The original film of the series, "Halloween" (1978), is one of the greatest depiction of the horror genre in cinematic history. John Carpenter's artful and patient direction is what sets it apart from other cash-grabbing slashers of the 1970s and 1980s. It's about pace and visual style as much as it is beautiful simplistic storytelling.
Jamie Lee Curtis is a revelation as Laurie Strode, who is a female protagonist explored with an enormous amount of depth. Curtis puts forth one of the most notable breakout performances from any actor graced with the responsibility of playing a protagonist their first time out of the gate. Her co-star, Donald Pleasance's haunting, ineradicable presence as Dr. Samuel Loomis is also irreplaceable. If I would have been an Oscar voter in 1978, I would have voted for Curtis and Pleasance in the leading actor and actress races over Jane Fonda and Jon Voight in "Coming Home."
They're aided by perfectly crafted dialogue and a balance storylines. Some scenes are told through Laurie's eyes, others Dr. Loomis', and some Michael's; these three distinctive perspectives coalesce cogently into one streamline plot, which is astutely executed astutely through the screenplay and direction. Perhaps the greatest single aspect of "Halloween" is the film score, assured to strike fear into the most stoic of us all. "Halloween" is balanced, focused, scary, and communicates an idea into a fable.
Jamie Lee Curtis is a revelation as Laurie Strode, who is a female protagonist explored with an enormous amount of depth. Curtis puts forth one of the most notable breakout performances from any actor graced with the responsibility of playing a protagonist their first time out of the gate. Her co-star, Donald Pleasance's haunting, ineradicable presence as Dr. Samuel Loomis is also irreplaceable. If I would have been an Oscar voter in 1978, I would have voted for Curtis and Pleasance in the leading actor and actress races over Jane Fonda and Jon Voight in "Coming Home."
They're aided by perfectly crafted dialogue and a balance storylines. Some scenes are told through Laurie's eyes, others Dr. Loomis', and some Michael's; these three distinctive perspectives coalesce cogently into one streamline plot, which is astutely executed astutely through the screenplay and direction. Perhaps the greatest single aspect of "Halloween" is the film score, assured to strike fear into the most stoic of us all. "Halloween" is balanced, focused, scary, and communicates an idea into a fable.