4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Review: HALLOWEEN ENDS

Home » 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Review: HALLOWEEN ENDS

Dec 28, 2022 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

The final chapter in the latest Halloween trilogy, Halloween Ends, picks up 4 years after the events of Halloween Kills. Serial killer Michael Myers appears to have vanished without a trace, but with no known motive or meaning to his wave death and destruction, the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois has turned in onto itself. The people have descended into a plague of grief and paranoia, quickly blaming any new murder or death on the masked figure. People who lost loved ones during the events four years ago still blame Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) for poking the bear and instigating Myers’ return. However, Laurie has finally moved on, wanting to believe he’s finally gone. She’s had enough of being afraid and has decided to finally live and embrace life. She purchased a home where she has put down roots along with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak), and spends her days working on a book of her memoirs. She hopes that her book can help others to decide to no longer let the evil into their lives.

A young man named Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) soon enters the lives of the Strode women. Corey was an engineering student with a promising future, but three years ago there was a tragic accident while he was babysitting a boy on Halloween night. He abandoned his scholarly ambitions and now works at a junkyard fixing up cars. Corey still can’t walk down the street without someone calling him “psycho babysitter” or “kid killer”. And he’s constantly being harassed and bullied by some high school band students (who are apparently the cool kids in Haddonfield!). Allyson sees the good in Corey, and the two start up a relationship. She knows how unforgiving and hateful the people in this town can be. Laurie also feels a bit of a kinship to Corey, noting that she knows what it’s like having everyone looking at her thinking they know her, but they don’t. It looks like the Strode women are finally moving on with their lives, but nothing stays peaceful in Haddonfield, and it isn’t long before a new wave of violence and terror is unleashed on the town—and it will be up to Laurie to confront this evil that has been plaguing her for decades, once and for all.

I think most viewers will agree that Halloween Ends is the weakest entry of this latest Halloween trilogy story-wise. I can’t delve into specifics without giving spoilers, but for a Michael Myers movie, he’s not actually in it that much—there is a new masked evil that is unleashing its wrath on Haddonfield. I think this storyline would have worked a lot better in a film/trilogy of its own, without the burden of being a Michael Myers movie, let alone the final part of a trilogy. The storyline focuses way more on the characters of Corey and Allyson than on Laurie and Michael. If you cut out the kills, it would resemble more of a romantic drama rather than a horror movie. There are also elements of the way the new evil interacts with Michael that seem to just to come out of left field and don’t really fit in with what we’ve previously seen of this character.

While the main story of this third installment isn’t that compelling, there is still a lot of things to like about Halloween Ends. I’ve seen the film twice now, and while I don’t think the story gets any better the second time around, I did still fully enjoy the excellent, gruesome kills that rival those in the previous films. Some of these deaths are so creative and bloody. The final showdown between Laurie and Michael Myers is also very well done, bringing a raw, visceral and satisfying closure to the trilogy. The filmmakers have also strewn a lot of fun callbacks and homages to iconic moments from the previous films throughout the movie—this film even opens with a tense babysitting scene, just the the original 1978 movie.

Universal’s 4K Ultra HD release looks and sounds excellent and on par with the previous two films. The picture remains clean and clear, even in the darker scenes, of which there are many! The level of detail is excellent throughout. You can see the stubble and pores in closeups of faces, and every gory detail of the kills. The Dolby Vision color palette provides a noticeable difference when compared with the Blu-ray, such as the red and green glow at the bar where Corey and Allyson go for a party, or the red glow of the neon sign above the radio station. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack showcases the film’s creepy score, and provides an immersive experience—this is particularly noticeable in the bar scene, or when fire alarms go off in another scene, or just the general ambiance in some exterior shots.

The 4K Ultra HD release comes packed in standard UHD keepcase with a slipcover, and contains an insert with a code to redeem for a 4K Movies Anywhere digital copy of the film as well as a code for the Universal All-Access Rewards program. Both the 4K and the Blu-ray discs contain the same selection of bonus material—six deleted/extended scenes, a gag reel, a highly-entertaining audio commentary, and over 35 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast and crew.

What’s Included:

Film: (1:50:50)

2160p / Widescreen 2.39:1
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Blu-ray:

1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1
Audio: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, English DVS (Descriptive Video Service)
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Digital (code may not be valid after 1/31/2024):

4K Digital copy of the film redeemable via Movies Anywhere
Universal All-Access Rewards Code (Offer may not be valid after 9/30/2023)
Code can be redeemed for points towards a free digital movie via the Universal All-Access Rewards program. The selection of a dozen free digital titles usually changes around the first of the month.

Extras:

The same bonus material can be found on both discs. Play All, or select from:

Deleted and Extended Scenes (7:06)
Play All, or select from 6 deleted/extended scenes:
- Michael Shakes Things Up (2:24)
  Corey wakes up in the cave, fends off an attack from Michael, and tries to escape.
- Joan’s Bunny Slam (1:07)
  Laurie expresses her concerns about Corey with Joan. After Laurie leaves, Joan smashes a bunny figurine on the ground. Corey stares at Laurie from the window, Michael Myers style.
- Corey Reflects Upon Himself (:34)
  As Corey cleans blood off himself at the sink, he thinks about what just happened.
- Ronald’s Stuck at Work (:40)
  Ronald is watching a movie on his laptop, but when his wife calls, he tells her he will be late since he has so much work to do.
- Margo Gets the Boot (:34)
  The Shape stands over Margo and smashes her head with his boot.
- Joan’s Recipe for Disaster (1:44)
  Joan is watching a cooking show on TV, and gluing the rabbit back together, when The Shape arrives to kill her. Meanwhile, trick-or-treaters are at her front door, causing a ruckus because she’s not answering.
Final Girl (4:40)
The cast and filmmakers look back on the iconic character of Laurie, how she’s evolved, and the emotional state she’s is in this movie. They also discuss working with Jamie Lee Curtis, and the emotional goodbye to the character and actress. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, special make-up FX designer Christopher Nelson, first assistant director/co-producer Atilla Salih Yücer, co-writer Paul Brad Logan, executive producer Ryan Turek, production designer Richard A. Wright, and stars Jamie Lee Curtis (“Laurie”), Andi Matichak (“Allyson”), Rohan Campbell (“Corey”), Kyle Richards (“Lindsey”)
No Place Like Haddonfield (7:49)
The cast and filmmakers discuss the town of Haddonfield and its residents, focusing on Allyson for the final film, reuniting Lindsey and Laurie, the director’s style and method, the fun atmosphere on set, saying goodbye to the franchise, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, co-writer Paul Brad Logan, executive producer Ryan Turek, first assistant director/co-producer Atilla Salih Yücer, director of photography Michael Simmonds, special make-up FX designer Christopher Nelson, and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, Nick Castle (“Flasher”) & Rohan Campbell.
Gag Reel (2:45)
Laugh along with the cast and crew as they flub lines, curse, and have fun on set.
Ending Halloween (8:26)
The cast and crew talk about finding the right way to wrap up the trilogy, the demands from the fans, creating and choreographing the final showdown, keeping the story a secret, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, executive producer Ryan Turek, co-writer Paul Brad Logan, stunt coordinators Kevin Scott & Cory Demeyers, and stars Rohan Campbell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Nick Castle & James Jude Courtney (“The Shape”).
A Different Threat (5:43)
The cast and crew talk about finding a new and unexpected villain, Corey’s relationship with Allyson, Corey’s connection to Michael, working with Rohan Campbell, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, executive producer Ryan Turek, co-writer Paul Brad Logan, and stars Rohan Campbell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak & James Jude Courtney.
The Visions of Terror (5:47)
The cast and filmmakers discuss the visual style of the film, including the costume, Michael’s mask, the cave set, the radio station, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, executive producer Ryan Turek, co-writer Paul Brad Logan, costume designer Emily Gunshor, special make-up FX designer Christopher Nelson, production designer Richard A. Wright, director of photography Michael Simmonds, and star Jamie Lee Curtis.
Twisted Deaths (5:02)
Take a look at how some of the film’s twisted and gruesome kills were designed and executed, including the radio station and the junkyard. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with director/executive producer/co-writer David Gordon Green, special make-up FX designer Christopher Nelson, executive producer Ryan Turek, and stars Rohan Campbell, Keaun Harris (“Willie the Kid”) & Diana Prince (“Radio Receptionist”).
Feature Commentary (1:50:50)
Co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Andi Matichak & Rohan Campbell, co-producer/first assistant director Atilla Salih Yücer, and production assistant Hugo Garza provide a lively and informative commentary throughout the film. The participants share lots of fun and interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the production, while also discussing the story, characters and franchise as a whole.

Final Thoughts:

My Rating

Film:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Worth a Look

Halloween Ends provides some great kills, fun homages and callbacks, and ultimately a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, but the main character of Michael Myers is absent for much of the film. Instead, this final chapter chooses to primarily focus on a new character instead. Universal’s 4K release features excellent picture and sound, and includes a solid selection of bonus material. There’s no extended cut this time around, but there’s already plenty of blood and guts. Fans who enjoyed the previous installments of the trilogy should definitely check this out. The film is currently streaming on Peacock for those who wish to try before they buy.