Can anyone with memories from 87-88


.....inform me of how big of news this was to the horror genre fans? Obviously I know there was no internet back then so I assuming the first tidbit of news Michael Myers was actually returning for the first time in 7 years came from Fangoria.

I'm sure after H3 people wanted Michael back and there were prob rumors floating around as to whether it would ever happen, so just curious how people reacted to the official news.

And also if JLC would be back and Donald Pleasence, etc. Just wish I had been old enough back then.

Thanks

reply

Can only speak for myself, but I was 15 when 4 came out and watched the first 3 on TV then unedited on VHS. I was glad to see it. Only watched it once, though. Not sure how I got into a rated R film at 15, but hey. First Halloween I saw in theaters. Given that it was the only Halloween film to be #1 at the box office for it's first 2 weeks in row, I'd say it was well received. Even the original took longer for people to come around to. I got most of the magazine and other releases, the book, soundtrack, etc. after the fact years later.

"He came home." - Dr. Sam Loomis from the original HalloweeN

reply

I was a freshman in college when "H4" came out and though it wasn't a box office blockbuster by any means, it was pretty big news amongst the teenage horror crowd (i.e. the film's target audience). I know my friends and I were pretty damn excited when the trailers first started airing on TV. Most of us weren't old enough to have seen any of the previous "Halloween" films in a theater and had only seen them on TV/video so it was a big deal for us to see Michael Myers on the big screen for the first time.

I've seen "H4" a number of times over the years and though it'll never be considered a great movie, it's a fun watch that has some cool memories attached to it.

reply

From my perspective it was a moderate hit and was moderately received by my group of friends and fellow horror flick enthusiasts at the time

I'll sort of expand on what Metal said and that we were all geeked to see Michael Myers - there def was anticipation about Michael being(although most of us enjoyed HIII for what it was and loved the anthology idea) back on the big screen - however, the main question was, with us anyways was - "He got shot in the face and was set on fire/explosion - is this going to turn into a silly post-Final Chapter (F13) like franchise now?"

Other questions raised were - "But what about Laurie Strode?" and "Will he be that big hulking undead-Jason like character now that is almost invincible?"

The first half was way better for our group than the second half. The opening was different but def creepy - the transfer scene was great and of course seeing Loomis again for the first time in a while was great too.

The group of teenagers were forgettable and the second half just seemed like a cop out - so as I said before - we just felt like it was solid, not great - then of course news for part 5 came out not too long afterwards and we all just kind of rolled our eyes. I'd say 4 had the last resemblence of that Halloween feel and then we got older and just didn't quite care as much until H20 - that was ok, but then yea pretty much dead to us.

HI-HIV forever I say.

It's a full moon . . .
Howl trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHm8t9fCxeY

reply

I was a freshman in college and didn't know they had made another until I saw the trailer on tv. Couldn't wait tos ee it and when I did the theater was PACKED.

reply

[deleted]

[deleted]

Well, I was 12 at the time, my whole family were big Halloween fans and we all loved it. Was really awesome with the scene where Loomis is walking down the hall...we were like YES! Obviously it made no logical sense he would live through that explosion, but who cared, he was as much a part of the film as Michael.

I like part 3 as it's own thing, I personally find it silly that people hate 3 just because "it didn't have Michael". As far as how popular the film was, it had to have made a good profit since they quickly greenlit a sequel for the very next year.

reply

I was fortunate that my parents let me watch horror movies when I was young and I had watched Halloween 2 in the summer of 1986 (but please don't let your children watch H2, ever). I was only 9 when I first saw the commercial for Halloween 4. I was so pumped! I was thinking to myself, this is the same guy who got shot in both eyes and burned to smithereens...and he is back!!!

I saved a large advertisement from the local newspaper, but lost it over the years.

reply

I remember it a little. Here's what I remember. Freddy had become huge and was the main monster of the slasher movies of the 80's. It initially started to be Jason, but Freddy took over. Michael was sort of forgotten about until this movie. So when I saw that they were returning with Michael Myers, I remember thinking, "Boy they're really returning late in the game." Still it was exciting that they were finally bringing him back.

I gotta go feed that thing in Room 33.

reply

I know I'm a little late with the reply, but I happen to be watching it right now. I was a senior in High School when this came out, and I know that my friends and I were excited to see Michael coming back. I even drug my terrified girlfriend to see it with us. haha

I hated Season of the Witch when it first came out, (I have since changed my opinion) seeing that mask for the first time was awesome! I know the mask had been changed and people were pissed off about that. I was just happy to see Mikey back up to his old tricks.

I think the movie industry actually suffers with how accessible trivia and spoilers are to find now before the initial release of new movies. As we speak, I am avoiding all things Star Wars. I like the mystery of seeing a movie and forming my own opinion.

Sorry for the rambling response, it's 2 in the morning here.

Rex

When movie hell is full, re-makes shall walk the earth.

reply

Hey man, thanks for your reply. It's never too late, I just received another response just a few days ago and welcome them. I too am keeping away from everything Star Wars. I am impressed with how Disney and JJ have kept things under wraps so far.

reply

I did watch the new trailer for Episode VII after my friends assured me that no plot points were given away. I have to say, it gave me goosebumps!

Well, back to Halloween 4: I think this storyline went downhill after this one. 5 was ok, but 6 was, and still is, my least favorite installment in the whole series, Resurrection and Zombiween I & II included.

Rex

When movie hell is full, re-makes shall walk the earth.

reply

Did u see the directors cut of part 6? That might change ur mind.

reply

[deleted]

It was real big here around philly, I remember being in 10th grade. everyone talking about it. all the hype on tv with the commericals. and it was the first time we had a Halloween adventure shop that actually sold the Michael myers full head mask, and I got it.. it was like 50$ and that was a lot of money back then. but I was working some part time job.. yes, it was a big hit around here. and did very well at the box office..

reply

Didn't see it until I was a teenager in the 90s during its shelf filler days at the rental store. Yep, I remember we'd pop in and rent it occasionally. Those were the days. As far as it's run in the 80s, I was around Jamie's age, so it wasn't until I was a teenager that I became acquainted with it. Couldn't tell you how many times I've seen it since.

•°•°
http://brianscarecrow.blogspot.com/

reply