I'll admit that I believe the film is lacking in some departments. The fact that it is a classic that ushered in so much from the genre helps make it impervious from criticism, but I still found a lack of creative scares and presence. Just because something is among the first, doesn't mean that it is the most inspired, for a lot of scenes, having Michael Myers pop up and stand, aimless, for several seconds, might help advance the narrative, but it is a trope that was classic even before the film came out. The cinematic score is one of the most memorable and distinctive in history, but, in some instances, I can't help thinking it feels tacked on last minute and unneeded in some scenes.
While I don't believe Halloween holds up on all accounts today, that should only be taken as a minor criticism. The characters are memorable, and the sheer mystery of his character is one of the character's best attributes. Halloween is a good film, and while I don't think it reaches the levels of greatness that its legacy might have you believe, I do think highly of it for paving the way for what has become one of my favorite genres.
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0