The story pitch for Halloween III was “ Witchcraft in the computer age. An original anthology story each year any of which could be sequelized or branched-off from. Moreover, they pitched the idea that these films could become an annual tradition. Halloween III would not feature Michael Myers instead, it would be an entirely new story exploring other facets of the Halloween holiday. Given carte blanche, Carpenter and Hill presented, what, at the time was an exceptionally novel idea. But as you might imagine, the various producers of the first two pictures didn’t want to abandon their Halloween horror money train. So, let’s get into it is Halloween III a trick or a treat?Īs I stated in my review of Halloween II (1982), this franchise’s creators, John Carpenter and Debra Hill felt perfectly fine putting Michael Myers to bed for good with that second installment.

With that in mind, I’m going to give you some insight on the development of Halloween III: Season of the Witch as well as my take on the movie. However, in the 36 years since then, the film in review has gained a devout cult following and found new life. A film that upon its release, baffled audiences and was ultimately dismissed by them at the time.

And for the Halloween franchise, there’s Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982). Then there’s Jason Voorhees, whose resurrection was roundly rejected in Friday the 13th, Part V: A New Beginning (1985). For Freddy Krueger, it’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985). Before we rush to get to the latest 21st-century attempt to breathe new life into this series, let’s look at the first attempt to do so with Halloween III: Season of the Witch!Įvery long-running horror film franchise has a black sheep in its filmic flock. In doing so, I’ll trace precisely how one of the most convoluted movie franchises in history got to the already divisive entry and why we need it.

More than that though, it created a franchise that spanned 11 movies, 4 continuities, and 40 years With the upcoming 11th entry, Blumhouse’s Halloween, set to be released on October 19th, I’ll take a look back at the Halloween franchise. It gave us an icon of modern horror in Michael Myers. John Carpenter’s classic slasher flick is rightfully considered one of the best horror movies ever made. However, my favorite holiday of Halloween did not gain a film that genuinely celebrated it until 1978’s Halloween. Most folks, myself included, go to certain movies around the holidays. (i.e., Was this sequel a worthy expansion of this franchise or was it an implosion of sorts?). In looking at a franchise, each entry in a franchise will be given a review and then be examined as part of the bigger franchise. Franchise Expansion (or Implosion) is a column that looks at franchises that have new installments or releases forthcoming.

Halloween iii jack martin