(SPOILERS) I recently watched this film again for the first time in at least ten years. For me, PUMPKINHEAD's merit is derived not from the stalk-and-chase finale, but from the intense, emotional opening act, in which the screenwriter takes time to develop an affecting father-son relationship, only to have it destroyed in a split-second by an unfortunate accident. I honestly felt for Henriksen's character because I understood the deep loss he had to endure. I will never forget the intense look of hurt and rage that flashes across the face as he's carrying his dead son into the store. The teenagers' guilt and helplessness also was very palpable and intense for me.
Although I appreciated the mood & atmosphere, as well as the folklore/myth aspect of PUMPKINHEAD, I think the second half of the film, in which the kids are stalked by the beast, is less interesting and definitely less effective. The stylistic lighting and sometimes disjointed murder scenes, in which you can never quite tell what's happening (Pumpkinhead seems to scurry and fly around at will), were an admirable approach-- but I never forgot that I was watching a MOVIE. I almost wished for a more naturalistic approach, like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, for instance. (But that's just my opinion.) I also was impressed by Pumpkinhead's script, it's actually very well-structured and one seemingly minor character ends up playing an important role in the story. And like I said, Henriksen gives one of the horror genre's best performances- I'll never forget the scene in his truck when he thinks his son has come back from the dead. 7/10
Although I appreciated the mood & atmosphere, as well as the folklore/myth aspect of PUMPKINHEAD, I think the second half of the film, in which the kids are stalked by the beast, is less interesting and definitely less effective. The stylistic lighting and sometimes disjointed murder scenes, in which you can never quite tell what's happening (Pumpkinhead seems to scurry and fly around at will), were an admirable approach-- but I never forgot that I was watching a MOVIE. I almost wished for a more naturalistic approach, like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, for instance. (But that's just my opinion.) I also was impressed by Pumpkinhead's script, it's actually very well-structured and one seemingly minor character ends up playing an important role in the story. And like I said, Henriksen gives one of the horror genre's best performances- I'll never forget the scene in his truck when he thinks his son has come back from the dead. 7/10