The treat is that this fine Halloween themed anthology film looks great in high definition on Blu-ray. The bit of a trick is that several of the special features were made exclusive to the Blu-ray.
It is Halloween night and many have plans of a spooky kind. Emma (Leslie Bibb) ignores an ancient tradition of Halloween and pays dearly. Principal Steven Wilkins (Dylan Baker) has to have a talk with one of his troubled students (Brent Kelly) before beginning his questionable Halloween activities.
Laurie (Anna Paquin) is a shy girl and needs to find a date if she is to attend a party with her friends Danielle (Lauren Lee Smith), Janet (Moneca Delain), and Maria (Rochelle Aytes), but she has to walk through the dark woods to get to the party. A group of kids, Marcy (Britt McKillip), Schrader (Jean-Luc Bilodeau), Sara (Isabelle Deluce), Chip (Alberto Ghisi), and Rhonda (Samm Todd), takes a trip to an abandoned rock quarry to see the site of the Halloween School Bus Massacre.
Mr. Kreeg (Brian Cox) isn’t very nice. He has a Halloween visitor in the form of a trick or treater named Sam (Quinn Lord) with a creepy knapsack on his head teach him the true meaning of Halloween. All of these terror-ific tales blend into each other and have connections sure to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
Trick ‘r Treat combines two favorites. The first is Halloween and the second is anthology films (more stories for the price of one). If done correctly an anthology film can offer several tales woven into one film, thereby decreasing the boredom factor. Though some tales may be lesser than others.
What Trick ‘r Treat achieves is a wonderful bit of Halloween candy corn with the story of a creepy trick or treater popping up in several of the tales of terror. The film garnered much press and fan praise when it was run through several film fests and garnered much praise from supporters. It should’ve been opened wide on Halloween, but it was instead put on home video just in time for the titular holiday. It’s a scream and a fun time.
The film is sure to be brought out every October 31st for a Happy Halloween. The DVD release only offered the 3 minute short that inspired the film with the lion’s share of special feature reserved for the Blu-ray release. Blu-ray aficionados may consider this a treat, but DVD only households might consider it a trick. Just to let you know, I think it’s a treat.
Trick ‘r Treat is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.35:1). Special features include a commentary by writer/director Michael Dougherty, concept artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins, and composer Douglas Pipes. All the remainder of the special features is presented in standard definition.
The 28 minute “The Lore and Legends of Halloween” looks at the holiday as well as the development of the film. Next are 17 minutes of additional scenes with optional commentary by Dougherty, the 4 minute “Season’s Greetings” short that inspired the film (also with optional commentary), and a 1 minute special effects comparison of the school bus scene. The disc is also BD-Live enhanced.
Blu-ray ghouls and boys will find some exciting treats in this package while haunted houses with only a DVD player will be jealous. However, the film is a thrilling one that offers up a good time for those that look forward to fall weather and dressing up in their scary costumes or just if you want a good horror movie.
Trick ‘r Treat [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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