This cool little 45 minute retrospective documentary offers an enjoyable and informative portrait on the making of "Halloween II." Among the folks interviewed are director Rick Rosenthal, cinematographer Dean Cundey, co-composer Alan Howarth, executive producer Irwin Yablans, actors Leo Rossi and Lance Guest, actor/stunt coordinator Dick Warlock, Tommy Lee Wallace, and actresses Ana Alicia, Tawny Moyer, and Nancy Stephens. Wallace reveals that he was originally offered the opportunity to direct the film, but turned said offer down because he didn't care for the script. Yablans admits that he though the script was pedestrian and predictable as well as thinks the movie went overboard with the graphic gore. Rosenthal points out that he wanted to recreate the look and feel of the original as much as possible because the sequel was a direct continuation of the first one. Rossi talks about how Rosenthal went to bat for his casting as Bud and reveals that the water in the hot tub was freezing cold (we also find out that Pamela Susan Shoop was very reluctant to do the nudity for the hot tub scene). Alicia notes that she was such a hardcore method actress that after she accidentally cut her eye open on a desk shooting her death scene she tried unsuccessfully to persuade Rosenthal to leave that unintended moment in. Guest talks about how eager he was since it was his film debut. Cundey admits that he felt obligated to shoot the film out of a sense of loyalty. In addition, everyone mentions that Pleasence was a total pro to work with, Warlock discusses how careful he was with the cast members concerning their death scenes, the original ending was changed, and John Carpenter shot additional scenes after principal shooting on the movie was completed. Recommended viewing for fans of the film.
2 Reviews
The Making of Halloween II
Michael_Elliott16 January 2015
The Nightmare Isn't Over: The Making of Halloween II (2012)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
There have been several documentaries made about the making of the HALLOWEEN series but, as fans know, you can never have too many. This 45-minute documentary was included on the Shout Factory release of HALLOWEEN II and features a pretty good chunk of the original members, although Jamie Lee Curtis is obviously missing. We get director Rick Rosenthal, composer Alan Howarth, executive producer Irwin Yablans, Tommy Lee Wallace (who'd go onto direct the third film) as well as actors Lance Guest, Leo Rossi, Dick Warlock, Ana Alicia, Nancy Stephens and Tawny Moyer.
The documentary covers pretty much the entire process starting from the early stages of the film getting off the ground and how a lawsuit over THE FOG is what got John Carpenter on board. From here we hear about how the gore level was going to be added and some of the new themes that were brought to the film. It's quite clear that Yablans wasn't overly thrilled with the original screenplay and it seems that there were two difference sides fighting for a different type of picture, which is later explained on why Carpenter came in and directed some new scenes just to spice the picture up.
The entire documentary covers some great topics and all of the people interviewed appear to be having a blast getting to talk about the film. One of the highlights deals with Rossi talking about the hot tub scene and what it was like having cold water in there. Warlock also has some great stories about how he got the job playing Michael Myers and a few of the things that he brought to the film. Overall, this is a very entertaining and fun documentary, although one really wishes Carpenter was here defending his actions.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
There have been several documentaries made about the making of the HALLOWEEN series but, as fans know, you can never have too many. This 45-minute documentary was included on the Shout Factory release of HALLOWEEN II and features a pretty good chunk of the original members, although Jamie Lee Curtis is obviously missing. We get director Rick Rosenthal, composer Alan Howarth, executive producer Irwin Yablans, Tommy Lee Wallace (who'd go onto direct the third film) as well as actors Lance Guest, Leo Rossi, Dick Warlock, Ana Alicia, Nancy Stephens and Tawny Moyer.
The documentary covers pretty much the entire process starting from the early stages of the film getting off the ground and how a lawsuit over THE FOG is what got John Carpenter on board. From here we hear about how the gore level was going to be added and some of the new themes that were brought to the film. It's quite clear that Yablans wasn't overly thrilled with the original screenplay and it seems that there were two difference sides fighting for a different type of picture, which is later explained on why Carpenter came in and directed some new scenes just to spice the picture up.
The entire documentary covers some great topics and all of the people interviewed appear to be having a blast getting to talk about the film. One of the highlights deals with Rossi talking about the hot tub scene and what it was like having cold water in there. Warlock also has some great stories about how he got the job playing Michael Myers and a few of the things that he brought to the film. Overall, this is a very entertaining and fun documentary, although one really wishes Carpenter was here defending his actions.
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