Halloween 2: Why Rob Zombie’s Director’s Cut Is The Best Version – Screen Rant

Rob Zombies Halloween sequel goes in an unexpected direction, but the films directors cut creates a different and better narrative.

Halloween 2 is an extremely divisive film for fans of the horror genre, but what causes the sequel to generate even more debate is the existence of Rob Zombies considerably different directors cutthe best version of the film.

Rob Zombies reboot of John Carpenters 1978Halloweenand its sequel are acquired tastes, and were controversial given how beloved the original is, but it deserves credit for forging its own path and attempting to go in a new direction with the slasher series, even if it didnt connect with all audiences. Zombie has since continued to make gritty horror films, but his tenure with the Halloween franchise is over.

Related: Halloween 2: Rob Zombie's Biggest Mistake Was A Talking Michael Myers

Halloween 2 removes itself from the baggage of the original franchise, and goes further into fresh territory that continues to have Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Michael Myers on a murderous collision course. Halloween 2in many waysis a messy end to Zombies story, but the directors cut that was released does the sequel a lot of favors.

Rob Zombies directors cut of Halloween 2 is fourteen minutes longer than the theatrical version. Most of the edits revolve around its representation of Laurie Strode, which producers were initially worried was too off-putting. Many of the characters more aggressive and tortured scenes were cut to improve Lauries demeanor, but it also results in her character feeling less defined as a result. The directors cut does a better job to assert Laurie as the films true protagonist. This greatly improves the films story, since it better illustrates Lauries slipping mental state. The directors cut removes Lauries stability and presents a more frightening, fragile representation of a survivor and how they constantly deal with fear on a daily basis.

These edits also help Halloween 2 work as a stronger companion to how Zombie's previous Halloween effort is a character piece on Michael. This is perhaps best represented by several more therapy scenes that take place with Laurie that not only show her shifting more in Michael's direction, but also emphasizes the psychic bond that they share. The theatrical cut muddles this idea, and takes away this important point of view. The directors cut also has Laurie act more negatively towards her friend, Annie (Danielle Harris), as she slowly poisons this small source of positivity in her life. These additions and re-contextualized scenes improve the films pacing and themes, but theyre not without their faults. The fact that Michael Myers actually speaks in the directors cutlet alone to just say Die!is regrettable.

The other major deviation between the theatrical cut and the directors cut version is that while the ending utilize similar footage of Laurie in the hospital, the directors cut actually features her death, alongside Michael and Loomis. This final scene is a haunting vision of her tragic life finally being able to find peace after such a painful existence. The theatrical cut, while it keeps Laurie alive, implies that her survival involves her turning into the next Michael Myers. Its an ending thats dark for very different reasons. Both versions have their advantages, but the directors cut of Halloween 2 tells more of the original tragic story of Laurie Strodes decline that fascinated Zombie about the sequel in the first place.

Next: Rob Zombies Halloween 2 Multiple Endings Explained

Zack Snyder's 300 Finally Comes to 4K UHD This October

Daniel Kurland is a freelance writer, comedian, and critic, who lives in the cultural mosaic that is Brooklyn, New York. Daniels work can be read on ScreenRant, Splitsider, Bloody Disgusting, Den of Geek, and across the Internet. He recently completed work on a noir anthology graphic novel titled, "Sylvia Plaths The Bell Noir: A Rag of Bizarre Noir and Hard Boiled Tales" and hes currently toiling away on his first novel.Daniel knows that "Psycho II" is better than the original, that the finale of "How I Met Your Mother" doesnt deserve the hate that it receives, and that Garth Ennis run of "Animal Man" may be the best superhero story of all time. Hes a fan of white grape juice and appreciates a good Fuji apple.The owls are not what they seem.

Read the original:
Halloween 2: Why Rob Zombie's Director's Cut Is The Best Version - Screen Rant

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero