 Tagline: If you don't follow the rules tonight, you won't live to see tomorrow. A creepy, darkly comic celebration of the scariest night of the year from producer Bryan Singer (director of X-Men and Superman Return) and writer-director Michael Dougherty (co-scripter of X2 and Superman Returns). Trick 'R Treat takes the Creepshow/Tales from the Crypt approach to nefarious new depths with four interwoven tales set on Halloween night: a high school principal (Dylan Baker) moonlights as a vicious serial killer; the quest of a young virgin (Anna Paquin) for that special someone takes a gruesome turn; a group of teens carries out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences; and a cantankerous old man (Brian Cos) battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon. Storyline: Five interwoven stories that occur on the same block, on the same night. A couple finds what happens when they blow a jack o' lantern out before midnight, a high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer, a college virgin might have met the right guy for her, a group of mean teens play a prank that they take too far, and a hermit is visited by a special trick or treater. Written by Harrypotterfan639 Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown on October 8, 2009 -- Like a thief in the night, someone... something snuck into our cinematic home and snuffed the life out of the Horror Anthology. With a proud heritage that traces back hundreds of years -- before Stephen King brought us super flus and dark towers; before "The Twilight Zone" became the stuff of post-World War nightmares; before Nosferatu and Frankenstein settled into our silver-screen consciousness; even before Lovecraft, Poe, and the pioneers of all things chilling and unworldly began exploring the night -- horror anthologies reached their peak in the late twentieth century with a slew of bloody films and macabre television series aimed at the burgeoning terrorphiles and gorehounds among us. But then, without warning, the genre collapsed. Filmmakers suddenly abandoned anything resembling Creepshow and its ilk. Network executives gave up on series like "Tales from the Crypt" and movies like Trilogy of Terror. And horror fans? We sat idly by and let it all happen. Luckily, industry upstarts like first-time director Michael Dougherty didn't forget how wicked and wonderful a horror anthology could be. After a brief but classy throwback to '70s horror (featuring Battlestar vet Tahmoh Penikett and Midnight Meat Train's Leslie Bibb) presents the first of six loosely interconnected stories, Trick 'r Treat begins the long process of startling, scaring, and satisfying. We're introduced to a vicious principal (Dylan Baker) who preys on his students and other innocents of the night; a father who eventually turns his murderous gaze toward his own son. We meet a pack of party-bound girls (including True Blood's Anna Paquin and CSI's Lauren Lee Smith) who get more than they bargain for when one of their dates turns out to be a killer. We follow a group of wide-eyed adolescents (Britt McKillip, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Isabelle Deluce, Alberto Ghisi, and Samm Todd) to the bottom of a quarry where a bus driver once did the unthinkable. We get to see the bus driver's misdeeds unfold as well; misdeeds that ended with the tragic deaths of eight children. Finally, we watch as a strange creature -- a burlap hooded runt dubbed Sam (Quinn Lord) -- pays a visit to an old man (Brian Cox) who despises Halloween. Each story features a twist, a well-crafted turn that comes as a legitimate surprise, and each segment overlaps with the next. While Dougherty's structure produces some unintended tonal inconsistencies (more on that in a bit), his first feature is a remarkable one. Far from the campy, coddled fun that's cursed other horror anthologies, Trick 'r Treat benefits from a sharp and serrated mean-streak that revels in the unmasking of its creatures of the night. Iconic beasties, misguided killers, and unrepentant demons are just the beginning as a single town becomes the unwitting target of a supernatural guardian of Halloween's ancient traditions. Along the way, Dougherty infuses his stories with an admittedly infectious sense of humor an a healthy respect for his genre forefathers. His script is smart and snazzy, his eye for the grim and ghastly marks the emergence of a visionary, and his wit and sleight-of-hand is a welcome addition to what could have been dull, derivative schlock. The fact that his film was delayed multiple times and denied a proper theatrical release is a tragedy. The unpredictable nature of his vignettes and the confidence he exhibits behind the camera deserve as much; the overwhelmingly positive reaction viewers have had to the film's wares should have earned it the full support of the studio. Alas, horror anthologies aren't the marketable showcase pieces they once were. There are a few problems. Baker's segment is weaker than the rest, prioritizing humor to such a degree that the story's initial payoff is a slight letdown; Paquin's tale struggles to pick up steam (although it's much, much, much better the second time around); Penikett and Bibb's Where's Waldo appearances wear out their welcome; and Sam's role in the various vignettes is a bit too ambiguous. That being said, newcomers should give Trick 'r Treat two passes before passing judgment. Dougherty didn't simply insert his twists at random, nor did he rely on them to make or break his tales. Instead, each twist is a logical extension of everything that's come before it. Reveals elicit grins rather than groans, and several surprises leave a lasting impression. It helps that every performance is a strong one, every scene matters and, at just 82 minutes, no shot or plot development overstays its welcome. The film isn't quite the unforgettable instaclassic some have declared it to be -- comparing Trick 'r Treat to Pulp Fiction is a stretch (unless a nonlinear script automatically qualifies a film for such high praise) -- but it's in an entirely different league than the vast majority of misguided messes currently littering every corner of the genre. Ultimately, Trick 'r Treat is a fun, entertaining, oft-times mesmerizing dose of horror that deserves the rampant accolades it's received over the last year. It's just a shame it wasn't released theatrically. With Saw VI bound for thousands of screens across the country and scripts for seventeen more waiting patiently on a studio computer somewhere, I imagine a fresh treat like Dougherty's film -- especially one that's already earned a cult following on the internet -- would have easily turned a profit at the box office. Ah well, here's hoping a sequel is already in the works. If you haven't had the opportunity to partake of Trick 'r Treat's anthology of terrific tales, there's no better time than the present. The Blu-ray edition features an excellent video transfer, a quality TrueHD lossless audio track, and a decent collection of supplements (including a variety of exclusives). Between Dougherty's commendable efforts and Sam Raimi's recent homecoming, things are looking up for the horror genre. Cast Notes: Dylan Baker (Steven), Rochelle Aytes (Maria), Quinn Lord (Sam / Peeping Tommy), Lauren Lee Smith (Danielle), Moneca Delain (Janet), Tahmoh Penikett (Henry), Brett Kelly (Charlie), Britt McKillip (Macy), Isabelle Deluce (Sara), Jean-Luc Bilodeau (Schrader), Alberto Ghisi (Chip), Samm Todd (Rhonda), Anna Paquin (Laurie), Brian Cox (Mr. Kreeg), Leslie Bibb (Emma). User Comment: Anthony Arrigo from United States, 11 October 2008 • Ah, Halloween… my favorite time of the year. It isn't so much the festivities taking place that excites me as it's the feeling in the air once October comes. That palpable sensation you get seeing jack-o-lanterns grimly lit faces, kids trick-or-treating in the streets and the aesthetics of fall surrounding you slowly giving way to winter. I think it must hold a special place in everyone, if for nothing else but purely nostalgic reasons. Mike Dougherty is certainly one of those people, as is evidenced by his incredible horror anthology Trick 'r Treat. For a holiday that revels in films of a horrific nature, there sure are a scant few of them that take place on the actual day itself. Dougherty's film is the celluloid embodiment of that je ne sais quoi that has made Halloween such an alluring holiday for generations of kids (and adults) alike. As I said, Trick 'r Treat is a horror anthology which interweaves tales that all take place on Halloween night, similar to such genre classics as Creepshow and Tales from the Darkside. A costumed couple learns to respect tradition… the hard way, a group of girls head out into the woods for a "howling" good party, the local school principal has a (literal) taste for blood, four kids attempting to pull off a holiday "trick" end up becoming "treats", and a cantankerous old man gets a visit from a holiday visitor looking to settle a decades-old grudge. To say anymore than that would spoil the fun in watching the film, as these stories are best digested when viewed on an empty mind. The twists are less predictable than most horror films manage these days; half the fun is wondering just where the hell these characters are going to end up. The one constant throughout the film is a costumed, pint-sized little guy named Sam, who does his best to remind people why they should take great care in adhering to the traditions set forth hundreds of years ago for All Hallows Eve. The film is richly seeped in tradition, reminding the audience of just why we celebrate the fabled holiday in the first place. It manages to be effectively creepy and blood-soaked, yet it never goes over-the-top with gratuitous gore. There is also a very obvious helping of black comedy strewn throughout the film, which thankfully never gives way to the self-parody so many horror films feel the need to indulge in. I think the most impressive aspect of this film is the incredible attention that has been paid to detail. Every single shot of the film is beautifully framed and composed, often looking more like a cryptic painting than a frame of film. The austere trappings of Mr. Kreeg's dark house, the ghostly palette of the rock quarry, the incredible shape-shifting sequence around a roaring fire in the woods… everything here is gorgeous. That aesthetic, married with the spot-on performances and realistic dialogue, give the film an organic feel that never relies on cheese or parody to break tension. The cinematography by Glen MacPherson (who also shot this year's incredibly brutal Rambo) is so lush it manages to make you feel like you're a part of the celebration. For someone who is as big a fan of the Halloween holiday as I am, this was especially important to see done right. Too often when a film actually does take place on the holiday it lacks the depth that is presented here. For such a large ensemble cast, there isn't any one performance that stands out above the rest – everyone here is perfectly cast. I even enjoyed Anna Paquin as the "virgin" of the female group, and she's not always someone I'm crazy about. Perhaps my favorite role is that of Mr. Kreeg, played superbly by veteran character actor Brian Cox. His look was inspired directly from my favorite director, John Carpenter, and there are a couple of well-placed nods to his work that were highly amusing. Also providing great support throughout the film is newcomer Quinn Lord who plays Sam, the little sack-headed minion who "stiches" the film's stories together. OK, now here's the biggest problem with the film; the 800 lb. gorilla in the room: there is NO set distribution deal lined up. I was lucky enough to see it at the sold-out opening night screening held at Grauman's Chinese Theater for Screamfest 2008. During the post-film q&a session Mr. Dougherty informed us that he had no idea what the future held for this film. It was set to be released in Oct. 2007 (?!?), then it was pushed back to Feb. 2008, Oct. 2008 and, finally, has been placed on the shelf indefinitely. I'm thankful that Dougherty got some good studio money to make the film to his exact specifications, but, for the love of all things evil, someone at Warner Bros. needs to get this thing out to the masses! I heard rumblings of a direct-to-DVD release date sometime next year, to which I can only say that would be a travesty for something this genuine and unique. I suppose therein lies some of the problem; since this is generally uncharted territory, the studios are clueless as to how they can market the thing. I can understand some of their hesitation (since a good majority of the film features children either killing or being killed), but there's just no excuse to not give this thing some kind of release – and with an October 2008 release out of the question I don't when they could give it a proper release. This is a film that needs to be seen during the month of October, but it's looking like 2009 is the next likely candidate if that were the case. I just don't want to see this film become the cinematic equivalent to the eternally-gestating Guns N' Roses opus Chinese Democracy (which, oddly enough, actually has a release date… for now). Summary: How can a film this good be sitting on the shelf for so long? User Comment: J D from United States, 9 June 2009 • Before anyone cries foul over my statement that TRICK 'R TREAT is the single best Halloween-themed movie ever made, allow me to back up the statement. While 1978's HALLOWEEN is a masterful, amazing thriller that truly has no equal in the horror genre, TRICK 'R TREAT is something wonderfully different. Its a movie that IS Halloween. Whereas Carpenter's classic is set during the holiday and it plays heavily into the plot, the film could (arguably) be set on any other night and be just as frightening. TRICK 'R TREAT hinges completely on All Hallow's Eve, taking every spooky childhood memory its viewers have about the holiday and mashing them into a gleeful, creepy anthology of tales that are somehow both genuinely chilling and nostalgically beautiful. Try as I might, I cannot think of a film more deserving of a 10/10 rating than TRICK 'R TREAT. Writer/director Michael Dougherty has crafted a film that transformed me into a five-year-old child in a Dracula cape and plastic fangs, riveted in stunned horror as his vision played out before me. Somehow, it succeeds in being both terrifying and charming, like a dark old painting that still reminds you of home. TRICK 'R TREAT's story unfolds unlike a traditional anthology picture, with all of the movie's separate plots taking place together. We're not subjected to title cards or stunted intermissions between tales, but a seamless mix of Halloween hijinx and horrors. In its five overlapping stories, a couple discovers what happens when they blow out a jack o' lantern before midnight, a bullying child learns to check his candy before eating it, a young woman is stalked by a hooded stranger at a harvest festival, a group of pranksters uncover the ghoulish truth about a local urban legend, and an elderly Scrooge is visited by a pint-sized hellion who is far more interested in tricks than treats. Buffeted by wonderful performances from Oscar winner Anna Paquin, Emmy winner Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, and Battlestar Galactica's Tahmoh Penikett, TRICK 'R TREAT is the one and only genre film to have been released in the past decade that is already one of my all-time favorites. When its done, you'll feel sorry for the works of Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino, because TRICK 'R TREAT has taken the best of these auteurs, blended them with ten pounds of candy corn and razor blades, and shoveled the whole mess down your throat. TRICK 'R TREAT may not just be the best Halloween-themed movie ever made, but the finest example of horror cinema in decades. Summary: The BEST Halloween-themed movie ever made. User Comment: (beastlysk8ter@yahoo.com) from United States, 28 September 2009 • People keep bashing this movie for the wrong reasons. If your somebody reading reviews that say "one of the best horror movies" that doesn't mean it's scary or gory. This movie is an amazing horror film, but keep in mind that it isn't that scary and nor does it try to be. The reason it's good is, because it truly captures the essence of Halloween. It's all about being a kid on Halloween and hearing urban legends, and following Halloween traditions. On top of that the effects look great. There's no CGI at all, and it makes the movie more authentic. The setting also helps. It feels like a real neighborhood that just happens to get supernatural events on Halloween. The only people who I could see hating this movie are torture porn addicts, and people who had no Halloween childhood. For the rest of us who love Halloween, and love horror films then make sure to see this movie. Summary: Not Scary. Still Amazing. User Comment: Zombie-Flesh-Eater (booperkins@aol.com) from United Kingdom, Colchester., 30 August 2009 • I saw Trick 'r Treat last night as part of FRIGHTEST in Leicester Square, all I need to say is it had a round of applause at the end (which does'nt usually happen in the UK), and it wasn't down to the fact that Michael Dougherty was there! I have seen thousands of horror films and T'r T is undoubtedly one of the best films I have ever seen. From the moment it started I got the feeling I was going to like it, you can tell it had a fair amount of money chucked it's way, the set looks fantastic. This is going straight to DVD in October, with no theatrical run (it was made in 2007)...Unbelievable! From the acting to the effects to the direction - the whole thing is just masterful. The film itself basically is set on Halloween, and a bunch of stories interweave into one in a very clever way, it is sort of like the CREEPSHOW films but each story is'nt standalone, they are all going on at the same time and come together at the end. I did'nt know to much when I went into it, and I think it's the best way because there are a bundle of great surprises littered throughout! It makes me wonder how a movie like Prom Night remake and the coulntless SAW films get a Theatrical Run and a film as awesome as this just gets shelved and disregarded. A true masterpiece by any admission, and sure to be INSTANT CLASSIC! Summary: It's Going To Be A Halloween Tradition. Trivia:
IMDb Rating (06/03/01): 6.2/10 from 4,206 users
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