Day 31. It’s finally here! Halloween night and my final horror movie review for this month. I knew from the beginning that I would start off with “Poltergiest”, and finish off with the great and completely appropriate “Trick r’ Treat”. In between those two I had no idea what I was going to watch and what I was getting myself into. Every day this month I took hours out of my normal routine to watch and review the movies as soon as I was finished, so my opinions would still be fresh in my mind. I took thorough notes during each movie, with the exception of “Paranormal Activity 3″, which I saw in a theater. Doing this self imposed challenge I grew a greater appreciation for authors, screenplay writers, and dedicated bloggers. It takes a lot of heart to pour yourself into something that you’re not sure anybody would read or care about. I had fun watching each of the movies, even the ones I panned. I have respect for each and every single filmmaker and crew member who worked so hard to get their art out to the masses, for us to enjoy and sometimes be critical about. I also wanted to thank a few particular readers who have commented and supported me the whole way through. They know who they are and I am thankful for the feedback and words of encouragement!

With an unfortunate limited release “Trick r’ Treat” came out in 2007. The film was written and directed by Michael Dougherty. It features an ensemble cast which includes Anna Paquin as ‘Laurie’, Leslie Bibb as ‘Emma’, Dylan Baker as ‘Principal Wilkins’. Tahmoh Penikett stars as ‘Henry’, Brett Kelly portrays ‘Charlie’, and Brian Cox appears as ‘Mr Kreeg’.

“Trick r’ Treat” starts off with a black and white Halloween educational film strip. It gives the guidelines trick or treaters should follow. Having that old feeling of watching a movie in elementary school made this tiny addition even greater. The film then cuts to present time. It is Halloween night. Make sure when watching this movie to pay attention to all of the small details, and you’ll see how, from the beginning, every story is connected. A couple, Emma, and Henry return from the evenings festivities. She goes to put out the light in a pumpkin, but Henry warns her not to because of Halloween tradition. Emma does so anyway. We are seeing all of this happen from the POV of a third character watching them. Henry goes inside while Emma stays outdoors in order to clean up the Halloween decorations adorning their front yard. These scenes were fairly suspenseful. As an audience we are aware that a creature is lurking in the shadows and watching Emma. Only thing is we don’t know when or how it will attack her. In the neighborhood are various trick or treaters milling about, with one in particular standing across the street and staring at her. Paying it no mind she continues taking down the sheets that were set up as ghosts. From here out prepare for some boobs,scares, and a nasty death. This section before the credits was scary, well shot, and very enjoyable.

An animated title sequence shows glimpses of the rest of the movie inside of panels like a comic book. We are then taken to the main street of Warren Valley, Ohio during Halloween. There is a huge party going on. inside a costume shop are four girls. Laurie the more reserved of the bunch, is hesitant to show off her Little Red Riding Hood costume. The girls are getting ready to attend a party. Cut to a rotund cherub face kid named Charlie. The boy walks down the street knocking over his neighbors pumpkins. Charlie comes across a house and decides to stop. He walks up and starts taking all of the candy the owners left for the trick or treaters. He is approached by the owner of the house Principal Wilkins. The principal grabs a knife and starts eerily carving a jack o’ lantern while sitting next to Charlie who is eating candy on the porch. The following scene is extremely disgusting and definitely not for those with weak stomachs. Although it was brutal to watch, Charlie kind of got what was coming to him. Especially with him having diabetes. All that candy is horrible for his blood sugar level. So if this guy didn’t get him, that would have eventually. Principal Wilkins clumsily drags Charlie’s body inside his house. A couple of visitors interrupt and he resumes what he is doing. Back with the girls, Laurie is feeling pressured to find a date. We then see the principal dragging a body and making an attempt to bury it in the backyard. I like how the movie was cutting between the two stories raising the anticipation level. The scenes with Wilkins trying to finish his task was tinged with humor, while also being frightening. Billy the principal’s son keeps yelling at him from the second story window. Wilkins sees his neighbor Mr. Kreeg in distress, but ignores him and goes inside. We are then privy to witness one of the weirdest father/son dynamics I’ve ever seen in a movie. The result is pretty gruesome.

The trick or treaters from earlier are out collecting jack o’ lanterns. We meet five kids one of them mentally disabled. Back at the main street Halloween festivities a random woman has an unfortunate run in with a masked man. While running away she passes by Emma and Henry, the couple from earlier. Little visual cues throughout shows that the movie doesn’t follow a linear time line or structure. This may seem a bit confusing, but by the end everything becomes clear. Making a second and third viewing necessary to catch all of the tiny details. Our group of five kids make their way to a supposedly haunted rock quarry. It is there they have a plot to prank the mentally handicapped girl. Their plans go awry, and get themselves into a situation that is way more than they all bargained for. The backstory of the undead is both heartbreaking and creepy. This section of the film is even scarier to watch, because the filmmakers play on peoples emotions, by incorporating children being terrorized. The last two stories involve Laurie, her friends at the party, and Mr. Kreeg, who was involved in the haunted children’s backstory. Spooky, brutal, and gory the rest of the film is best going into not knowing what else to expect.

I recommend “Trick r’ Treat”. It incorporates all elements of the genre including slashers, a supernatural element, creatures, and the obligatory jump scares. Although it can be a tad bit confusing at times, in terms of the story’s time line. If you pay attention you’ll understand how they all connect. I feel like if this film had more mainstream recognition, “Sam” the little creature wearing the burlap sack over his head could have become a horror movie icon. “Trick r’ Treat is the perfect Halloween movie!

October: 31 days X 31 horror movie reviews- "Trick r' Treat", 10.0 out of 10 based on 2 ratings