Why ‘Halloween III: Season of the Witch’ is a Good, Stand Alone Piece of Horror

I was talking to a film buddy of mine yesterday and he dropped some insightful information that had not hit me until the moment the words left his mouth: Halloween III is a good film. Initially, anyone in this line of work has an immediate sense of "Nope." But, if thought about genuinely, it makes great sense. At that time, the Halloween series was obviously championed by our favorite emotionless killer, Michael Myers. It's a character that was ingrained in the series so much that a third film daring to threaten that villain was absolute blasphemy. This is false. Below is why. 

This film stands solely on its own two feet. It breaks away from Michael Myers and does not bat an eye in doing it. So, how does it do this successfully? Good, creepy subject matter is how. Alongside its mediocre commentary on advertising, the screenplay penned by Tommy Lee Wallace (also director) shines a light on creepy horror vs. situational horror, represented by the first two installments. We are thrown into a town that is flat out strange and eerie in every way possible, and we know that Cochran is at the helm of all the strange things lurking around each town corner. This is where all three installments mirror each other: a unique environment that makes the audience uncomfortable and timid. Where Halloween III diverts, though, is towards the final Act. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=thz8P0ZfcgY

Instead of going the scripting route of masked villain killing the entire cast except one, Halloween III disregards that formula and sets out to be more bizarre. We are introduced to conspiracy theories instead of bumps in the night. We see fictional violence vs. realistic violence. This divergence is what makes this a successful stand alone picture. Not to mention it is just a fun film to watch – the special effects dance on the screen. It encapsulates the strangeness of Halloween instead of the blood drenched scariness that came from the original and the "meh" sequel. 

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