Horror Movie Reviews

Movie: Trick `r Treat Year: 2007 Studio: Legendary Pictures Director: Michael Dougherty Language: English Length: 82 Minutes Sub-Genre: Thriller, Horror Anthology

Plot: Four mini tales surround a school principal who’s involved in macabre extra-curricular activities, a few kids who have devised a cruel prank, four attractive young women who are looking for a good time, and a crotchety old man whose disposition may have something to do with a dark secret from his past. And then there’s Sam, a creepy little character who’s a common thread that runs through all the stories and is the mascot of “Trick `r Treat.”

Review: Alfred Hitchcock once described a scenario involving a bomb under a table. He said if we don’t know the bomb is under the table and it explodes, we are surprised; whereas, if we know the bomb is under the table — but not when it will detonate — that’s suspense.

Michael Dougherty wrote and directed this neat little film called “Trick `r Treat” (2007), which is a throwback to the 1980s horror anthology that employs both surprise and suspense. “Trick `r Treat” has many comedic elements and it’s a tiny bit creepy, as well. It also has some genuinely disturbing aspects that involve children. Above all, “Trick `r Treat” is a cinematic celebration of Halloween.

The enjoyment of this movie comes from its four interwoven stories that transpire on Halloween night in a small, Ohio town called Warren Valley. Doughtery plays with the narrative structure of the film and rearranges the timeline of events, so the horror stories overlap and dovetail with one another. Though this may sound confusing, it’s actually quite delightful — a strange word, I know, to describe a horror film. The director also plays with our expectations, providing us with frequent twists.

Mike Dougherty is known for his screenplays for the impressive “X2″ (2003) and the disappointing “Superman Returns” (2006). But in 1996, he wrote, directed and produced an animated short film called “Season’s Greetings,” which features his character Sam, and serves as the inspiration for this feature film. (By the way, “Season’s Greetings” can be viewed as a special feature on the “Trick `r Treat” DVD.)

“Trick `r Treat” doesn’t try to shock us with depictions of torture or gore (though it has a little gore). This film surprises us with troubling twists that are delivered after seeds of suspense have been sown, and the result is a little, haunting treasure that’s impossible to describe without using the word “fun.”

“Trick `r Treat” is a must-own film that should be a part of every horrorphile’s collection and, as far as I’m concerned, is required viewing every year around Halloween. Indeed, I predict that “Trick `r Treat” will be to Halloween as “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) is to Christmas. Or, at least, it should be.

Reviewer: Jay of the Dead Date: 10/15/2011 Rating: 8.5/10 Recommendation: Buy it!

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