“What happens now?” is the lingering question at the end of most slashers. Halloween II sought to answer that question. Debuting three years after the world was first introduced to Michael Myers, Halloween II takes place directly after the events of the first, that same Halloween night. As far as sequels go, it’s a good effort. It takes a lot of what was good with the first one, touches it up, and tries to bring it to a new place. That said, there’s something a little less chilling to this one. Michael retains his unique and singular drive to kill Laurie (and anyone who gets in his way) but the kitchen knife is swapped out for needles, scalpels, and a hot tub. There’s still a lot of fun to be had here, and while it remains one of the best films in the series, it doesn’t quite rise to the levels of the first.
