Believe In Halloween…Or I’ll Kill You!
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
If you see this creepy little bastard, run for your life!
A while back, I heard of this film called Trick ‘r Treat. I saw marketing for it, I saw the poster featuring what appeared to be a kid from the set of The Strangers 2: All The Kids Are Doing It, and heard critiques for it. However, I never saw the movie. What the hell happened to it? I have to tell you, when I found out after seeing the movie, I was pretty pissed.
First off, what happened? I can’t seem to find substantial evidence one way or another, but it appears that Warner Bros didn’t want to open it against Saw IV. After seeing the finished product for Trick ‘r Treat, this really irks me. Saw IV wasn’t horrible, but I have to say I liked this movie better. It’s got a top notch cast, including the irrepressible Brian Cox, who, as I’ve stated in my The Ring review, lends gravity to any film he’s in. Trick ‘r Treat features four interlocking stories, but does it in a way that other horror films that have done the same thing haven’t tried. Throughout the film, you see characters from other stories in parts that don’t normally feature them. One element in each story is the inclusion of a small masked figure in burlap. Sam, as he’s called, will be featured in his own part of the story, and probably the best.
I’ve mentioned the cast. Here, we get to see Dylan Baker as a father and principal who is totally up to no good. Never have I seen child murder be this funny! Anna Paquin turns up as a vampire victim (Get out of town!) who may be less of a victim than she appears, and Brian Cox plays a grouchy old man with a horrible secret! Wait…he did that same thing in The Ring! Wait! He’s been doing that for years! That must be why he’s so good at it. The other story is a tale of bully comeupance, and a truly creepy addition to the proceedings.
Now, in my research for the film, I’ve encounted many different views. Some people love it, others hate it. Me, I loved the damn thing. There’s gore, there’s boobies, and there’s an excellent bunch of bad guys here. But, be warned. Not every victim is good, not every villain is completely bad, and almost nothing is what it seems. Also, Sam, the little bad guy in the film is awesome! Let me say this…if that’s a damn midget in those dirty orange pajamas, they’re an amazing actor. The little shit moves just like a little kid! How goddamn creepy is that? Ugh!
So, check this movie out, if you get the chance. And, for the love of God, keep Halloween in your heart and keep it holy every year!
Or, at least put out a Jack-o-Lantern. Your life might depend on it!
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Rock on! How awesome to wake up to your Trick ‘R Treat review, Bryan. : )
So glad you liked it! I knew you would. Oh my gosh I loved this movie. I agree they did an awesome job of interlocking all the storylines together. Plus..each storyline was great in it’s own right. Every part of this movie rocked. I don’t really have a favorite, because they were all so good. It really is a total shame that they didn’t put this one in the theaters..with such a great cast and story. Sam has become one of my favorite horror movie villians for sure. That thing creeped the holy hell out of me! Everything about him…the child hands and body, the dirty orange sleeper, and then when we find out what his innards are? So creepy! And I really liked the moral of the whole movie…to keep Halloween traditions & it may just save your life! : ) I’m guessing his name is “Sam” because of Samhain, right? The name that the Celts had for All Hallows Eve. I thought that was pretty cool. What I took from it was that Sam was the very essence..the spirit you might say of Halloween itself. Do you agree? Yeah he was a very creepy little dude..and one of the scariest things about him was that he never uttered a single word the whole movie…but damn if he didn’t get his points across. lol.
Jacob watched the movie too *I watched it first so I’d know where the “boobie” parts were to make him avert his eyes* and he thought it was really cool. The other day we went to this big Halloween costume super tent on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green, and he said, “Look mommy it’s Sam!” I looked up and sure enough they had the sack head and pumpkin head mask for Sam and they had the Trick ‘R Treat label on them. I told him if he were 5 or 6 again..I would totally have had him go as Sam for Halloween…orange sleeper and all. lol. It would just be cool to have a little Sam running around the streets of Morgantown on Halloween night. Ha.
Great review, Bryan. Just one question…who do you think would win in a fight….Sam or Pumpkinhead? : )
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Hmmmm…The living embodiment of rage and vengeance vs. the cute little spirit of Halloween? Hmmmm..I’m going to have to go with Pumpkinhead on this one. Unless Sam can figure out who’s controlling him. Then it’s all Sam…but I’m guessing Pumpkinhead wouldn’t give him the chance. So, I’m going with the Down South Squash Headed Voodoo Avenger. Sorry…
Glad you enjoyed the review Sherry. After I finished the movie, I knew I needed to break my one review a day rule.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 9:24 am
lol Bryan something told me you wouldn’t be able to contain yourself after watching it and I wouldn’t be waiting til next month to read the review. Sometimes rules are made to be broken.
Oh…are you going to go see The Vampire’s Assistant? Jacob and I are wanting to go see it, but I was hoping to hear first from somebody who has seen it, find out whether or not it would be suitable for an 11 yr old, and if it was worth going to see. I’m also wanting to go see Paranormal Activity, but I’m thinking it might be too much for Jacob. If you go see either of them…I hope maybe you’ll do the reviews on them…even if it means breaking your rule again! : )