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Our generation has been dealt a pretty bad hand when it comes to horror films. The “Golden Age” of horror classics like “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “The Exorcist” is long gone. Instead, we have been served the genre of “torture porn,” forced to either endure the latest “Saw” or “Hostel,” or to put on one of the classics for the zillionth time when Halloween comes around. Occasionally we get a gem, such as “Shaun of the Dead” or “The Strangers.” Luckily, Warner Brothers’ recent DVD release “Trick ’r Treat” can join their ranks.
In a small Ohio town, Halloween is taken seriously: There’s a town party, a parade and decorations galore. It is every kid’s dream Halloween, and it is in this suburb that the film’s four tales take place, which include a terrifying principal with murder on the mind, a group of pranksters discovering the horrifying truth buried in an urban legend, and a strange trick-or-treater with a few lessons to teach a cranky old man. Each plays up a certain horror genre, ranging from slasher flicks to ghost stories and creature features. Each provides a fun spin on their respective formulas.
In an odd way, the film recalls memories of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” or the “Goosebumps” series. The stories are scary, but never too brutal, and there’s a sense of adventure and excitement always at hand. Anything can and will happen in this world on this night, and that’s exactly how Halloween should be.
The gorgeous set design adds greatly to the atmosphere of the film, really bringing writer/director Michael Dougherty’s vision to life. The production and set designer deserve some praise, creating a world where the character designs are colorful, unique and completely unnerving. That goes double for the trick-or-treater who torments the old man. If Warner Bros. plays their cards right and gets a sequel set, we may have a new horror franchise on our hands: A yearly anthology with little “Sam,” as he’s billed in the credits, as the one who ties it all together.
First-time director Dougherty serves up a perfect balance of horror and humor. He understands a basic concept that most horror filmmakers tend to forget — people like to be scared, but they like to laugh as well. The film’s goal is to excite and entertain, not to overwhelm. “Trick ’r Treat” doesn’t have the big laughs that “Shaun of the Dead” or the recent “Zombieland” has, but it does have enough moments of amusement in between the moments of horror that it never goes into camp or repellant violence. The film’s title is exactly what it delivers, a mixture of both elements that combine for great Halloween viewing. Skip the latest “Saw” entry and give your “Friday the 13th” DVD a rest. Pick up “Trick ’r Treat” and strap in for a movie that’s scary, exciting and most importantly, fun.
Grade: B+
Bangor Daily News