John Carpenter’s 1978 Halloween set its mayhem in picturesque, small-town America. It was scary because the blood ran on familiar, seemingly innocent streets. This remake is directed by Rob Zombie, and as such is largely populated by the same cruel, foul hillbilly clowns he favored in previous efforts such as The Devil’s Rejects. This takes place not in Anytown U.S.A. but in the rings of a deranged circus. It trades insinuation for obviousness.
