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Halloween II
Universal Pictures

Halloween II reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 32 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
6.7 out of 10
based on 6 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 18 votes
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MPAA RATING: R

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Tony Moran, Lance Guest, and Nancy Stephens

Picking up precisely where its predecessor left off, Halloween II follows the same ill-fated characters as they encounter the knife-wielding maniac they left for dead in the first Halloween. It seems the inhuman Michael Myers is still very much alive and out for more revenge as he stalks the deserted halls of the hospital where his sister lays waiting. As he gets closer and closer to his terrified target, Dr. Loomis discovers the chilling mystery behind the crazed psychopath's savage actions. (Universal)


GENRE(S): Horror  |  Suspense/Thriller  
WRITTEN BY: John Carpenter
Debra Hill
 
DIRECTED BY: Rick Rosenthal  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: October 30, 1981 
Video: August 28, 2001 
Theatrical: October 30, 1981 
RUNNING TIME: 92 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: USA 

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott
When it's good, it's because it's imitating its predecessor (but it suffers from tired spilled blood) and when it's bad, it's because it's imitating its own imitators.
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50
ReelViews James Berardinelli
With Halloween II, it was all about graphic, grisly murders and a high body count - lessons learned at the box office. And that disparity, more than anything else, illustrates why "Halloween" is a classic and its first sequel is a sloppy afterthought.
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40
Chicago Reader Dave Kehr
The visual style--the orange-and-blue color scheme, the elegant 'Scope compositions, the graceful tracking shots, and the shrewd use of shallow focus--has been reproduced almost perfectly from John Carpenter's original, yet the wit and intelligence are gone.
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30
Austin Chronicle Mike Emery
A bad sequel to a good movie...The main concentration is on gross-out effects and lame chase scenes.
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30
TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)
A totally unnecessary and extremely poor sequel to the original "Halloween". Although Dean Cundey's photography goes a long way toward recapturing the look of the first film, director Rick Rosenthal is no Carpenter, and the emphasis here is on graphic blood and gore rather than the skillful manipulation of the audience.
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10
Variety Staff (Not Credited)
There are incredibly almost never any really terrific scares in 92 minutes - just multiple shots of violence and gore that are more gruesome than anything else.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 6.7 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Scott N gave it an8:
The critics are dead wrong on this one to have given it 32/100.. While this film doesn't match the original (nothing can), it is still an effective sequel worthy of watching multiple times. With a strong start detailing the aftermath and police investigation/manhunt for the at-large Michael Myers, the movie loses some steam in the middle part when people start to disappear and others find themselves searching the hospital for each other, and the body count starts to mount in methodical fashion. A very strong ending saves this flick from a little lower rating IMO. Recommended.

bob h gave it a6:
Decent sequel that is not as bad as everyone says it is. The music is atmospheric and creepy and Donald Pleasence gives another good (but campy) performance as Dr. Loomis.

bob h gave it a6:
I thought this movie was not as bad as everyone says it is. Of course it isn't as good as the original because the original is one of the greatest horror movies out there. This acting is ok but the music is foreboding and creepy. It's campy fun.

Frank T gave it a2:
So much promise... such bad execution. Less thrills and more gore does not equal a good movie. Want a good Halloween sequel? Go get Halloween 4, H2O and the directors cut of 6.

Danny V. gave it a10:
Halloween II is an excellent horror film that stands aside from the original Halloween. However, Halloween II really never received the credit it was due. This is partly because most horror movies attract a young immature audience, and secondly related to the fact that John Carpenter did not direct and reincarnate Halloween. Aside from this, what Halloween II does show us is strong -continuity- from the original with a deeper storyline. This is one of the few sequels overall that nicely stands out on its own.

James B. gave it a0:
I think they could did much better they did excellent in part 1 why not this one? And can someone give me a little news on Halloween 9.Thanks.

Ribop R. gave it a0:
I didn't like it too much!!! But ha they say they might have a part 9 hopefully we'll enjoy it!!

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