I just reviewed the original Halloween and talked about what an iconic and important horror/slasher movie it was. John Carpenter and Debra Hill once again wrote the movie, but John Carpenter decided against directing this and instead, Rick Rosenthal was in the director’s chair.
How to Download Halloween II (1981)
Halloween II was released on October 30, 1981. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
The Directorial Shift and Its Impact
Despite the change in director, Rosenthal is able to really mimic Carpenter’s style. So much so that I would bet a lot of people would have no idea Carpenter himself did not direct the movie unless they were told so beforehand. He does as close to a “John Carpenter” job as he could possibly have done and I do wonder what if anything different John Carpenter would have done.
A Seamless Continuation of the First Movie
The only way to watch Halloween II is right after you have finished watching the first movie. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another movie that I saw back in my younger days where the sequel happens right after the last movie. We are not talking three weeks later or even the next night, Halloween II picks up literally right after Michael has survived his beating at the hands of Laurie Strode and Dr. Loomis.
Michael Myers and the Hospital Horror
Of course, Loomis is freaking out that Michael has escaped and is desperate to catch him before he spills more blood. Laurie on the other hand is being taken to a hospital, but Michael learns where Laurie is and his rampage leads him to the hospital so that he can finish her off.
Intensity, Bloodshed, and a Desperate Dr. Loomis
There is some stuff in Halloween II that I really like. Michael was certainly evil in the first movie, but the graphic kill count is greatly increased here and I love that! I also love most of the stuff that happens in the hospital with Michael stalking Laurie and trying to end her once and for all.
I also think that it is cool how we see a real desperate side to Dr. Loomis. Loomis is so desperate to stop Michael that he is willing to do anything to make it happen and let me tell you, he gets pretty desperate. Once again Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance are amazing in these roles.
Building the Michael Myers Mythos
With Halloween II we also get a lot more backstory of Laurie and Michael, it is this movie where we find out that they are brother and sister and also get a hint that Michael has links to some kind of evil Satanic cult. The lore building here of Michael Myers is pretty awesome and I bet at the time, finding this kind of stuff out had to be mind-blowing! I know that I would have freaked out learning about Michael and Laurie being related. However, as I saw these movies later, I had already been told that Laurie was Michael’s sister so I never got to experience this huge twist organically.
Final Thoughts on Halloween II
I think that Halloween II is a solid sequel. It ups the kill count, adds more buckets of blood, and gives us more lore to dive into. However, despite being arguably a “bigger” movie, it is just lacking something that the first movie had. There is more going on here, it builds upon what was done in the first movie very well, but I have always preferred the first Halloween to this. Still, as I always watch them back to back or at least close together, they kind of blend together for me and I am sure many others are the same way.
Halloween II (1981) Download Options
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the terror, search for Halloween II download options now. From its thrilling continuation to its shocking twists, this horror classic remains a must-watch for fans of the genre. Don’t miss out—start streaming or downloading Halloween II today.
