TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007)

4 stars

Arrow Video. 4K UHD Limited Edition. 28th October

TRICK ‘R TREAT is a great anthology horror which cleverly intermingles it’s tales of terror mixed in with humour to give a more cohesive narrative – I remember it playing well at FrightFest when it first came out and it stands up well to repeat viewings.

The film opens with a couple, Emma (Leslie Bibb, one of several familiar faces in the excellent cast) and her husband Henry (Tahmoh Penikett) returning home from the Halloween celebrations. Emma is not a big fan – so she pulls down all the decorations… which she soon regrets!

In our second story, school principal Wilkins (Dylan Baker) lectures young Charlie (Brett Kelly) about respecting traditions after catching him destroying jack o’ lanterns and stealing sweets. He also gives him a bar laced with cyanide! Attempting to bury the body in his backyard, he keeps being interrupted… the third tale has the local urban legend of the “Halloween School Bus Massacre”, as a group of youngsters visit the flooded quarry where years before a vehicle ferrying eight mentally challenged and disabled children was driven off the cliff – what starts off as a bit of a prank turns deadly when the drowned children return!

Next up, Laurie (Anna Paquin) has come to town with her older sister Danielle (Lauren Lee Smith), and friends, to party with the local boys – Laurie is apprehensive as it is her ‘first time’… except it doesn’t mean what you think it does.

The final full tale has curmudgeonly Kreeg (Brian Cox), who hates Halloween, and likes to scare trick-or-treaters away from his property. He is attacked by Sam (Quinn Lord), a tiny terror which we have seen throughout the various stories, who wants to teach him a lesson. A reveal links Kreeg in with one of the other horrors. There is also a conclusion segment which doesn’t end well for Kreeg!

This is a fun outing which you should definitely be adding to your Halloween “playlist”, especially in the shape of this splendid disc release. Written and directed by Michael Dougherty (in a sure handed directorial debut), this features the great creation Sam, a demon who is threaded throughout the film, with an iconic look of an orange onesie and a burlap covered round head and button eyes. The surprise here is that there hasn’t been a follow up featuring this character (though I believe there has been a sequel in development for some years). Dougherty, who is probably best known as a writer (X-MEN 2 (2003), SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) etc), has also gone on to direct the big budget GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019).

The image looks amazing on this disc, which features a new 4K restoration approved by Dougherty.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

4 stars

2 audio commentaries – a new one with Dougherty moderated by James A. Janisse & Chelsea Rebecca from Dead Meat Podcast plus an archival one with Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes

Becoming Sam, a brand new interview with actor Quinn Lord (9 mins): talks about playing the iconic role, seeing the animated short before auditioning. Having fun scaring people as a young 5 year old and playing the role when he was 7. He clearly enjoyed the experience

The Devil is in the Details, a brand new interview with production designer Mark Freeborn (12 mins). Worked on X-Files and Millennium. Conducted interview over zoom. Talks about working with the director, shooting in Canada, working from the director’s vision to create the sets

If Looks Could Kill, a brand new interview with director of photography Glen MacPherson (17 mins): Creating a visual style for the film. Turned down Rambo to do this as the director was so enthusiastic and had great concept art.

Designs to Die for, a brand new interview with costume designer Trish Keating (15 mins): Liking the script and the chance to be creative. Meeting Dougherty who had a clear idea of what he wanted. The difficulties involved in making the costumes – including Sam.

Bark at the Moon, a brand new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos (8 mins): Talking about the werewolf designs and make-up

Mark Freeborn Remembers Bill Terezakis, a new tribute to the late make-up effects designer (3 mins). A tribute to the late make up fx designer.

Archival extras: Tales of Folklore & Fright (16 mins); Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat (19 mins); Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat (11 mins); Tales of Dread & Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat (7 mins); Season’s Greetings, a short film from 1996 directed by Michael Dougherty (3 mins) with optional director commentary; The Lore and Legends of Halloween, narrated by actor Brian Cox (27 mins); School bus VFX comparison (1 min)

Plus:

Deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by director Michael Dougherty (17 mins)

FEARnet promos (3 mins)

Sam O’Lantern – a slightly odd extra, one of those scenes you can find on YouTube that just play for an hour or more

Storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery; Behind the scenes gallery; Trailer

Add to this – Monster Mash comic book set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe; Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck; Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck; Six postcard-sized artcards; Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Becky Darke and Heather Wixson