@@sinical1031 People expected Michael Myers....because lack of imagination I guess. I love the first two Halloween movies but all the other Michael movies are terrible.
themadrapper101 The same director was involved with both films. I’d much rather watch the former than the latter. At least Halloween Resurrection was more entertaining to watch and Busta Rhymes was a lot of fun (whether ironically or not). Edit: Sorry, he was actually involved with the original Halloween 2. My memories mixed up.
I think the reason Cochran let Challis escape is because he knew he'd won anyways. The chips were out in the public, the commercial was already set to run, Stonehenge had already been activated. Even though they did destroy the factory, Cochran won hours ago, evidenced by the smile he has upon being turned into pure energy. Leaving Challis with robo-Ellie was just a spiteful parting gift for the loser.
@@conalcochranh3274 you don't think they would have made him *slightly* more visible then (if he really was the guy w/the pipe), even if it was supposed to be super-subtle foreshadowing?
excellent points you make but i think cochran had it all planned down to a tee from start to finish he leaked plans to ellie dad accidently on purpose etc he wanted a hero to oppose him and got challis was the man he made it all happen & bonus cochran gets killed=what he wanted no police coming to arrest him after death etc cochran clapping challis was like saying you unwittingly did all that was predicted and what i wanted you to do so clap clap he welcomed his death or seeming defeat he lost battle but cochran won the war he wanted death and he got it as next astrological alignment another 3000 years into the future? maybe cochran ancestors were witches & warlocks his mother a witch etc
Fun fact: Stacey Nelkin was supposed to play a replicant in Blade Runner, and in this film, she gets turned to an android. Both were released in 1982 as well
They could've tied up Halloween 3 with the first Halloween movie by making it all happen the same night. For instance, we see the clown mask was made by Silver Shamrock and Michael as a kid takes one of them. Then, it shows how each mask effects the kids differently ranging from committing murder to just straight up killed. Anyways, the third movie is probably the best one out of the whole series.
That is a really cool idea. The one issue is Michael Murdered Judith in 67, and H3 is early 80s. I’m not sure that matters though as the clown mask could be connected to young Cochran with about 3 minutes at the end hinting at it. I don’t know, but it is a really cool idea.
themadrapper101 Why? Halloween in general doesn't really have anything to with Michael. It makes sense. Plus, you can't set a status quo with two films.
I made these exact connections! Harrowing screams of strong heroes rendered totally defeated. I would add the cop from the OG Wicker Man as well. "Oh God! Oh Jesus CHRIIIST!"
Nickolay Semenov We could try to convince Hollywood to go on board with it, but if there’s anything I’ve learned about this series and Hollywood in general, it’s that studios are too stubborn and scarred of box office bombs to _actually_ listen and use their brains and feedback rather than money.
When i was a kid this was my favorite Halloween movie out of the series. Conspiracies are far more scary than some guy with a Shatner mask with family issues.
I never understood the hate myself, it isn't a particularly great movie, but it still manages to be fucking creepy and the story was rather original especially when compared to how repetitive the series became. There was even the whole crazy thorn cult thing in the later sequels that didn't make any sense and can't forget the continuity being completely fucked due to all the soft reboots, yet Season of the Witch is considered by many to be the worst movie in the franchise.
I get chills at that ending, even to this day. When I first saw this as a kid, I loved it because it was different, and for context, the 2nd movie is my favorite of the original ones. I really wish we got an anthology series, seriously.
I always liked this installment of the series the best. The creepy music and atmosphere and the brutal kill scenes just made it a bit more scarier than the original for some reason.
Halloween fandom 1982: WHAT IS THIS?! THERE'S NO MICHEAL MYERS??!! WHAT'S THIS SILVER SHAMROCK COMPANY??!! WE WANT MICHEAL MYERS!!!! Halloween fandom today: WHY DIDN'T THEY STICK WITH THE ANTHOLOGY IDEA
@@ianrotten4453 Or Irish. Or just spells the name "michael" however it is most commonly spelled around them because it's entirely possible to never notice there are two different spellings, given the way normal people (looking right at the first two commenters here) tend to skim over familiar names? Or, even, that someone maybe made a typo and didn't feel like going back to correct an ultimately meaningless mistake just because annoying internet people are demanding it be corrected, none-too-politely.
I always thought they could've folded this back into the series by using that cult angle from one of the later ones and saying that Cochran was their pawn; the many children he killed aided them in resurrecting Michael and making him truly immortal. Did he even try and save his own kids? Presumably, those were the masks their Mom bought them.
I think they could have made the anthology idea work... if they had not already made Halloween II as another Michael Myers story. If Season of the Witch had been the second film rather than the third one, I believe it would have worked.
Carandini While I see your point and I agree that things would’ve been better if they did that (along with the filmmakers actually telling people what they’re doing), but the reason why they did that at all is because Michael Myers died at the end of 2 and this was before the idea of slasher villains constantly coming back from the dead really took off. It’s especially annoying when the sequels try to pretend that Michael never burnt to a crisp in an attempt to avoid ripping off Friday the 13th.
I’m honestly happy that II was made, it was a good conclusion to the characters, but even so I could of gone both ways with only 1 being made and jumping into the anthology way. As much as I love II, it did kill the idea of an anthology right from the get-go.
"Trick or Treat" from 2007 is probably what Halloween series would have been like if they kept it an anthology thing. Shame we instead had to have shitty sequels with Michael becoming Jason 2.0
@@jsb6975.ah.crapbasketsFunny connection between 3 and 6, Mitchell Ryan as Dr. Wynn was in Lethal Weapon, which Tom Atkins was also in. There's also some Halloween 3 references in 6, the babysitter, Mrs. Blanketship had the same last name as "Minnie Blanketship", an unseen character from H3.
I’ve seen Halloween 3, Robocop 1 and Robocop 2. I still watch the Simpsons. The physical similarity between C. Montgomery Burns and the Late Dan O’Herlihy is uncanny. Also, doesn’t the plot for Halloween 3 sound like something Mr. Burns would attempt in a Treehouse of Terror episode?
KeepingAngelaBaker I’d have thought so too. Then I saw the Simpson two-parter where Mr. Burns built a large satellite to block out the sun in Springfield. I just happened to catch that repeat right after seeing Robocop 2.
I actually prefer this one over the others cuz its unique and anthology would have been better i mean they probably could have brought Michael back after a while with maybe a cross between their other stories but making them all about Michael kinda got boring, i mean look at street fighter alpha anthology that game is awesome lol
Ditto, as much as I enjoy the struggles between Michael Myers & Dr. Lumis, I have to confess that the Halloween series would have been MUCH better off if they had just allowed Michael to rest in peace after part 2 and embrace the horror anthology series format instead. I can only imagine how many amazing Halloween related horror stories we could have gotten if people had been willing to give part 3 a chance. Every Halloween we could have gotten a completely new story, never knowing what creepy new tale to expect, instead of watching Myer's story get driven into the ground as time passed by. I will admit part 4 is a guilty pleasure of mine though, but I still think the anthology format would have been better in the long run.
WRATH2501 There’s a Trick r’ Treat sequel in the works. At least I get a glimpse at what the Halloween anthology _could’ve_ been. I _love_ Trick r’ Treat!
I make it a tradition to watch this alongside Halloween ‘78, Sleepy Hollow, and Treak ‘r Treat every year. There’s a lot of films that take place on Halloween, or invoke certain elements of it, but those four in particular are the only films I consider truly synonymous with the season.... Happy Halloween >:} 😈🎃👻☠️
Scotttjt solid list....Trick r treat doesn't get the recognition it deserves imo. Such a great, atmospheric movie that really puts you in the Halloween spirit
I like those pumpkin mask from the movie they are so cute. I mean I wouldn't wear it out fear of dying but I would keep it on a mannequin head on my shelf.
I actually think this movie is connected to the rest of the series Silver shamrock is in league with the thorn cult and they made the classic Myers mask Its pretty simple to pull a connection that makes sense out of my ass
even though it doesnt have the halloween theme music, its soundtrack is glorious, the best after the 1st movie, its a like a horror version of the terminator
Imagine an alternate universe where the Halloween franchise stayed an anthology series. How different things would be if it wasn't strictly another cookie-cutter slasher horror franchise like Freddy and Jason are.
Great review I'd add that the thing missed here is how the film played on the satanic panic/religious right reactionary sentiments of the reagan eighties. The idea that the television and demonic toys were being used by evil pagan/satanist businessmen to brainwash the children was pretty much the heart of the less remembered 80s. This was such a wide spread notion that people who thought it was ridiculous still seemed to think they should be vigilant and proceed with caution. Taking that to a hyperbolic logical conclusion where the t.v. and halloween masks from a toy company are *literally killing* children *directly* was something that everyone involved could appreciate for different reasons. It shows the ridiculousness of these ideas to one audience member while actually playing them up for honest horror effect for another. Also, you really have to watch this, particularly on vhs especially, to pick up on the overall atmosphere and tone; which is creepy and dream like, and blandly sterile at the same time in a way I can't say I've seen much. The excitement of sunset on Halloween, the safety and potential danger inherent to that eras suburban environments...I'm not sure you can pick up the whole thing unless you really experienced what that felt like, the freedom and threat of the wild savage world before they started tightening the screws on society. Honestly while I was watching this (when it was released) I felt both cheated and confused *and* intrigued and deeply satisfied for the whole run time. I left with a lot to think about and discuss. This is one of the few films, all of which were in the 80s, that produced this type of experience in me. It still puts a strange tension in my chest that feels like a kind of akward regret mixed with anticipation and excitement. I can't think of many things that have made me feel that specific way. It's like an odd odor that is neither pleasing or repulsive but is for some reason life affirming like the metallic fragrance of a nose bleed. I like the fact that this channel explores movies like this. I feel like this guy shares a lot of my same sensibilities.
Saw this when it first came out in 82' and loved it. The first Halloween was a classic, the second one was, IMO, pretty stupid and all other Halloween movies after III really stunk. The MM character worked for a single movie, but the fact is, an unstoppable killing machine with really no motive is just dumb. In fact, if you want the scariest movie villains in history, just turn on C-Span. They do more damage, and kill more people than all movie villains combined.
The best damn 'Halloween' movie out of all of them. It even features Michael, albeit only on TV. Biggest kill count as well. That's the way to celebrate Halloween - with a sacrifice.
I was one of the few people who actually saw this at the cinema when it came out. "very small cinema in Manchester" I at first was confused as we all thought it would directly follow the other 2 movie's. And on leaving the cinema did feel both confused and disappointed. I did however notice in tiny writing "All New" on the poster as I left. I soon came to love this film and it now stands as one of my very favourite Carpenter connected movies. What's great about this film is the fantastic sense of atmosphere and I for one love it.
@@iamnostalgic9567 I didn't take it as an insult. I was agreeing. I still love the classics, and love it when I find old horror movies on VHS. Heck, people are getting into transfering current movies on DVD to VHS to make it retro, and I like it. I have Elijah Wood's Maniac and Ryan Reynolds's The Voices on VHS now.
Here's an idea. Start marathoning the Halloween franchise beginning at the original. After you finish Season of the Witch, follow that up with Night of the Demons (1988) and conclude it with Trick r' Treat (2007). You could call it the "Alternate Universe Halloween Series Marathon!"
Glad you got into Cochran’s speech there. He just seeks it so well, just a bad guy who’s a gentleman as well. I wish O’herlihey was still around as he could sell sarcastic evil really well.
Regarding the Ellie android, I always thought that the real Ellie was switched out and probably still somewhere in the factory when it blew, while Challis was unknowingly rescued the android.
This was the first Halloween film i've watched. So i didn't know that Michael Myers was ,,suppose,, to be in it. I liked it a lot. Than i watched Halloween 2, and the original Halloween. Complete reversal.
In 1982 I was working at the little movie theater in town running the projector. I was 15. We showed this when it came out and I've loved it ever since. A great gothic apocalyptic tale. Oh and best job I ever had.
wstine79 ScreamFactory put out a decent DVD/Blu-ray SE not too long ago, it has a so-so transfer but likely better than the DVD from Universal 14 years ago. www.blu-ray.com/movies/Halloween-III-Season-of-the-Witch-Blu-ray/24433/ It’s likely the best this film’s ever going to get so... EDIT: I haven’t seen it but apparently Universal put out their own bare bones Blu-ray in 2015 that has a much better transfer than the 2012 special edition from Scream factory, that’s what people are saying but I can’t verify this because I haven’t seen it yet.
Trivia, Dick Warlock played Michael Myers in Halloween 2. Anyway going off the idea of making Halloween an anthology series, what I think would of been a fantastic idea for the next film would of been a sequel to Season of the witch, which would of concluded that movie much like Halloween 2 and then keep the 2 film streak going which each first movie ending on a cliffhanger which would make it so each first film could stand alone as a creepy lingering entity and each sequel as an optional way to see the horror concluded - That would of made for a fantastic series of movies you could either finish or let stand alone, great for people who just love horror and people who enjoy full stories. Someone should really take a chance and try it - Start with one brand of horror centred around a theme and change the genre every couple of sequels, it would actually give a reason to milk a franchise into the ground on a cinematic level.
Its a depressing thought of what could have been, and it shows how repetitive and inside the box most people are, anyways on a more positive note great review.
The music was cool, it had that Halloween 2 type synthesizer music. It puts you in the mood for Halloween and fall. That’s all I expect from a movie like this.
Y'know Brandon,I actually enjoyed your review on this movie...although this may be the only time I had to put it on mute. (Thank God for closed captions!)
I don't know why, but suddenly (after watching some reruns of Wonder Woman), that this could have also been a Halloween episode of 77' Lynda Carter WW, given how many foes she battled were suits with 70s porno-staches or crooked small town cops in cowboy hats and large sunglasses. She'd even be treated to the best villain monologue ever, with her responding with "you're insane". The only gore however would probably just her punching the robot suits and pulling out her fist with goo all over, no kid's head rotting with bugs n' snakes. And the ending would result with Steve Trevor using government strings to shut off the broadcast before anyone died unlike the "did they?" end to the movie. Still I love this movie WAY more too then any if the Meyers ones, always thought he was played out after 4, all we needed was Jason & Freddy, but of course competing movie studios will one-up each other.
What's really weird is Roger Elbert's review for this. Read it. He says the film opens after Michael Myer's death from the last movie, and keeps cutting back to someone rummaging through his ashes. I've never seen a version like this. Anyone know what he's talking about? Here's a link to the review www.google.com/amp/www.rogerebert.com/reviews/amp/halloween-iii-season-of-the-witch-1982
I don't know why Roger wrote that it begins at the end of Halloween II, because Season of the Witch has no connection whatsoever to the previous two movies. And he's not referring to Michael Myers as 'the monster' who got burned up but rather the android assassin who killed Ellie's father at the hospital and then blew itself up in a car at the hospital parking lot. All that was left was burned ashes and robotic parts which were later examined by a female lab technician who was later murdered by another android after it forced a power drill through her skull.
The ending is horrifying the fact basically every single child in america dies is absolutely scary edit:actually the children do survive Atkins himself confirmed it
