Jamie Lee Curtis stars in the movie "Halloween." The Catholic News Service classification is O -- morally offensive. (CNS/Universal)

By Catholic News Service

Some interesting exposition exploring the long-term psychological effects on the heroine (Jamie Lee Curtis) of the eponymous 1978 slasher classic of her near-fatal encounter with masked madman Michael Myers (Nick Castle) during the first of his many blood-soaked rampages soon gives way to an orgy of gruesome and, in at least one instance, nauseating mayhem in this direct sequel to the long-ago kickoff.

What might have been a thoughtful study of the impact of evil across time and generations — both the original victim’s grown daughter (Judy Greer) and teen granddaughter (Andi Matichak) have had their relationships with her strained by her fears and apparent paranoia, while the psychiatrist (Haluk Bilginer) who has had charge of the captive killer for decades has become obsessed with him — instead reverts to the franchise’s default mode of reveling in wanton murder. The result, as directed and co-written by David Gordon Green, is a nasty bit of nostalgia patrons of taste will sensibly shun.

Excessive gory violence, drug use, brief upper female and partial nudity, a few uses of profanity, frequent rough and occasional crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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