[Quick Summary: Picking up from the first film, Laurie is transported to the hospital, where she and others are stalked by Mike Myers, who is still alive.]
BAD NEWS: I liked this script but didn't love it.
The stakes are high and it's scary, but...it feels like Halloween 1, the second half.
I guess I'm still not sure what makes a sequel good to meet people's expectations.
GOOD NEWS: I think the opening is a real crowd pleaser.
It acknowledges the loyal audience, "We know why you came: For scares!"
ex. "FADE IN:
MAIN TITLE SEQUENCE
In the middle of a black screen is a pumpkin.
A jack-o-lantern. Two candles on either side cast a flickering orange glow on the carved, grinning face.
CAMERA SLOWLY DOLLIES IN on the pumpkin.
SUPERIMPOSE MAIN TITLES.
Finally the pumpkin FILLS THE SCREEN. The final credit is SUPERIMPOSED.
Then suddenly the pumpkin CRACKS OPEN from top to bottom!
Underneath the meat, pulp and seeds that pour out is a wet, gleaming skull!
DISSOLVE TO:
BLACK SCREEN."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I like a script that knows what it is, and delivers.
Here, this is a horror script and it delivers the scares from the opening shot, i.e., the audience knows it's in good hands.
Halloween II (1981)(shooting script, dated 3/12/81)
by John Carpenter and Debra Hill
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