HALLOWEEN

Finally, Hollywood has made a good “Halloween” sequel. It took them only 40 years.

The new movie, called — what else? — “Halloween,” is a return to form. It brings back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode for the first time since 2002’s “Halloween: Resurrection.” And Nick Castle, the original Michael Myers, dons the serial killer’s mask for only his second film ever.

The first step toward improving the series? Pretend the past four decades didn’t happen. This film is a direct follow-up to the original. Step 2: Kill off Laurie the Victim, and replace her with Laurie the Conquerer. Where once she was the plucky teen survivor, now Laurie is a truly formidable opponent for Michael Myers.

Forty years after the Babysitter Murders, Michael is about to be transferred to a nearby new prison. He escapes, of course. Laurie, meanwhile, is locked and loaded. She has spent every waking moment learning how to protect herself from her mouth-breather nemesis and eventually bring him down.

Has the little town of Haddonfield learned from its corpse-covered past? No way! The citizenry is dumber than ever, seeking refuge in the upstairs bedroom closet, and responding to every loud household thump with “Oh, it’s nothing.” Cause of death: stupidity.

Director David Gordon Green understands the ’Ween-o-verse and builds suspense well, earning his many scares. There’s a lot of gore, but it’s cleverly done. Curtis is more intense and badass than ever, and acts the hell out of this part. Performances in this genre don’t come any better. Running time: 109 minutes. Rated R (violence, language and nudity). Now playing. For the full review, go to NYPost.com.