Halloween III: Season of the Witch

I enjoyed this HALLOWEEN sequel even more than the last time I watched it. My feelings from my prior review below are still true, but I think I appreciated even more writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace, who made the under-appreciated Tim Curry TV-mini series version of Stephen King's IT, for delivering a well-crafted film that is delightfully tongue-in-cheek and is completely unconcerned with being connected to the Laurie StroDe and Michael Myers storyline from the first two films, embracing much more of a throwback feel to 1950s and 60s sci-fi horror films along the lines of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS or INVADERS FROM MARS. This time around, I was also struck by how much the suit-wearing, seemingly inhuman security agents for the mysterious Halloween costume company were similar to the agents in THE MATRIX films, predating that film by almost 20 years. Director of Photography Dean Cundey (JURASSIC PARK, APOLLO 13, and THE THING) returned for this sequel, as did Carpenter and Alan Howard for the score, which provides a bit of continuity with the first two films in their look and feel. Overall, what I think I loved most about the film was its throwback appeal to earlier sci-fi horror films, which was more pronounced to me this time around. Below is my review from the last time I watched it.  4-25-17 No Michael Meyers, but good horror fun Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) *** John Carpenter's frequent collaborator Tommy Lee Wallace wrote and directed this non-Michael Myers HALLOWEEN sequel that's more of an "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" type of story than a slasher film. Carpenter regular Tom Atkins plays a father investigating a mysterious Halloween costume company run by evil scientist Dan O'Herlihy. The film does have a bit slower of pace than I'd have liked, but I did like the creepy company town vibe that's nicely oppressive. This was the last film that involved producers John Carpenter and Debra Hill, who also did uncredited rewrites. Carpenter and Alan Howarth provided the film's score, so this film still feels consistent with the first two films, even if the story is a drastic departure. Although fans did not like this film at the time of its release, and it had poor box office, I've always liked this oddball entry into the Halloween series and wish there might have been further non-Michael Myers HALLOWEEN films by Carpenter and Company. 

I view this as a film separate from the Holloween franchise and am reviewing it as such. It doesn't pick up steam until 30 minutes in. It was an interesting and had an original story line. It's a good horror flick.

Very underrated but I think it would been better if it was in it's own universe and not Michael's

This movie isn't a Michael Myers movie, it's part of the original anthology concept for Halloween, so I'm judging it as a standalone movie and writing this review before I watch the other 12 movies, since I watched this one first, but posting it after I watch Halloween Ends, with my other reviews. And wow. This movie is absolutely insane. It's basically Ring meets Goosebumps and it is a wild experience. Let me start by saying that the concept is absolutely amazing. An evil mask company makes haunted masks that, when their ad appears on the TV, kill the children wearing them, the company being led by a warlock named Conal Cochran who wants to revive the Pagan aspects of Halloween by sacrificing children. It's wild, just like this movie, and I love it. The ending is also amazing and, in my opinion, the best part of the movie. It's intense watching Daniel begging the TV stations to take the commercial off the air and the ending is open ended in the best way possible, feeling haunting. It's one of those movies where the more you watch it, the more it grows on you. Overall, this is an absolutely wild movie and I wish we got more Halloween movies like this. But for now, this will suffice.

Absolutely underrated. It has nothing to do with the rest of the Halloween franchise, but I liked it very much. One of the best Halloween films.

Dude, Halloween III: Season of the Witch has NOTHING to do with "Him." I think this movie would've done better if it was just it's own movie instead of being a part of the original series.

"This movie is just okay. The kills are pretty good, and the movie has its moments, however, it's also pretty slow and takes a minute for things to ramp up."

Halloween III: Season of the Witch, intended to establish John Carpenter’s Halloween series as an obstacle course franchise in relation to the holiday rather than a Michael Myers franchise, presented a solid original premise of cursed masks, however, the film occasionally veers into silly directions. Grading: C

That was a random detour.

This movie is pretty cool. It feels a little made for tv though, but other than that it is quite decent and one of the better entries in the Halloween series. The special effects are great! Rating: 7/10