HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION — ** — Busta Rhymes, Bianca Kajlich, Tyra Banks, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Sean Patrick Thomas, Daisy McCrackin, Ryan Merriman, Jamie Lee Curtis; rated R (violence, gore, profanity, vulgarity, drug use, sex); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16; Cinemark Jordan Landing Theaters; Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons; Redwood Drive-in (with "The Bourne Identity"); Westates Trolley Corners and Trolley North Theatres.
That prolific little slasher Michael Myers slaughters his way through his eighth cast in "Halloween: Resurrection."
Not scary but mildly satisfying anyway, "Resurrection" has a primo finale, a sense of humor, a clever premise and a lead actress (played by Bianca Kajlich) who's terrific. The idea is that six college students participate in a "Real World"-like Internet series, where they try to survive a night in the house where Myers was born, abused and introduced to homicide. Meanwhile, a cheering house party of kids watches their antics on the Net, wondering if Michael will return for more mayhem. Gee. You think?
Since Michael dies in every movie, there are a few inconsistencies, some of which are dealt with (Jamie Lee Curtis, who appears briefly, killed the wrong masked man in "H20") and some of which aren't (Curtis' son, who was played by Josh Hartnett, isn't mentioned). Still, we do get a look at Myers' knife block, revealing the knife sharpener that is essential to his work, and we get a chance to muse that he must have attended the Carol Merrill school of product handling since, even in the darkest night, he always positions his bloody knife so that it glints menacingly.
This is neither the best "Halloween" film nor the worst (and, I'll wager, it isn't the last). But it does squeeze out a couple of jolts and a few laughs, and it doesn't go down the road of the Freddy and Jason movies. "Halloween: Resurrection" refuses to cheapen the complexity and odd empathy Myers elicits, even as he raises his knife on yet another victim.
"Halloween: Resurrection" is rated R for graphic horror violence (stabbings and other violent attacks), gore, frequent use of strong, sex-related profanity and crude sexual slang terms, simulated drug use and simulated sex. Running time: 85 minutes.