It's definitely slow by modern standards. I think that's part of why I appreciate it so much. The music/score and how it's shot takes the place of all the normal blood and guts. Halloween 78 is not scary at all without the score... it takes the film to another level.I have said this before but I would have appreciated it more in 1978. I first watched it a few years ago and it was a slog.Just got done with Halloween (78). It's perfect. Everything about it is just perfect. The score builds the tension so well. It's just everything it needs to be.
Don't get me wrong I love gore and violence, but there is something about the simplicity of the original that just works for me.
I understand your POV though and can see how people can see it that way.