...isn?t so much a horror film as a biopic, and a superb one at that. The life and times of a fictional monster may not be as respectable a subject as a historical monster like, say, Idi Amin or Truman Capote, but Zombie?s portrait is every bit as reverent, scrupulous, and deeply felt as any Oscar-grubbing horrorshow.

—Nathan Lee LA Weekly

...isn?t so much a horror film as a biopic, and a superb one at that. The life and times of a fictional monster may not be as respectable a subject as a historical monster like, say, Idi Amin or Truman Capote, but Zombie?s portrait is every bit as reverent, scrupulous, and deeply felt as any Oscar-grubbing horrorshow.

—Nathan Lee Village Voice

...Zombie delivers a scary horror movie immediately recognizable as his own -- something that will come as a welcome relief to fans who've diligently sat through seven Halloween sequels in hopes of one day reliving the original's terrifying magic.

—Ken Fox TV Guide

...a real, classic-style horror movie, not an exercise in gross special effects.

—Paul Semel Premiere

...a reverently ''ambitious'' remake...

—Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly

...clever...

—Tasha Robinson Los Angeles Times

That one can rationalize Zombie's decision to focus his redo -- well, the first half anyway -- on Myers's upbringing doesn't, however, mean that such a strategy is wise, or that it works.

—Nick Schager Slant Magazine

Instead of trampling over the original, he [Zombie] builds on it and creates an homage that should motivate the new generation of horror fans to seek out John Carpenter's original with the respect and excitement it still deserves.

—Jason Morgan filmcritic.com

This latest unsuccessful stab at Carpenter's masterwork just proves that the original Halloween is as unbeatable as its masked leading man.

—Steven Hyden Onion AV Club

...neither the blasphemous affront hardcore fans have feared nor the flat-out masterpiece one might have hoped for from one of modern horror's most distinctive talents.

—Jim Hemphill Reel

...has sympathy for the Devil, but not enough.

—Matt Zoller Seitz New York Times

...has no tension or soul.

—Misha Davenport Chicago Sun-Times

...Zombie's stylistic touches and graphic treatment of the murders just aren't enough to keep your interest in a story that's been told at least four times too many already. Expect this Labor Day weekend release to be on its way to your local Blockbuster by October 31!

—Pete Hammond Maxim

Sadly, writer-director Rob Zombie decided to come up with his own plans, revealing himself to be no great architect in the process.

—Alex Markerson E!

...barely capitalizes on the dread of the October holiday. It would be no less scary if it took place on Flag Day.

—Matt Pais Chicago Tribune