Weapons of Class Destruction

If you've never heard of the horror cult-classic Trick 'r Treat, I don't blame you and neither does creator/writer/directer Michael Dougherty (co-writer of X2: X-Men united and Superman Returns, as well as alleged ghost writer on X-Men--Bryan Singer produced this movie and two of its stars, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox, are X-Men alum), who filmed the movie over two years ago and then watched as Warner Brothers neatly stuffed it on the shelf. I became intrigued immediately after seeing the trailer on the 300 DVD (to promote, at that time, a theatrical release that was never to be); everything about it dripped Halloween: the rich, autumnal colors, the glowing jack-o'-lanterns that seemed to populate every scene. My sister was the first to say it: It was as if someone made a movie specifically for me.

In the time between then and now, it was given two more separate release dates, none of which came to fruition, and played at endless horror film festivals and conventions, earning its cult status as one of the great, unnoticed gems. Warners finally relented and released the movie on DVD a week ago and I finally--finally--got my sweaty little mitts on it. So, did it live up to the hype?

Well, yes and no.

( Beware: You will be spoiled by this review, I will discuss some of the more shocking twists of the movie! )

Peace, Ghani