Halloween 3: Season of the Witch (1982)
- written April 1999
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Interesting little horror film with a treasonous title. This film bears no relation in any way, shape, or form to the prequels and sequels with the same name. By itself though, it is an good horror film with some neat effects and story. We revolve around a small-town doctor, Dan Challis, who is shocked by one of his patients who is brought in unconscious. Seems the old man had quite a scare and is carrying around a Halloween mask. Within an hour of being admitted, the man is killed and Dr. Dan is off to catch the killer. But as the killer reaches the parking lot, he lights himself on fire, killing himself. At that point, Dr. Dan knows he's been brought into a deep mystery. After days of trying to reach the man's daughter, the meeting occurs and they agree to find out what happened to her father. Dr. Dan and Ellie eventually make it to the city of Santa Mira, California where Silver Shamrock Novelties make the Halloween masks that Ellie's father sells. Once there, mysterious things begin to happen and people are dying all around them. With the help of a lab assistant, named Teddy, Dr. Dan is determined to find out what happened to the Ellie's dad and also find out what Silver Shamrock is up to. But beware, people can get really attached to those Halloween masks. And don't forget the obligatory Pagan and Celtic references - it is Halloween after all.
Overall: I've always enjoyed this film, despite the fact it is practically criminal what the film producers did by taking the title of a very famous horror series. If this has simply been titled "Season of the Witch" or "The Masks that ate New York" that would have probably solved most horror fans hatred of this film. To further ire horror fans, the film actually places the climax of the film (a commercial on TV) to air after a showing of the original "Halloween" film. I do say that despite these treacherous acts, the film is worth seeing. In fact, I really like the movie...I do. It's one of my favorites, but only after I ignore anything that is related to the "Halloween" series. Just the idea of the masks and the date works for me, the song is addictive. I love it. As long as I stay away from the fact this pretends to be a sequel, I am good. By the way, download the final audio for the Silver Shamrock commercial. In response to his review of “Deuce Bigalow 2 : European Gigolo,” the famed film reviewer, Roger Ebert decided to name his all-time worst films. This film made the list. Here is what he said: The one saving grace in "Halloween III" is Stacey Nelkin, who plays the heroine. She has one of those rich voices that makes you wish she had more to say and in a better role. But watch her, too, in the reaction shots: When she's not talking, she's listening. She has a kind of rapt, yet humorous, attention that I thought was really fetching. Too bad she plays her last scene without a head. Comparison: The Mask meets Scooby Doo Adventures |
Links to other sites at The Sinning Room
Halloween Reviews Page
Halloween IV
Scene by Scene descriptions of the film
Horror Films A-K Reviews Page
Horror Films Review Page
40 Second MPG
Silver Shamrock audio portion of the commerical
