As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the horror genre, I can safely say that I (along with legions of fellow fans) have waited in AGONY for two years over the release of Michael Dougherty's debut feature.
But, despite strong feedback from test screenings and film festivals, one had to wonder... What was keeping Warner Bros. from releasing the film? I mean, the theaters have been flooded with remakes and sequels and "Saw" movies consistently, and could "Trick 'r Treat" really not compete with them? And, even if the movie WAS released, would it live up to the hype that Warners had involuntarily created? Well, the movie has finally arrived to us... and it is a beast. A delicious, twisted, gleeful anthology, with the the four plot lines seamlessly interwoven. Connecting them all is the instantly iconic figure of Sam. This little guy, wearing nothing more than a scarecrow costume and a potato sack over his head, is the stuff nightmares are made of. For my money, he is Halloween's answer to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
The screenplay is fresh and surprising, the pace is brisk, the tone is morbidly charming, and the cast is remarkably solid (Dylan Baker and Brian Cox are standouts). The film also features the kind of immaculate detail and thick autumnal atmosphere that any fan of cinema would appreciate, let alone the horror genre.
On top of that, the movie is scary. Really. Not in a deep, troubling "The Exorcist" way, but is reminiscent of the friendly shiver you get when being told a ghost story around a campfire. Doughterty's affection (obsession?) for the holiday is apparent in every last frame, with pumpkins, candy, shadows, foliage, and costumes being beautifully incorporated into the film's overall mood.
Mischief, mayhem, and gore are all over this cracked-out little gem, guaranteed to be a classic of the horror genre, not to mention an addition to my annual list of required viewing for October 31st.
But, despite strong feedback from test screenings and film festivals, one had to wonder... What was keeping Warner Bros. from releasing the film? I mean, the theaters have been flooded with remakes and sequels and "Saw" movies consistently, and could "Trick 'r Treat" really not compete with them? And, even if the movie WAS released, would it live up to the hype that Warners had involuntarily created? Well, the movie has finally arrived to us... and it is a beast. A delicious, twisted, gleeful anthology, with the the four plot lines seamlessly interwoven. Connecting them all is the instantly iconic figure of Sam. This little guy, wearing nothing more than a scarecrow costume and a potato sack over his head, is the stuff nightmares are made of. For my money, he is Halloween's answer to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
The screenplay is fresh and surprising, the pace is brisk, the tone is morbidly charming, and the cast is remarkably solid (Dylan Baker and Brian Cox are standouts). The film also features the kind of immaculate detail and thick autumnal atmosphere that any fan of cinema would appreciate, let alone the horror genre.
On top of that, the movie is scary. Really. Not in a deep, troubling "The Exorcist" way, but is reminiscent of the friendly shiver you get when being told a ghost story around a campfire. Doughterty's affection (obsession?) for the holiday is apparent in every last frame, with pumpkins, candy, shadows, foliage, and costumes being beautifully incorporated into the film's overall mood.
Mischief, mayhem, and gore are all over this cracked-out little gem, guaranteed to be a classic of the horror genre, not to mention an addition to my annual list of required viewing for October 31st.