Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982) ***1/2

Producers John Carpenter and Debra Hill and writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace decided to take a different approach with Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982)—instead of delivering another vehicle for that unstoppable boogeyman Michael Myers, they opted to make a Twilight Zone/Richard Mathesonesque comment on consumerism and the mindless nature of the American public. While the film bombed at the box office and Myers was reinstated 6 years later in the fourth film, HIII has gone on to become a cult classic with definite replay value. 

Wallace does a great job channeling the same dark but darkly funny tone, look and feel of Carpenter's late 70s/early 80s output—thanks in large part to the latter's frequent cinematographer Dean Cundey lensing this film as well. Tom Atkins is very Atkinsy here and somehow a sex magnet to every woman but his ex wife. Carpenter and Alan Howarth deliver some of their best collaborative, droning synth work. While the action is slowly paced and the way the story unfolds is fairly predictable, the creepy Invasion Of The Body Snatchers-like atmosphere and bleak climax make this one a winner. 

♫3 more days 'til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween...♫  

"And...Happy Halloween."