(mini-review)I wish I had the time to write an essay about this film, but a measly mini-review will have to suffice. Trick 'r Treat has restored my faith in the current state of horror. It was such a relief to watch a "new release" that didn't bother with hokey, back-number shaky cam footage or CGI ghost children. By God, this is a real horror film. Not only that...it's an anthology! The obvious comparisons to Creepshow (one of my favorite films of all time) are well-founded. Treat is droll, stylish, sick in the head, and most importantly, fun. I'm calling it; in 25 years, there will be a remake, only after 50 DVD reissues and gobs of merchandise have bedecked the shelves of every genre junkie on the planet.
I don't want to touch on plot specifics, for it's best to go in fresh. I will mention the clever way that all four stories are reticulated like a python dressed up as the Lament Configuration. It's essentially the Pulp Fiction of fright flicks. The structure of the script kept the pace from dying down. There are no dull moments to speak of. Each segment skips along with the energy of a trick-or-treater on a sugar rush. Michael Dougherty's direction is superb. The fall colors are gorgeous, the atmosphere is spooky, and again, the camera doesn't spazz out during the death sequences. I can't stress how much I appreciate a horror film with sturdy camerawork.
Treat boasts comedic undertones that comfortably mix with the horror elements. The sardonic humor accents the grave nature of the storylines, and I actually laughed out loud at a few of the jokes. As with most anthologies, it's hard to get attached to any of the characters because there are so many of them. That's the only conceivable shortcoming I can dream up, and it's the only thing that advises me against assigning a perfect rating to Trick 'r Treat. Man, why can't every month be October? And why wasn't this soon-to-be classic given a wide theatrical release?
I don't want to touch on plot specifics, for it's best to go in fresh. I will mention the clever way that all four stories are reticulated like a python dressed up as the Lament Configuration. It's essentially the Pulp Fiction of fright flicks. The structure of the script kept the pace from dying down. There are no dull moments to speak of. Each segment skips along with the energy of a trick-or-treater on a sugar rush. Michael Dougherty's direction is superb. The fall colors are gorgeous, the atmosphere is spooky, and again, the camera doesn't spazz out during the death sequences. I can't stress how much I appreciate a horror film with sturdy camerawork.
Treat boasts comedic undertones that comfortably mix with the horror elements. The sardonic humor accents the grave nature of the storylines, and I actually laughed out loud at a few of the jokes. As with most anthologies, it's hard to get attached to any of the characters because there are so many of them. That's the only conceivable shortcoming I can dream up, and it's the only thing that advises me against assigning a perfect rating to Trick 'r Treat. Man, why can't every month be October? And why wasn't this soon-to-be classic given a wide theatrical release?
Told you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. This is the movie people should be watching instead of the hugely over rated 'Paranormal Activity'.
ReplyDeleteI wasnt a big fan of the werewolves on this movie, they looked too fake. And considering our modern day and age, and the budget of this film, they shoulda made more realistic looking werwolves.
ReplyDeleteBut I liked the complete Halloween aura the film has! Its like Tim Burtons neighborhood in there, every conceivable Halloween decoration...loved it.
My favorite story was the one with the Halloween version of Mr. Scrooge, and he gets visited by the "ghost of halloween" I guess you could call it.