Hello, horror fans! Welcome to this edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. Some movies are an instant success, some get a slow rise to fame, and others never get much recognition. Every month, on the second and fourth Fridays, I come here and talk about a horror film that I feel is underrated and underloved. I scour the depths of genre offerings to find the hidden gems. No hatchet, chainsaw, machete or pitchfork is left unchecked. In this edition, I present the incredibly controversial 1982 movie Halloween III.
About Halloween III
The third film in the Halloween franchise, and the only one that does not feature Michael Myers, Halloween III revolves around Silver Shamrock. The company releases a batch of creepy masks just in time for the spookiest holiday of the year. Unfortunately, these are no ordinary costume masks. The owner of Silver Shamrock has devised a devious plan to control the world’s children and the world. Two individuals are on a mission to uncover the novelty company’s evil doings, but will they be in time?
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This film stars Tom Adkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Michael Currie, Ralph Strait, Jadeen Barbor, Brad Schacter, Nancy Keys, Al Berry and more. Tommy Lee Wallace wrote and directed the movie.
Halloween III has a 50 percent Tomatometer Score and a 28 percent Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
My Thoughts
Before diving into online reviews, I already know viewers’ main issue with this movie. Halloween III is the only film in the entire franchise without Michael Myers. According to multiple reports, John Carpenter and Debra Hill intended to create an anthology series. The battle between Myers and Laurie Strode ended with Halloween II; therefore, they were going to move on with new characters in a new setting. Amusingly, one scene shows an ad playing on tv for the original film.
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Unfortunately for filmmakers, audiences had already attached the franchise name to the brutish slasher. In the world of horror, Michael Myers became a household name. There is no Halloween without him, which is tragic for Halloween III because it is a good film when separated from the franchise.
Of course, after sorting through reviews, there were a few other thoughts. A few viewers found it too boring; one noted a disconnect from the characters. In my opinion, these issues come back to personal preferences and do not necessarily reflect the film’s overall performance.
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I believe this movie would have been received much better if viewers were not expecting a story about Michael Myers. The disappointment can easily be a factor in harsher criticism. As to the boring comments, this aspect is quite subjective. To me, it is well-paced for an ’80s movie.
The concept for Halloween III is intriguing. An evil corporation begins a nefarious plan by imbuing Halloween masks with ancient magic to control the children who wear them. Could it have gone even more in-depth? Sure. But I find the movie enjoyable and interesting nonetheless. There is a decent plot, decent acting and good effects. While it moves away from the slasher aspect the rest of the franchise is known for, which means no gore, it still has spooky moments.
Final Thoughts
We have come to the end of another edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. Have you seen Halloween III? If so, what are your thoughts? Do you think it should have been standalone? I firmly believe it would not be as hated as it is if it was not attached to the franchise. If you have not seen it yet, go into it without expectations of Michael Myers or anything to do with that world. In this film’s universe, Michael Myers is a fictional character.
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There you have it, horror fans, another underrated horror in the books! Before you go, enjoy the trailer for Halloween III: Season of the Witch below. Until next time, stay spooky, stay cheesy, and above all, watch more horror movies.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/movie-review-pennywise-the-story-of-it/
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