Trick 'r Treat (2007)
*** (out of 4)
Anthology horror film is set on Halloween night and centers around a different group of people. The stories include a principle who just happens to also be a serial killer. We also learn the legend of a bus driver who was paid to kill off some children. Another story deals with an old man who seems to have something stalking him. Finally, a 22- year-old virgin attends a party to end that.
TRICK 'R TREAT had a disastrous history as the film was meant to be released during the Halloween season but it was taken off the schedule for some reason. Rumors of its release followed for the next several months, which turned to years and finally it went straight-to-video where it began to build up a cult following. I personally didn't think there was a single scary scene to be found in the movie and at times it's story was a bit all over the place but there's no denying that it captures Halloween just about as good as any movie ever made.
All of the stories in their own way are fairly interesting and most of them take on a different style. The first with the serial killer is done in a rather tongue-in-cheek way that also adds some graphic violence. The stuff dealing with the children and the school bus legend was the darkest in tone and managed to be effective. The final sequence with the old man is perhaps the most interesting because it contains a bit of mystery that plays out nicely. Again, I didn't find any of the stories to be all that scary but there's no question that the look of the film is excellent and you really do get the feeling and atmosphere of a Halloween night.
Dylan Baker certainly stands out in his role and it was also nice seeing Anna Paquin in her role. All of the actors do a nice job but there's no doubt that the biggest star is the set design. The visuals here are extremely great and the look of the various jack-o- lanterns are just a terrific sight. TRICK 'R TREAT seems to be getting a bigger cult following each year and it really does deserve it.
*** (out of 4)
Anthology horror film is set on Halloween night and centers around a different group of people. The stories include a principle who just happens to also be a serial killer. We also learn the legend of a bus driver who was paid to kill off some children. Another story deals with an old man who seems to have something stalking him. Finally, a 22- year-old virgin attends a party to end that.
TRICK 'R TREAT had a disastrous history as the film was meant to be released during the Halloween season but it was taken off the schedule for some reason. Rumors of its release followed for the next several months, which turned to years and finally it went straight-to-video where it began to build up a cult following. I personally didn't think there was a single scary scene to be found in the movie and at times it's story was a bit all over the place but there's no denying that it captures Halloween just about as good as any movie ever made.
All of the stories in their own way are fairly interesting and most of them take on a different style. The first with the serial killer is done in a rather tongue-in-cheek way that also adds some graphic violence. The stuff dealing with the children and the school bus legend was the darkest in tone and managed to be effective. The final sequence with the old man is perhaps the most interesting because it contains a bit of mystery that plays out nicely. Again, I didn't find any of the stories to be all that scary but there's no question that the look of the film is excellent and you really do get the feeling and atmosphere of a Halloween night.
Dylan Baker certainly stands out in his role and it was also nice seeing Anna Paquin in her role. All of the actors do a nice job but there's no doubt that the biggest star is the set design. The visuals here are extremely great and the look of the various jack-o- lanterns are just a terrific sight. TRICK 'R TREAT seems to be getting a bigger cult following each year and it really does deserve it.