Okay, first of all forget parts 3-6 even existed.

Jamie Lee Curtis returns in this direct sequel to part two as Laurie Strode who while trying to forget and deal with the aftermath of what happened to her twenty years ago (as told in the first two parts) changes her name, has a teenage son and becomes the head of a private school. However she just can't shake the image of her murderous brother Michael and her fear becomes reality when on Halloween her sibling who wears the white William Shatner mask returns with revenge in mind.

One Hell of a step up after the often misguided and confusingly scripted part six this seventh installment benefits by having Curtis back in the fold and going back to its old fashioned slasher roots (whereas mood and suspense is placed above violent and bloody murders).

While it can't reach the heights of the original its still a highly entertaining time with director Miner (who is known to genre fans for Warlock and Friday The 13th 2 and 3) doing a good job of building a fairly tense mood and bringing some stylishness back to the franchise as well.

Curtis isn't bad and there's a lot of nifty moments that include the deaths of two young student lovers, Curtis' spazz out stabbing of Mikey and the fairly good finale.

Good sequel isn't really scary in my opinon, though all the screaming teenage girls in the audience would probably disagree with me, but it is a good time just don't expect the jokiness or violence of say a Scream or most modern slasher flicks.

Followed by Halloween:Resurrection.

Directed By: Steve Miner.
Written By: Matt Greenberg, Robert Zappia.

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, Josh Hartnett.