In Defense of Rob Zombie

I love Rob Zombie’s Halloween remakes. I know it’s an unpopular opinion among horror fans & that the only acceptable opinion is, “Fuck the Halloween remakes” or “Well, the first remake wasn’t terrible, but fuck the second remake & the original is far superior”, but I like to form my own visceral opinion when I watch a horror movie & not let the popular opinion guide me.

Like most people, I am wary when the classics are remade, but I remember reading in an interview that Rob Zombie said it’s nearly impossible to get an original script made into a film nowadays, that the studios want remakes. I found it both brave & creative of Zombie to take a classic & make it his own; to not mimic something that’s already been done, but tell the same story in a different way, that’s what makes a remake worthy of our time, otherwise we’re just watching something dull & lifeless, something wholly unnecessary because it has literally already been done. If I’m going to watch a remake, I want to see something unique & whether you enjoyed Zombie’s interpretation or not, it can’t be argued: it is nothing like the original. We’re presented with two vastly different versions of the same story & that is how you do a remake.

If offered both sets of films with the understanding that I am aware of the merits of both, I’m going to choose the remakes. In fact, I dislike the original Halloween 2 & thought Rob Zombie’s idea for a Halloween sequel was way more inspired. I watched it during a really emotional time in my life, so maybe I was just trying to connect with something, but both Suicideblonde & I loved it.

I do like the original Halloween. It’s a great spooky story, Jamie Lee Curtis is outstanding & the score fills me with a delicious dread. I grew up with the movie so, for nostalgia’s sake, I enjoy a re-watch, especially in the autumn. However, if I want to be truly frightened & watch a really meaty set of horror movies that are going to excite me, I’m going with Zombie.

 cross-posted to That Obscure Object