Oct 19 2009
Trick ‘r’ Treat - Movie Review
Tim Falletti
Writer/Director Michael Dougherty gets it. Instead of the typical Halloween movie nonsense we seem to get each year (cough Saw cough), Dougherty gives us a throwback of sorts to a simpler time where “horror” movies could be fun, exciting, and thrilling. With respect to the source material of Halloween in general, Trick ‘r’ Treat is less ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ and more ‘Creepshow’ . Trick ‘r’ Treat is an anthology film which will one day rival the original ‘Halloween’ as must see viewing on the holiday.
Trick ‘r’ Treat’s story is straight and to the point. In a small Ohio town, the Halloween holiday is celebrated with enthusiasm that rivals Christmas across the rest of the nation. During this one night, anything can happen, and in this film it does. There are four different stories in this movie; all of which intertwine with each other at some point in the movie. For example, early in the movie a punk pre-teen kid is seen knocking over pumpkins and ruining them. Later, we see teens who need these pumpkins for a reason I would rather not spoil. If you pay close attention during the movie, you will see other characters and bits and pieces of their story that are more easter eggs than anything, but all the while still engaging. The four stories: The Principal, The Surprise Party, The Halloween School Bus Massacre, and Meet Sam, all have their strengths and weaknesses but all four will leave you wanting more. The movie stars Anna Paquin (pre Tru Blood), Dylan Baker, Brian Cox, and Leslie Bibb. It’s rated R for violence and sexuality.
If you get this movie at your local video store or Netflix, I must put this warning out: It’s really not a ’scary’ movie. It’s a Halloween movie. There is a difference. As Tales from the Crypt was to HBO, this movie is to DVD. There will be more laughter than screams and more “a-ha” moments than deaths. (There are deaths though…lots of them.) Trick ‘r’ Treat is a great Halloween movie that deserves to be rented this year. It will definitely be on my top 10 list at the end of the year even though technically it was released in 2008. (Warner Bros foolishly never distributed this movie to theatres. Why? I have no clue, it would have made millions).
