The difference between the one in 1981 with Jamie Lee Curtis and the one now with Scout Taylor Compton as Laurie Strode, I love the storyline its excellent, it tells the story from both sides from Michael and Laurie's mind, Laurie is haunted from the events that happened 2 years ago, and now shes starting to realize that she is really Michael Myers sister. This one is better than the original version.
Since there were three franchises of this series, out of all four, the first one started it all, i should say the fourth was the second best along with the first.