After the success of Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, the bodies were still warm when plans for Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers began to come together. There was this idea that they had to strike while the iron was hot but as we all have learned, when you rush a project, it doesn’t 100% come together. While the fourth film reinvigorated the franchise and gave it some life, Halloween 5 represents a major step back and is a prime example of too many cooks being in the kitchen. You have the director’s vision, the producers’ vision, and then this accelerated pace to make sure the film came out on time. Halloween 5 arrived in theaters one week short of a year from the release of Halloween 4 and it’s clear that the project needed a lot more time and care.
The most frustrating thing about Halloween 5 is that it was really set up to win with the iconic ending of Halloween 4. Had they gone in the direction that film was setting up, Halloween 5 could’ve at least tapped into some interesting ideas. Director Dwight H. Little, who helmed part 4, stated at the “Halloween: 40 Years of Terror” convention that if he had returned for part 5, it would have most likely continued off of how his film ended. Little wanted to return but he took on another project and the producers were clear that they want to crank this one out quickly so he had to pass. While watching Halloween 5, one of the things that crosses your mind is what could have been had it gone in the most likely direction.
The story picks up a year after the events of Halloween 4, as Michael Myers (this time played by Don Shanks) returns to Haddonfield with the intention of murdering his last surviving heir. Said heir, Myers’ niece, Jamie (Danielle Harris), has gone mute after the events from a year ago and seems to have some kind of a telepathic bond with the psychopath, a development that the increasingly frantic Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) decides to use to his advantage – no matter what the consequences may be for little Jamie.
Director Dominique Othenin-Girard – who co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Jacobs and Shem Bitterman – infuses the proceedings with a run-of-the-mill slasher vibe, complete with oversexed teenagers and moronic authority figures (the sooner we forget about the cops with the comedic sound effects, the better). Girard only directs with style during the opening sequence which is one of the better opening credit sequences from the franchise but whatever visual expertise he shows there, he completely loses it as the film plods along. The look doesn’t really feel like a Halloween film. There is more of a gothic vibe, particularly with the new Myers house that doesn’t look close to any previous incarnation, and it’s a visual palette that simply doesn’t work.
Girard also directs most scenes competently but they also slug along. There is no real tension or suspense and the deaths are simply by the numbers. It could be because Girard doesn’t really make you care about any of the new characters. We root for Jamie and Loomis because we’re familiar with them. The new cast of characters are there to add to the Myers body count. There is an argument that this is the worst overall Halloween ensemble and I may be inclined to agree. They aren’t necessarily bad actors but they aren’t given characters to root for.
The most prominent of these new characters is Tina, played by Wendy Kaplan. Ask just about any Halloween fan and she may be listed as their most annoying character. The problem with Tina isn’t so much with how Kaplan plays her. I honestly think her personality isn’t as grating as most but the real issue is that she’s the replacement for Ellie Cornell’s Rachel who, after showing so much strength and tenacity in the previous installment, is snuffed out so quickly in this film that it just doesn’t feel honest. She was Jamie’s true protector and in her place is someone a bit more self-absorbed and extremely flighty. There is a scene where Jamie is begging her not to leave her by going to the Halloween party and even though I know this is storyline dictated and just a movie but, Tina leaves and it really says all you need to know about that character at that moment. She does get a moment of redemption later in the film that is a bit effective but by that point, the damage has been done and you’re ok with her fate.
There are also major story issues but the most glaring is the inclusion of the infamous “Man In Black”. During the “Halloween: 40 Years of Terror” convention, it was clear that not even the director knew exactly who this would be. In fact, it was stated that they would figure it out in part 6. This loose plot thread ultimately created problems heading into the next film because they felt the need to explain this and what we get is a lot of talk of thorn, cults, and alignments in the stars. It serves as a bit of a motive and explanation in part 6 that represents a low point of the franchise and the fact that it began here, with no real explanation, is just another reason to throw stones at part 5.
If there is one thing that works is the film has two constants and that is Danielle Harris and Donald Pleasence. In my part 4 review, I stated that Harris had talent beyond her years at such a young age and she continues displaying that talent here. It helps that Harris has such an expressive face. Her character has to be mute for a good portion of the film but she conveys so much emotion with just a look and despite the failing story around her, she still makes you root for her. Her poise is evident when she shares scenes with the young actor playing stuttering Billy. Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Landman were probably around the same age when they did this film but she comes off more like a little adult while he feels like a child. That’s just how much of a presence she had at that age. As for Donald Pleasence, this isn’t his best outing as Loomis but he’s so reliable and effective in the role that he just makes it work. He probably thought this film was a mess as well but he always seems 100% committed and that’s something that should be respected.
Don Shanks presents us with a physically imposing version of The Shape but I feel like the way he’s shot doesn’t do the character any favors. Myers is never remotely chilling here but that has more to do with how he’s framed in certain scenes rather than Shanks performance. I will say that Shanks is done no favors by the mask in this film which ranks up there as one of the worst. It’s amazing how hard it is to get this right but this is one film that doesn’t.
The film does pick up a bit of steam as it heads towards its climax. Myers chasing after Jamie in a car and the climactic conclusion in the Myers house is the only time the film really comes alive but by that point, it’s too little, too late. Halloween 5 is a frustrating experience because you know of all the places this film could’ve gone but all you get in the end is a rush job that turns into a run of the mill slasher film.
