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Re-Watch Review – Halloween Classics: Halloweentown

Synopsis

When Grandma Aggie comes visiting, the Piper children notice her use magic. Curious, they follow her back to Halloweentown where Aggie and their mother Gwen are attacked by the dark forces. 

Cast 

Kimberly J. Brown…Marnie Piper

Debbie Reynolds…Aggie Cromwell

Joey Zimmerman…Dylan Piper

Emily Roeske…Sophie Piper

Judith Hoag…Gwen Piper

Phillip Van Dyke…Luke

Robin Thomas…Kalabar

Rino Romano…Benny

Best Character

There aren’t too many characters to choose from in this film, so I’m giving it to Sophie. She was always my favourite when I was younger, as she was the closest to my age, and I still love her character now. 

She’s definitely a stronger witch than Marnie and she proves it time and time again throughout the film.   

Best Supporting/Obscure Character 

How could I not mention the absolute legend that is Benny Bones. Everyone knows and loves Benny, he’s one of the best characters. We don’t like him when he’s evil though. 

As much as I love Benny I have to give best supporting character to the werewolf hairdresser. He is so quirky and I love that for him. Basically he’s Austin Powers if he was a werewolf and it’s both hilarious and highly entertaining. The moment where he gets a chunk of hair shaven off the back of his head, which he obviously can’t see, and says “This could be a good look for me” cracks me up every time. 

Favourite Scenes

Aggie’s arrival on the bus is as iconic as she is. I’ve always wondered how no one saw a huge flying bus in the sky but I suppose we mortals really are oblivious. 

I love the bus ride. It’s the first time you see the monsters from Halloweentown and it’s brilliant. The fact that they are having somewhat normal conversations really sells it for me. I love films where monsters are not seen as evil and having them talking about mundane things is so good. This scene also leads into your first viewing of Halloweentown and it is just magical. I want to live there. 

The montage where Marnie, Dylan, and Sophie are collecting the spell ingredients is my favourite part of the film. I don’t know why but I’ve always loved this part. It’s possibly because you get to meet more of Halloweentown’s quirky residents. 

Best Quotes/Lines 

MARNIE: Halloween is cool, nature boy.

This is probably the least cool comeback I’ve ever heard and that’s why it’s so funny. Marnie’s trying to bring Dylan down a peg when he slates Halloween but this comeback is just not it. 

AGGIE: Let’s put on our bikinis and go swimming in it.

I have seen this film at least 20 times and I have never noticed this line before. For context, she is talking about all of the sweets in her bag. It seems like a weird thing to put in a kid’s film, but studios are always doing stuff like that. 

MARNIE: I’m a wiccan.

SOPHIE: I’m a ghost.

DYLAN: I think I’m a big pimple.

The timing and delivery of Dylan’s line is possibly the funniest part of the film. 

AGGIE: My story’s about a magical place, where many different sorts of creatures live together in peace.

DYLAN: Like Cleveland? I hear they have a nice school district.

Why this line is hilarious to me I don’t know. I’m not even American so I have no idea what Cleveland is like. 

HARRIET: Doing some volunteer work down at the headless shelter. Poor dears. Care for a muffin? I baked ’em for the folks at the shelter. Didn’t occur to me they couldn’t eat them. No heads. Ha ha ha ha!

She really was unhinged from the get-go and I love that for her. Harriet is lowkey one of the best characters just for this scene alone. 

MARNIE: It’s not polite to stare.

DYLAN: Polite? Let’s talk about how illegal it is to drive with no eyeballs.

Dylan was always the character with the funniest lines and this one might just take the cake. He’s always so blunt and forward.

GHOST IN THE STEAM ROOM: WOo, is it gettin’ hot in here! Hades was nothing compared to this.

I love the casual mention of the underworld. Obviously, that probably isn’t something kids would understand so its fine, but it makes me giggle every time. 

MARNIE: Hey, Chocolate Bar! You better give that talisman back or you’re in big trouble.

I have no idea why she calls Kalabar ‘chocolate bar’ but it’s so funny. I suppose it kind of rhymes, but it’s so random and out of place that it makes me laugh every time. 

Most Iconic Outfit 

Halloweentown is set in the 90s so most of the outfits are iconic. The outfit Marnie wears in the beginning i.e the sheer yellow shirt is such a look. Also, let’s not forget the outfit she wears for the majority of the film. I remember wanting that outfit so bad when I was younger, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

Favourite Setting

Obviously, Halloweentown as a whole is very cool but I really love the ice cream shop. It’s a shame you don’t get to see the whole of it though. It’s only in the film for about 30 seconds but the aesthetics are so cool. 

Best Musical Moment

I love the slightly creepy music that opens the film. I’m not entirely sure why but I love creepy music, for someone with major anxiety I love being put on edge. It really makes no sense.

The Halloweentown theme is an absolute classic. It’s used in all four films and it fills me with pure love and nostalgia every time I hear it. 

Thoughts/Opinions That Don’t Fit Into A Specific Category 

It’s always annoyed me that Marnie’s mom lied to her about who she really is. I do get where she’s coming from but it’s such a huge lie.

Why is there a random dog in Halloweentown? This isn’t something I would usually say is weird, but there are residents living there that are dogs, so who’s keeping an actual dog?

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