Trick r' Treat
Sub-Genre- Supernatural
In Attendance- Me and Machine.
Cast Members of Note- Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, and Quinn Lord as Sam.
What's it About?-I'm not going to reveal too much of the plot here, because the story twists, turns, overlaps on itself, and comes together in the end, and It would be a shame to spoil it for you. Instead, I'll give you the official Warner Brother's synopsis to chew on:
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.
There's also an evil little trick-or-treater named Sam that is all over the place in this one, wearing his creepy little burlap mask and tricking those that refuse to give him treats. How is he connected to everyone else? Why is he so creepy? Does he like candy apples? I won't spoil the movie by telling you, but suffice it to say that he does like candy. And murder.
The Good- This movie was simply fantastic. I don't know that I've ever seen a movie that captured the spirit and atmosphere of Halloween this well, and it instantly becomes mandatory yearly watching for the creepy month of October. I hesitate to give a movie a 10/10 score, because to me that implies a sort of perfection, but after watching this movie, I had no other choice.
It's odd too; the whole movie has a very lighthearted feeling about it, while also giving us and air of true tension and fear throughout. I wasn't "sacred", but I definitely had moments where I was thoroughly creeped out. Creepy masked people standing and staring usually does that to me.
A fresh, imaginative, gorgeous, atmospheric, creepy little horror movie... isn't that a rarity these days for Hollywood? It's not a remake or sequel, nor is it a cookie cutter PG-13 Abercrombie ad looking snooze fest, and yet it works, and works very well. Maybe Hollywood should stop sticking movies like this on the shelf and release them. They can keep Saw XXI, we won't mind.
This movie has also given us an new all-time great horror icon in Sam, the creepy little costumed kid who may just be the physical manifestation of the spirit of Samhain. I hope we get to see more of him in other movies, or at least comic books or something; he was a truly awesome character.
The Bad- I wanted more that 82 minutes of this movie. The Blu-Ray has deleted scenes on it, but I want them in the movie! Aaah! Yes, I'm pouting.
The Downright Horrendous- I'd really like to know what possessed Warner Brothers to keep this one on the shelf for the better part of two years. Worse still, how could a Halloween flick this fun not get an October theatrical run? Not even a limited one? Hollywood politics really sucks sometimes, and I'm tired of the Horror genre suffering for it.
The Gory- There was a good deal of blood and nastiness sprinkled throughout this one. I'll stay mum on the specifics so as to preserve the fun of the kills for you, but I will say that candy can be dangerous.
The Naked- We get a quick boob or two here or there, but for the most part the sexy parts are sexy with no skin.
Best Line- "You gotta be fucking kidding me." or "My, my... what big eyes you have."
What did we learn?- Halloween is truly a creepy day. Also, don't chince on the candy.
Rating- A+ (10/10) This is truly a special movie that managed to live up to, and in some ways surpass the hype that has surrounded it for so long. I don't know if it's truly perfect, but I can say that it was a perfect Halloween movie going experience for me. I wish it had been longer, but aside from that, this is a fun, nasty little trip into the world of All Hallow's Eve that everyone needs to take for themselves.
Final Thoughts- I never get tired of seeing Anna Paquin. Also, what in the hell is that bear doing?
