the office canteen. Perhaps as Spielberg creeps past seventy-five, it makes sense for him to reflect on a wonderful life lived by publishing the family scrapbook but is that what WE want? I have no interest in your upbringing any more than you have for mine - anyone's for that matter, and his included, sorry. I want to be bedazzled. For a man that could make any movie on any topic, I feel that Spielberg has forgotten that we're all still kids at heart and to this day (some of us in our forties) we yearn for aliens, ghosts, dangerous animals and hero's. What can I say? It's a Spielberg movie but it's not a SPIELBERG movie.

Oh dear, it seems I'm in the minority who loved this so forgive me if I'm going against the grain. I had expected very little having read some seriously poor reviews and watched Youtubers slaughter this movie, but it seemed to me that they were just hungry for more of the same. Not enough Myers they all said, but after the previous movie where he's never off screen, they still complained. Had David Gordon Green made a movie with Myers just walking around killing again, I guess they'd complain regardless. I couldn't help but draw comparisons to John Carpenter's 1983 film Christine with the troubled teen being drawn into darkness with an overall likable portrayal of that small town ambience. I couldn't help notice that much of this movie is set during the day that shed some light, gave us a clear view, allowed us time to breathe. Halloween Ends bravely decided to veer off in a slightly diffrent direction after the much maligned Halloween Kills - yes I agree, that was bad - with a new and interesting character now that Myers has disappeared. But very soon we're on a bumpy path as Alison falls in love with Corey who is descending into a homicidal frenzy, much to Laurie's chagrin. OK, I get it. Myers gets shelved for the majority of the movie but I was sold on this and what can I say, I loved the the journey. Once in a while we get a movie that doesn't focus on woke box-ticking, preachy political narratives, superheroes and the like. Here we have a small movie with likeable characters and offers enough Halloween nods for fans. Rohan Campbell carries the story with ease as the troubled teen, Curtis and crew are on point as usual. And there are some nice little gory surprises. Overall, my hunger to see Myers again was sated. He returns in the final reel for a satisfying END! Approach this with an open mind and you might get a pleasant surprise.