FEATURE FILMS

trick 'r treat
superman returns
x-men 2
 

ANIMATION

season's greetings
refrigerator art
crayons
deadtime stories

The fat kid from Bad Santa, the pedophile from Happiness, the reluctant mutant from X-men, Helo from Battlestar Galactica, tons of pumpkins and candy corn, and the latest, creepiest little horror icon this side of Chucky and/or Leprechaun.

Director Michael Dougherty loves Halloween. I mean he REALLY loves Halloween. And his love casts an even darker shadow on the already spooky gloom of the holiday in this excellent horror anthology. In the tradition of Creepshow, Tales from the Crypt, and Trilogy of Terror comes this surprise sleeper that is destined to become Halloween’s It’s a Wonderful Life. Screened in Hollywood on opening night of L.A.’s Screamfest horror festival, the movie finally made it to the screen after an incomprehensibly long delay. Using familiar stories and references from other classic horror films, Dougherty sets out to redefine the traditions of Halloween while presenting genuinely spooky tales with twists on the mythology and superstitions of the holiday in the boisterous spirit of 80s and 90s horror comedy. You’ll find no mindless teen thrill-killing, no squirming-in-your-seat torture, or Japanese remakes here.

Trick ‘r Treat is the Short Cuts of the horror genre and although the storylines were intended to intertwine more intricately, some end too soon, others not soon enough. And despite a little predictability, each story manages to be engaging and reveal something new. Another slight nitpick is the overuse of music at certain points where silence probably would have been more effective. But the sprawling, clever score is another standout of the film. Trick ‘r Treat is not meant to shock or terrify, in fact it possess the quality of a dark fairy tale without the heavyhanded moralizing. The actors in the film rose to the occasion in the Halloween spirit it displays unabashedly which is also accented by exquisite cinematography. Dougherty is a skillful storyteller and avoids an all-out gorefest in exchange for legitimate chills and a few laughs. His little trick-or-treater “Sam” is unforgettable and will linger with you for many Halloweens to come. The sad story of Trick ‘r Treat’s delayed release is probably best told elsewhere, however, the fact that this solid, well-crafted horror anthology has not made it to theaters is the ultimate trick on horror fans everywhere.

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