Halloween (1978) vs Halloween (2007)

[BluRayHiDef]

John Carpenter's Halloween is considered to be a classic, because it revolutionized horror films due to being a very well-made movie that features impressive direction and a notable musical score (the main tune of which has become as iconic as the film's antagonist himself). Despite being a small, independent project, costing only $300,000, to make, it earned a whopping $70,000,000 at the box office.

This success led to the production of numerous sequels, which could have been a good outcome but unfortunately has been a bad one, because the sequels are considered to have become progressively worse. Subsequently, in the mid early 2000s, director Rob Zombie, who's known for his satanic-themed horror flicks, was given the opportunity to write and direct a full-blown reboot of the franchise, which was released in 2007 and is apply titled Halloween.

In accord with Zombie’s typical films, his remake of John Carpenter's classic is loud, graphic, and visceral, thereby separating itself from its quiet, elegantly violent, and emotionally subtle source. The question is, 'Is this a bad thing?

Hollaween (1978) vs Halloween (2007)

[dallywhitty]

The original is better.

Fin.

[Hoke Moseley]

I wish this was a poll so I could witness a legendary beatdown in favor of Carpenter's original.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Is this a joke? I'm not even going to answer that question....

[Doctor Jack]

The remake is absolute garbage. It’s disgraceful to even compare it in any way, shape, or form to the original.

[master gandhi]

The remake didn’t impress me at all. Was it total trash? No, it can be seen as a guilty pleasure, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the original. Carpenter’s version reigns supreme in each and every way.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

I wish this was a poll so I could witness a legendary beatdown in favor of Carpenter's original.

Ask and you shall receive!

[BluRayHiDef]

I like them both but prefer the remake due to its more realistic depiction of Michael and its exploration of his childhood.

[Batmon77]

I appreciate the remake, but it lacks the underlying creepiness of the original.

Carpenter achieves more with less.

[P-Rock]

Hollaween? At first I thought this was some gangsta comedy take on Halloween... Wayans bros shit. But it's just a typo.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by BluRayHiDef

In accord with Zombie’s typical films, his remake of John Carpenter's classic is loud, graphic, and visceral, thereby separating itself from its quiet, elegantly violent, and emotionally subtle source. The question is,

'Is this a bad thing?

absolutely.

what made the original so good was that he did not delve into Michael he was just a psychopath (was he born with a screw loose, did someone unscrew them, who really cares) and the story could have taken place in any suburb. The problem with the remake is Zombie spends too much time in the past trying to explain why Michael went nuts and he used a crazy hic white trash family to do so (that works for a "road" film like 1001 corpses but ruins the idea that "it could happen where I live" which was critical to the fear the original film brought)

[hockeyshark91]

I've never been a fan of RZ's garish horror movies. I'm probably one of the very few on here that didn't even like The Devil's Rejects. This is no contest at all The original should never be brought up at the same time as the steaming pile that is Zombe's remake.
By the way, HUGE White Zombie fan! Should have kept it together a bit longer instead of going solo.

[steel_breeze]

The original HALLOWEEN is in my personal Top Five favorite flicks of all time. As a DP, I reference it surprisingly often in my meetings with directors; it's so well made. I also show examples of Cundey's spectacular HALLOWEEN lighting when I teach cinematography classes, both to demonstrate artistic use of contrasting color temperatures, and also "how to light darkness effectively". Cundey always puts something in the frame "on exposure" or even "over exposure" -- even when it's supposed to be very dark -- so you can more effectively fear the shadow areas that AREN'T lit. Darkness is best felt relative to light, in my experience... instead of making everything equally dark and murky. HALLOWEEN is a masterclass in "lighting the darkness".

I also use the original HALLOWEEN's slow-burn pacing as a perfect example of how modern Hollywood is cutting out too much of the "shoe leather" these days. Seriously, most of HALLOWEEN is some character walking from point A to point B... and it's awesomely tense and scary.

[Ray Jackson]

This is an actual question?

...well then let me give you my response.

[Show spoiler]

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BluRayHiDef

In accord with Zombie’s typical films, his remake of John Carpenter's classic is loud, graphic, and visceral, thereby separating itself from its quiet, elegantly violent, and emotionally subtle source. The question is, 'Is this a bad thing?

No, it's not a bad thing. Loud, graphic and visceral aren't to my tastes when it comes to horror (or really, most things) but that doesn't make them bad. Other people like that sort of thing and more power to them.

But looking at the thread title it seems like the question isn't 'is this a bad thing'. The question posed by the thread title is 'quiet, elegantly violent and emotionally subtle vs loud, graphic and visceral' and for my money that question is a no-brainer: quiet, elegantly violent and emotionally subtle wins any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Ten times if it's Sunday, October 31st.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jack

The remake is absolute garbage. It’s disgraceful to even compare it in any way, shape, or form to the original.

Ha.

[The Fallen Deity]

The remake is entertaining but it's not a patch on the original.

[Zillamon51]

I have mixed feelings on Halloween 2007. There are parts I like, and parts I dislike. (I prefer the Theatrical Cut, BTW.) And I really like the sequel. Point is, I'm not a hater.

But the original Halloween is an absolute, iconic, all-time classic. It popularized two subgenres, slasher movies and holiday horror. It spawned not only a long string of sequels, but over a decade's worth of imitators.

Even the best stuff in Halloween '07 doesn't rise to the level of Halloween 1978. The choice is clear.

[shinobipopcorn]

I like both of them, but I voted for the original because it is such an effective film without having to rely on the standard horror movie cliches. Zombie's movie goes a little overboard with the violence and the backstory. I didn't need to know Michael's mother works in a titty bar or dates a redneck jackass. I didn't need to know Michael mutilated small animals as a child.

Plus no one plays Loomis like Donald Pleasence. I like Malcom but he just isn't the same.

[blufellas]

Might be the easiest poll ever! 1978 all the way!