‘Halloween Ends’ an intriguing, mysterious conclusion

In 1978, film audiences were introduced to “final girl” Laurie Strode and the embodiment of evil Michael Myers (a.k.a. The Shape). After numerous sequels and a remake, new filmmakers breathed new life into this once dormant franchise in 2018s ‘Halloween,’ where they ignored all the sequels in a creative fashion and made it a direct sequel to the original. After last year’s Halloween Kills’ took the original story to a whole new level, die-hard fans were eager to see how the final entry of the story concludes. Now, you can finally see what happens with ‘Halloween Ends.’ Four years after her last encounter with masked killer Michael Myers, Laurie Strode is living with her granddaughter and trying to finish her memoir. Myers hasn’t been seen since, and Laurie finally decides to liberate herself from rage and fear and embrace life. However, when a young man stands accused of murdering a boy that he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that forces Laurie to confront the evil she can’t control. The concluding chapter of the Myers/Strode story is filled with some good scares and the filmmakers did make some bold choices with the story that stuck the landing for the most part. ‘Halloween Ends’ is the most character-driven of all the installments. The sequel shows how Laurie and Allyson are coping a few years after the brutal events of Halloween night 2018. Audiences are introduced to a brand new character who ends up being one of the main focuses of the movie. It’s rare for a third movie in a trilogy to focus on a new character, but the filmmakers pulled it off.

The direction they went for ‘Ends’ is slightly different. There is a good amount of drama and emotion, especially in the opening moments of the movie. In fact, the opening sequence is one of the best ways to open a ‘Halloween’ movie and can be traumatizing. But, don’t worry, there are still some interesting slasher elements in this sequel. ‘Ends’ isn’t your typical slasher movie and once you have seen the movie (and also have seen the other movies), you can see that as well. Jamie Lee Curtis returns for the final time as Laurie Strode, who’s trying to get through the Halloween holiday. Curtis does an awesome job (as always) and even has a few moments that will make you chuckle a little. The filmmakers also did a great job showing how the last of the Strode girls have been dealing with the 2018 aftermath and how they’re holding up today. And, of course, the music in the movie is just amazing. The soundtrack that John Carpenter and his sons put together is incredible and his ‘Halloween’ music will always be iconic. Overall, despite the initial mixed reactions for this entry, ‘Halloween Ends’ is a fitting and unique way to end the original Strode/Myers story. It does deliver a good amount of mystery throughout and the ending is likely going to be one of the most memorable endings of a ‘Halloween’ movie. So, come on down to the Dietrich and have yourself a few scares while you watch ‘Halloween Ends.’ The cast: Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode; Andi Matichak as Allyson; Rohan Campbell as Corey; Will Patton as Frank; Jesse C. Boyd as Officer Mulaney; Michael Barbien as Terry; Destiny Mone as Stacey; Joey Harris as Margo; Marteen as Billy; Joanne Baron as Joan; Rick Moose as Ronald; Michael O’Leary as Dr. Mathis; Keraun Harris as Willy the Kid; Candice Ross as Mrs. Allen; and Jack William Marshall as Mr. Allen. ‘Halloween Ends’ is written by David Gordon Green. Danny McBride, Paul Brad Logan and Chris Bernier and also directed by Green (the new Halloween trilogy; next year’s The Exorcist reboot). ‘Halloween Ends’ is rated R for bloody horror violence and gore, language throughout and some sexual references and has a running time of 111 minutes. If you have seen the latest ‘Halloween’ sequel and enjoy the others, let me know what you thought of the movie on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews Facebook page and see what upcoming reviews I will be working on in future editions.

https://youtu.be/s0vtbxLa-N8