30 September Slashers: Day 6-HALLOWEEN 6: CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS-Producer’s Cut

Hey there fiends, for the sixth entry in 30 September Slashers I decided to do something different than the other days featured thus far.  I will be discussing a version of a film never commercially released, however, readily available on the internet or from about any dvd vendor at horror conventions.  If you’ve seen the theatrical version but haven’t seen this version, maybe this will help change your mind or at least peak you interest in seeing this long sought after version.  Get ready as we take a trip to Haddonfield for Day 6 with Halloween 6: Curse of Michael Myers the Producer’s Cut.

Day 6:  A Cut Above the Rest…….Halloween 6: Curse of Michael Myers-Producer’s Cut

When first released, Halloween 6, although trying to answer many questions pertaining to the Michael Myers mythos, often left fans confused and actually provoked more questions than answers.  Often times the films continuity is off, plot points are skimmed over, Dr. Loomis’ off screen ending was very confusing, and it feels as if the viewer is watching an incomplete film.  The Producer’s cut is often considered by fans, to be far superior to the theatrical cut and is said to be more complete version.  However, is the producer’s cut that much better and answer all of the questions that the fans are left wonder?  Well…sort of.

The plot as summed up as best as I can sees Jamie Lloyd(or Myers), whom we last saw being taken by the “Man in Black”(no, not Johnny Cash but that would have been an awesome twist), has just given birth to a baby and that baby is being pursued by Michael and some kind of organization that appears to be helping Mr. Myers.  In the meantime, Dr. Loomis, who is “very much retired”, comes to get to the bottom of Michael Myer’s return, meeting up with Tommy Doyle and the members of the Lloyd clan(who are living in the Myer’s old house) who uncover just why Michael does what he does.  What they find the legend of the Thorne, that is rooted in ancient history and is probably far more complicated than it needs to be.

While I have to give the writers credit for tackling such an ambitious story, I feel as if it was almost too complex for a Halloween film and the average horror film moviegoer. The producers cut is decidedly much better than the theatrical and answers much more questions than the latter.  For example, the lame ass ending of the original is explained and we see Dr. Loomis have a much more fitting end.  Also, the reasons Michael kills are explained more thoroughly and the film wraps the Jamie Lloyd three film arch, up nicely.

As for the actual merits of the film itself, the kills scenes are often creative and very rarely does Michael actually use his trademark butcher knife.  My favorite stalk and slash scene involves a victim running through close lines set up in a backyard and it is very well shot.  Donald Pleasence is great as usual as the somewhat psychotic Dr. Loomis but the lack of Danielle Harris reprising her role as Jamie Lloyd is surely missed.

For any Halloween fans out there I think this version is a must see, especially for fans of the 4-6 sequels.  The film probably would have fitted better as a graphic novel or a novel especially for fans but  the film works for what it is.  I think that the footage available in the producer’s cut is far too valuable to not be released.  While not being the most popular film in the franchise, the footage should be seen commercially by all that would like to see it. The studio should let fans judge for themselves, which is the better version.  I heard in a recent interview with one of the writers that they have been trying for years to get the producer’s cut released but that Dimension films is not budging on releasing the footage.  Hopefully they will change their minds someday and fans can finally put the legend of the Thorne to rest.  Tune in tomorrow, on day 7 of our slasher fest as we look at the film Tourist Trap.