John Carpenter’s follow-up to “Halloween” isn’t as strong as his seminal predecessor, but it similarly nails the perfect horror movie atmosphere for a late night or Halloween viewing. Here, Carpenter makes extraordinary use of the secluded island setting, and manages to extract a tremendous amount of suspense and mood from a number of sources all at once – the music is typically terrific and instantly memorable, the acting is strong while the characters are likable, and the entire movie movies at a brisk pace and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Mind you, there are a few weak touches here and there, including the admittedly underwhelming climax, but getting there, “The Fog” manages to be one of the most memorable, spooky and likable horror movies of the 1980s.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
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