Halloween II (1981)

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (23) | DVD (13)

Rick Rosenthal, who directed this 1981 sequel, doesn't have Carpenter's expansive, affectionate way with stereotypical characters, and without it they're empty shells -- bodies waiting for the slaughter.

August 27, 2007 Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

This uninspired version amounts to lukewarm sloppy seconds in comparison to the original film that made director John Carpenter a hot property.

August 27, 2007 Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

The result won't make any converts, but Jamie Lee Curtis is as good as ever.

February 9, 2006 Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Top Critic

It's a little sad to witness a fall from greatness, and that's what we get in Halloween II.

October 23, 2004 Full Review | Comments (6)

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Halloween II is good enough to deserve a sequel of its own.

August 30, 2004 Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

Halloween is a classic and its first sequel is a sloppy afterthought.

January 1, 2000 Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

The script is fairly routine and Jamie Lee Curtis has too little to do this time around, but the hospital setting proves to be a sound choice for a locale.

October 13, 2012 Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Halloween II isn't a knockout sequel, but it's a solid, if slightly slow, follow-up to the original horror classic.

September 26, 2012 Full Review

R. L. Shaffer

IGN DVD

Halloween II is no masterpiece, and established a framework for some of the hackiest filmmaking in horror history. But at least the world knows now to never run on hospital floors covered in fresh blood.

September 17, 2012 Full Review

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Any childhood favorite that is still a good deal of fun today is a movie worthy of some note.

September 15, 2011 Full Review | Comment (1)

Scott Weinberg

FEARnet

A more than solid if admittedly inferior continuation.

October 28, 2008 Full Review

Dustin Putman

DustinPutman.com

The film is best if watched back-to-back with the first.

October 8, 2008 Full Review

Lucius Gore

ESplatter

Does the worst thing any sequel can ever do: it retroactively taints the original and makes it less interesting.

July 21, 2008 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

A bad sequel to a good movie.

August 27, 2007 Full Review

Mike Emery

Austin Chronicle

Debra Hill and John Carpenter produced and wrote the screenplay, but this film is still a totally unnecessary and extremely poor sequel to the original.

August 27, 2007 Full Review

TV Guide's Movie Guide

This kill-happy sequel is a lot bloodier than needed, but it's still pretty frightening nevertheless.

October 21, 2005

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Substandard sequel.

May 1, 2005

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

• 1. Laurie Strode: Don't let them put me to sleep! Don't let 'em put me to sleep. No... Please don't let them put me to sleep.
  – Submitted by Jordan E (11 months ago)
• 1. Laurie Strode: Help me!
  – Submitted by Maximus D (18 months ago)
• 1. Sam Loomis: I'm sorry I left you. Are you all right?
  2. Laurie Strode: Why won't he die?
  – Submitted by Creep F (24 months ago)
• 1. Sam Loomis: It's Time, Michael.
  – Submitted by Creep F (24 months ago)
• 1. Marion: Marion Chambers with Dr. Loomis at the clinic he's here. [Voice on radio: Ah, ten-four. Unit calling, identify suspect.] Michael Myers! Just get your ass over here!
  – Submitted by Creep F (24 months ago)
• 1. Budd: (singing) Amazing Grace, come sit on my face. Don't make cry. I need your pie.
  2. Jimmy: Look why don't you just shut up, all right?
  – Submitted by Creep F (24 months ago)

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