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Trick 'r Treat (2008)
 Tags: Anna Paquin, anthology, Brian Cox, DVD, halloween, Legendary Pictures, Michael Dougherty, trick 'r treat, trick r treat, Warner Bros. Pictures |
(92 votes)
Rating #:
7/10
Director:
Michael Dougherty
Runtime:
82 minutes
Cast:
Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, Moneca Delain Finally after two years, Michael Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat is finally here. The film was originally given an October 2007 theatrical release, but was suddenly pulled from the schedule. It was then talked about receiving an October release the following year, which once again never came into fruition. All-the-while, the film travels various film festivals, receiving nothing but positive feedback. Now, the flick is finally coming to us, but sadly straight to DVD/Blu-ray. On the plus side, since this was meant for a theatrical release, what we're given is a DVD flick that looks like a bigger-budgeted theatrical release.
Despite a lot of the positive hype surrounding this picture, I tried hard not to fall victim to it, as I've said several times in the past, buying into the hype behind a flick usually leads to nothing but disappointment. Thus, I went in with moderate expectations and came out a very happy viewer. Trick 'r Treat managed to pull off something that a lot of other seasonal-themed flicks couldn't and that is to perfectly capture the look and feel of that particular time of the year, and in this case being Halloween. Unlike a lot of other anthologies Trick 'r Treat doesn't rely on a cheesy narrator or host to serve us each story. Instead, we're pretty much just thrown right into it and have to rely on the character development and story to help us figure things out as we go along (as it should be).
The film also doesn't specifically stick to any one tale, as they're all interwoven together, we go from one set of characters to the other, constantly switching back and forth, never leaving a dull moment, and giving us a lot of breathing room to see how things have progressed for the other set of leads. As for the stories themselves -- not a bad batch in the mix. Normally when dealing with anthologies there's at least one bad story thrown in there, but I actually liked the four stories that were presented, with each being unique and interesting in its own way.
If we were to follow any particular order, we'd have to start with the school Principal who also happens to be a serial killer by night. Then we've got a young virginal beauty played by Anna Paquin, who's dressed up as Red Riding Hood and being stalked by a mysterious masked individual. Next we follow a group of kids as they pull a prank on a fellow peer, only to discover that they picked the wrong spot to do it and get a little taste of their own medicine. Lastly, we've got an old grumpy recluse, who refuses to hand out candy until he's paid a visit by the creepy sack-headed Sam. The basic theme behind Trick 'r Treat is to not break certain set rules for Halloween, otherwise those who break them will punished accordingly.
The movie not only switches back and forth between stories, but some stories take place at different times, which gives it a unique sense realism and shows how each story is somehow connected in one form or another. Being that this wasn't a particularly small budget, we're given some above average make-up effects, but sadly there's nothing that really stands out in terms of gore. Though, this is another good example at how you don't really need blood and guts to make a good movie anyway. So, one may ask why such a glowing review, yet only a 7-rating? Well, to be honest, the stories could've been stronger or scarier, but I don't think that was really the point of'em for this movie. Either way, it would've been great if they were just a bit more memorable, especially in terms of twists. When it's all said and done, Trick 'r Treat is just an all-around good and entertaining horror film, and will likely be on many horror fan's slate each year for many Halloweens to come.
Trick 'r Treat is a unique little horror anthology that sucks in its viewers and doesn't let go. The stories are entertaining, the characters are interesting, and it delivers the perfect look and feel of Halloween. Definitely give this flick a check, especially if it's during the right season.
| Posted on September 27, 2009 - 2:56am | FrighT MasteR |
Dates are tentative and subject to change.
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 14, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, February 17, 2012
- Tue, February 21, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, February 28, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 2, 2012 (VOD)
- Tue, March 6, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 9, 2012
- Sat, March 17, 2012 (SyFy)
- Tue, March 20, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, March 30, 2012
- Tue, April 3, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 6, 2012 (Limited)
- Tue, April 10, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 13, 2012 (Chiller)
- Fri, April 13, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 17, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, April 20, 2012 (Limited)
- Fri, April 20, 2012
- Tue, April 24, 2012 (DVD)
- Tue, April 24, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, April 27, 2012
- Fri, May 4, 2012 (VOD)
- Fri, May 11, 2012
- Fri, June 8, 2012
- Tue, June 12, 2012 (DVD)
- Fri, June 22, 2012
- Fri, August 17, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 24, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, August 31, 2012
- Fri, September 14, 2012
- Fri, September 21, 2012
- Fri, October 5, 2012
- Fri, October 19, 2012
- Fri, October 26, 2012
- Fri, December 21, 2012
- Fri, January 11, 2013
- Fri, February 1, 2013
- Fri, February 15, 2013
- Fri, February 22, 2013
- Fri, April 12, 2013
- Fri, May 10, 2013
- Fri, June 28, 2013
my favorite movie its awesome i love it its dark humor
This movie kinda sucked..it was honestly just okay..I didnt like all the jumping around and than anna paquin's werwolf part didn't even make sense. wasnt even gory. lame..
Here's a funny little Easter clip with Trick 'r Treats' Sam
http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=18810
Just watched this. Was pleasantly surprised and thought it rates right up there with Halloween & It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, which is to say that this movie IS a main staple for Halloween viewing. What was not to like about it? the co-joining stories were just short of fantastic storytelling and the acting with it's direction was far superior then some of the crap Hollywood tries to pass off as "Horror". I'll need to buy this movie for the next mulitple viewings and just not for Halloween.
A sequal to this might be made!
http://www.horrorbid.com/blog/blog1.php/2011/03/31/sam-will-return-trick...
I dont give a fuck! This movie was awesome, GREAT Halloween season flick!
I must of missed something !?? the rating on this film on this site is over 8 ? i gave it a 4 and that was being generous...i could hardly watch it,was this a kids movie ? i'll have to watch it again and re-post....
I generally agree with FM's reviews, but this flick is fucking gay! couldn't bring myself to finish it. 30 or so minutes was more than enough to bore me to tears. gah!
very disapointing, can think of 10 much better horror films to watch on halloween
i loved this movie. awesome Halloween flick!
Awesome Halloween movie. Isn't Sam cute?!?
I really loved this movie, flaws and all. The director did an amazing job of creating his own little idealized Halloween world. It looks like what you WANT Halloween to look like. Though the stories themselves were not terribly scary, the atmosphere definitely helped with the "creeps" factor. This one will be a Halloween tradition in my home, every year.
Though I do think it could have been a bit better if the director had amped up the scares a stitch and if he had tightened up the pacing slightly in certain scenes, I don't really understand why it was never given a chance at the big-screen. I've seen a plethora of terrible horror films get a shot at the cinemas, why not this one?
Got this at the grocery store on Blu Ray for ONLY $9.99. I honestly dont know how many times I have watched this movie. One of those movies that are awesome from beginning to end. This movie is EPICNESS to A whole new level. Forget watching it just on Halloween. I will watch it everyday and reccomend it to everyone.
Awesome movie! I watch it every Halloween now and the way it all tied in together at the end was really nice.
I just had a chance to watch this a while ago and it was just as good as the trailer. AMAZING plot, AMAZING style of writing and AMAZING cast. This is a 10-star movie all the way.
Plus, it's kinda funny.
"CHARLIE BROWN'S AN ASSHOLE" damn good movie. DAMN GOOD MOVIE!
Unfortunately.. I just got around to watching this today.. and I absolutely loved it. I saw the high rating it received.. and promptly put it on my Netflix list. I was not disappointed. >)
All time favorite Halloween movie. Great plot, clever intertwining stories, good acting, perfect amount of dark humor, overall great Halloween movie. I'm kind of hoping they'll leave this one alone when it comes to remakes or sequels. Too good of an original film.
This movie kicks major ass. The day it came out my girlfriend and I drove all over town trying to find it because we had been so excited for it. It was sold out everywhere we looked. We then got home and decided to rent a movie from our On-Demand service. While looking though the movies they had to rent we found this and were so excited. It did not disappoint at all.
If you haven't seen this then go, do it now.
i have not seen this movie yet
Hop on it! You'll be glad you did!
After a long wait, this movie finally came out. Loved it, definitely worth the wait.
Was a fun movie to watch!
Out on a limb here, but I'm guessing you liked this movie?
It was pretty damn good.
I could honestly watch this movie every Halloween 'cause I think it's a great reminder of the spirit of Halloween. It's fun, colorful, and overall scary. I think the 4 stories are uniquely entertaining in their own way but if their was one thing I wanted, I guess a bit more blood and gore would have been nice because they all had a build-up to some kind of climax and some of the climaxes were a bit under-whelming, in particular the school bus massacre story. The last time I watched that whole section, I was thinking "The deaths could have a bit more creative". Oh well.
My favorite section is the werewolf story, which is arguably the most predictable/cheesiest story out of the 4. Where I think the dialogue isn't really great, I think the climax made up for it, big time. I honestly thought the transformation scene was crazy cool!! When those girls started ripping off their skins, I got wide-eyed and was thinking "Holy SHIT!!!" I could be wrong, but I think that's the first time someone's transformed into a werewolf like that. Plus, it was so great to FINALLY see Anna Paquin be sexy/raunchy.
Overall, the dialogue wasn't bad except for a few cheesy parts, the acting is good, the stories are all entertaining, many of the effects are creepy and if this film had just a bit more blood and gore, I would have given it a 10/10 but I think it definitely deserves a 9/10. Halloween can be scary all year long.
One of the best things about this movie (and there were many) was the little pumpkin-headed guy! This l'il fella could become one of horror's next great icons.
I absolutely have to see this movie.
i hate being that guy....this movie had no plot, no meaning and was just a bad horror film. a tad entertaining but didn't make it to theaters for a reason
What, so you're saying only good movies make it to theaters?
Are you forgetting about the 'Holloween' remakes, oh - and don't even get me started on the 'Nightmare on Elm Street' remake.
I hate being that girl, but your comment makes no sense.
that guy who doesn't know what a plot is? i wouldn't want to be that guy either...
lol thats funny
I was so excited a few months back to read about this movie coming out but i wasnt going to hold my breath up to the due date cause from the past two years i learn that things can happen...
so on the release date i was at my local dvd shop at 11:45pm waiting for midnight to get my copy which i have done in the pass for other releases so nothing new there.
i got home about 45mins later and watch it... twice...
IMO: it is one of the top halloween theme horror movies to date.
oh yeah, the stories were good, kinda wished they went for more gore but i had read somewhere this movie was supposed to be released in theatres which is why it is not so gory
This movie was f'in awesome, and honestly one of the sexiest werewolf transformations i've ever seen. Love the way all of the stories somewhat interact which each other.
this movie was fuckin amazing.not alot o gore.but totally worth every minute!!im wathing it again right now!!
out of curiousity, did it come out in theatres or did everone go online and see it, and if you went online, what's the website you went to watch it, i tried looking for it online but could only find trailers for it
I have extra copies on dvd if anyone wants one
jangell4444@yahoo.com
So those of you that have seen this movie, what is the GORE scale..Thats my crack cocaine in a horror film!!!!
The movie isn't gory. If it is the only horror flick you'll watch in a year, then MAYBE you could call it gory. It is a PG movie compared to shit like Inside and Frontiers. I'm not being critical by any means, it's just a different kind of film. Sure it's horror, but it's more of a Halloween film...it's more fun than it is scary by a long shot. That is why I like it so much. It doesn't try to be something it's not.
There isn't much gore in this one at all, but I liked the movie alot. I would give it 7 too but I can see people going a little higher if they were really into it.
I didn't really find it that gory, but apparently other people did. It had some decent blood though.
I have to say that this was a great movie. It was everything the hype said it would be, the only bad thing I could say about this movie was it took too long to come out.
Oh I almost forgot.. This movie covers all types of horror movies, You have your serial killer, Vampire, Werewolves, Monster, Ghost. All balled in to one big Web. Yummy!!!!
Genius! So I just Watch this amazing movie and I must say I loved it. It had its slow moments, but was very worth it. Trick 'r Treat was pretty much a flawless horror film. I will warn you that this is not a scary film. It is more like a type of creepshow but with all strories tieing together and centering around the great halloween rituals
1. Wear a costume.
2. Hand out treats.
3. Never blow out a jack-o'-lantern.
4. And always check your candy.
I can't imagine a single horror fan that won't fall head over heels in love with it. What the hell took them so long to put this movie out, I will never understand. All the actors in this movie took huge risk and were awesome. Michael Dougherty did a great job and Im looking forward to more movies with type of concept.
it was simply great, it reminds you why halloween is so nice in the first place, and does it without over doing it.
Im With Ya It was trippy in the start but by the end of the movie all the storylines tie together Abosolutly BRILLIANT! >)