Trick ‘r Treat

Rating:  

Directed By: Michael Dougherty

Starring: Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, Rochelle Aytes, Tahmoh Penikett

Plot Synopsis:

It is said that Halloween is the night when the dead rise to walk among us and other unspeakable things roam free. The rituals of All Hallows Eve were devised to protect us from their evil mischief, and one small town is about to be taught a terrifying lesson that some traditions are best not forgotten.

Nothing is what it seems when a suburban couple learns the dangers of blowing out a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight; four women cross paths with a costumed stalker at a local festival; a group of pranksters goes too far and discovers the horrifying truth buried in a local legend; and a cantankerous old hermit is visited by a strange trick-or-treater with a few bones to pick. Costumes and candy, ghouls and goblins, monsters and mayhem… the tricks and treats of Halloween turn deadly as strange creatures of every variety-human and otherwise-try to survive the scariest night of the year. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Review:

Huzzah! Halloween is closing in and after 3 years of waiting, Trick ‘r Treat has finally been released.  Although, it would have been nice if it had a theatrical release, I’m happy to have it in my Blu Ray player.  This is the definitive Halloween movie, destined to become traditional viewing in my house.

4 stories, 1 small Ohio town and all take place on Halloween night.  Like Creepshow, Trick ‘r Treat doesn’t have a main plot.  It is 4 distinct stories, but unlike Creepshow, these stories are seamlessly woven together.  Characters from other stories bump into each other, walk past the screen, we get glimpses of the other stories as they’re happening.  Trick ‘r Treat is the funnest and creepiest Halloween film to come out on a long long time.

Michael Dougherty has written and directed Trick ‘r Treat to perfection.  Until know, he’s been known as the individual who penned X2 and Superman Returns with Brian Singer.  I’m so glad he’s stepped out from behind a laptop to behind the camera, because Trick ‘r Treat shows some amazing promise.

From the stunning cinematography, to the use of practical effects, Trick ‘r Treat seems like a timeless movie already.  If CGI was used, it was sparingly and totally seamless.  To give more detail would mean to spoil the movie, go into this one fresh!

As far as acting goes, all the actors are really fun here.  But, of course the stand-outs are an unrecognizable Brian Cox, the brilliant Dylan Baker and the seemingly innocent (pre-True Blood) Anna Paquin.  Plus, it was nice seeing Battlestar Galactica’s Tahmoh Penikett in a small, but memorable role.

Finally, I’d like to talk about Sam.  He’s the burlap sack masked creepy kid that is seen between each story.  Trick ‘r Treat‘s Sam is a new horror icon.  We’re going to be seeing tattoos, costumes, posters and figurines of this little guy.  He’s awesome.

Do yourself a favor and BUY (ahem…the Blu Ray), don’t rent Trick ‘r Treat.  This deserves to be in your collection, and trust me, you’ll be re-visiting Trick ‘r Treat on a yearly (if not more) basis.  Michael Dougherty has crafted a Halloween classic.

Rated R for horror violence, some sexuality/nudity and language.

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