Halloween: H2O MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

The film has nothing to do with water, instead the title indicates that the plot begins 20 years after the first Halloween film was made, revisiting the original victim. Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie, the woman victimized by her crazed knife-wielding brother, Michael. Although Laurie has not been able to overcome all the tragedy in her past, she has completed college, changed her name, had a son, John (Josh Hartnett), and become headmistress of a prep school. But as hard as she tries Laurie just can't put her past behind her. On Halloween she becomes a "basket case," popping pills and drinking alcohol. Laurie refuses to let John go on a school field trip, because she fears Michael will find him. So, unbeknownst to Laurie, John plans to stay home and "play sex games" with his best friend and two girls. Sure enough, Michael shows up and begins to kill the teens. Laurie discovers the mayhem and goes knife to knife with Michael. The film is extremely suspenseful with sounds such as heavy breathing that make the audience jump and scream. Original Halloween fans will flock to see this scary film, and current-day teens will thrill to discover the heart-pounding action.

The original Halloween movie in 1978 was one of the first of the "teen slasher films." The new film follows that exact formula of person after person being slayed. But this time Laurie is not going to take it lying down. However, she is a nervous alcoholic who swears at her son. The '90's teens are much more up front about their sexual escapades than the '70's teens were. Laurie shows some concern for decency by instructing the class going on the field trip that alcohol and drugs won't be permitted. But, her son and his friends plan a "Roman orgy." There is some kissing and several of the teens steal liquor. Many people are gruesomely murdered and there is plenty of blood. The film incited the audience to violence in the press screening. They began to urge the characters to kill. With 25 f- and s-words, and 3 regular profanities, HALLOWEEN H2O follows it's predecessors. It delivers frightening violent images, sexual escapades and offensive language producing yet another objectionable film.

Preview Reviewer: Theresa Zumwalt
Distributor: Dimension Films/Miramx , 11 Beach Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013