Parents' Guide to Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

The return of original lead actor Curtis to the franchise 20 years after the first film was released is a huge win for this modernized seventh outing. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later certainly injects new life into the series, though with varying results. The star power is stronger, with the likes of Hartnett, LL Cool J, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Curtis' own mother, Janet Leigh, all in the cast. There's also a more knowing, postmodern feel. Scream was released two years before this, and its influence is present in no uncertain terms -- characters are even seen watching it on TV. It is, sadly, the first in the franchise to be filmed after the death of Donald Pleasence, and although Dr. Loomis is missed, his character is acknowledged early on with a voiceover and references to his work. Where the film takes a risk that doesn't entirely pay off, is relocating from the ill-fated Haddonfield to a California private school, which offers some useful set pieces -- a scene with a dumbwaiter in particular -- but loses that sense of history in the process. It's a decent entry into the franchise, with solid performances and kills, but little in the way of additional flair.