TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007) Reviews of Michael Dougherty’s anthology classic

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Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 American-Canadian anthology dark comedy horror film written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Godzilla: King of the MonstersKrampus) and produced by Bryan Singer (X-Men and sequels; The Taking of Deborah Logan).

On October 9, 2018, Scream Factory released a Collector’s Edition of Trick r’ Treat just in time for Halloween. The extras have been announced:

  • New 2K Scan of the original film elements supervised and approved by director Michael Dougherty
  • New Tales of Folklore & Fright: Creating Trick ‘r Treat – including interviews with writer/director Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, and storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins
  • New Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat – in-depth interview with Michael Dougherty on the making of the film
  • New Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat – including interviews with Michael Dougherty and composer Douglas Pipes
  • New Tales of Dread and Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat – a look at the release and fandom with Michael Dougherty and writer Rob Galluzzo
  • Season’s Greetings – NEW 2K scan of the original 16mm elements – a short film by Michael Dougherty with optional commentary by Dougherty
  • New Storyboard and Conceptual Artwork Gallery
  • New Behind the Scenes Still Gallery
  • New Monster Mash – a story from the TRICK ‘R TREAT graphic novel
  • New FEARnet.com Shorts
  • Audio Commentary with director Michael Dougherty
  • Trick ‘R Treat: The Lore and Legends of Halloween featurette
  • Deleted and Alternate Scenes with optional commentary by director Michael Dougherty
  • School Bus FX Comparison
  • Theatrical Trailer

The newly-commissioned artwork (below) is director approved and comes from Devon Whitehead. This art will be front-facing and the reverse side of the wrap will be a theatrical art alternative that director Michael Dougherty asked to be included.

(click on image to enlarge)

The film focuses on four Halloween-related horror stories. One common element that ties the stories together is the presence of Sam, a mysterious child trick-‘r-treater wearing shabby orange pyjamas with a burlap sack over his head.

Trick-r-Treat-Sam

The movie stars Dylan Baker (FidoHide and Seek), Rochelle Aytes, Brian Cox (The Autopsy of Jane DoeManhunter; Kiss the Girls) Anna Paquin (Darkness; Scream 4), Quinn Lord (The Possession), Lauren Lee Smith (Pathology).

Interwoven Halloween-themed stories occur on the same block, on the same night:

Opening: A couple finds what happens when they blow a jack o’ lantern out before midnight.

The Principal: A high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer.

Surprise Party: A college virgin might have met the right guy for her.

Trick-r-Treart

The School Bus Massacre Revisited: Five mean teens play a prank that they take too far, and a hermit is visited by a special trick ‘r treater.

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Reviews:

Trick ‘r Treat neatly apportions scary and campy elements while cleverly interlacing four storylines on Halloween night in an Ohio hamlet. It’s only fitting that, since the ’70s pics that inspired him were themselves inspired by ’50s EC Comics, Dougherty uses comic book graphics for intros and transitions. Wisely, however, he doesn’t overplay the gimmick.” Variety

” …the scares feel organic to the stories, and the film manages to stay away from the realm of camp, though it certainly flirts with the concept at times. The abundance of stories to tell provides a momentum that remains steady without ever faltering. Every Halloween memory and tradition is touched upon here and twisted just a bit, from carving pumpkins to dressing up in costumes to the stories you used to hear about strangers with candy.” IGN

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“There’s no surprise this film has waited two years for release. The only shock is how Brian Cox and Anna Paquin ended up in something so atrocious. In trying to span so many genres, the film fails to hit the mark with any of them. The real problem, though, is it just isn’t scary.” The Independent

Trick ‘r Treat is backed by beautiful art direction by Tony Wohlgemuth and photography from Glen MacPherson. The FX are also a true delight – I can’t single out any examples for fear of ruining some of the key revelations. This is an absolute killer of a directorial debut on Dougherty’s behalf. He’s made horror fun again without completely succumbing to campy kitsch.” Shock Till You Drop

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“Tone wise, it had clever yet grounded dialogue, a quirky sense of humor that rubbed me the right way, sported a bag-full of mucho suspenseful set pieces and even managed to be a tad sexy within one of its tales.” Joblo.com

“It’s fun to watch, there’s incredible innovation, a magnificent cast, awesome effects, a nice soundtrack and a killer beginning and end.” Blood Red Reviews

Cast and characters:
Dylan Baker as Steven Wilkins
Rochelle Aytes as Maria
Anna Paquin as Laurie
Brian Cox as Mr Kreeg
Quinn Lord as Sam/Peeping Tommy
Lauren Lee Smith as Danielle
Tahmoh Penikett as Henry
Moneca Delain as Janet
Brett Kelly as Charlie
Britt McKillip as Macy
Isabelle Deluce as Sara
Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Schrader
Leslie Bibb as Emma
Patrick Gilmore as Bud the Cameraman
C. Ernst Harth as Giant Baby
Christine Willes as Mrs Henderson
Samm Todd as Rhonda

Filming locations:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Comic books:
Wildstorm Comics had planned to release a four-issue adaptation of Trick ‘r Treat written by Marc Andreyko and illustrated by Fiona Staples but the series was instead released as a graphic novel adaptation in October 2009.

Legendary Comics has set Trick ‘r Treat: Days of the Dead for an October 2015 release date.

Read more about horror film-to-comic adaptations

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