Trick 'r Treat (2007) Limited Edition 4K Review

4 star, timely and excellent restoration of a Halloween classic.

Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 American anthology horror comedy film, written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus, Godzilla: King of the Monsters).

It has enjoyed a 4K restoration courtesy of Arrow Video and is available with original artwork, exclusively from the Arrow Video Store.

“Werewolves, zombies and demons of every variety. They’ve all descended on the normally sleepy town of Warren Valley, Ohio, where the holiday and all of it’s strange traditions are taken very seriously.”

This complex web of interconnected tales which takes place over the course of one Halloween night, starts out with Emma (Leslie Bibb – Iron Man, Law Abiding Citizen) and Henry (Tahmoh Penikett – Battlestar Galactica, Man of Steel) finishing their evening in an unexpected way.

Also in town are a group of girls looking for a good time with the local boys, Danielle (Lauren Lee Smith – Mutant X), Janet (Moneca Delain – 3 Days in Havana), Maria (Rochelle Aytes – White Chicks) and the very shy Laurie (Anna Paquin – X-Man, The Piano), who has to be coaxed to participate.

We meet Charlie (Brett Kelly – Bad Santa, What Goes Up), a bratty kid who falls foul of Mr. Wilkins (Dylan Baker – Revolutionary Road), a school principal who enjoys less than savoury extra curricular activities. Next door to him is Mr Kreeg (Brian Cox – Skelly, That Christmas), a cantankerous old fellow who might just meet his dues tonight.

And of course, the local kids are out trick or treating, Macy (Britt McKillip – Daddy’s Girl) and her friends Schrader (Jean-Luc Bilodeau – Love Me, LOL), Sara (Isabelle Deluce – Stealing Christmas) and Chip (Alberto Ghisi – Final Destination 3, She’s the Man), as well as Rhonda (Sam Todd). BUt who knows what’s out there waiting for them tonight. Tying everything together is the presence of a small child in a scarecrow mask.

“Don’t waste a good lie on this. It’s just candy. Guess it’s a good thing I got more. Why don’t you sit down, stay for a minute.”

Trick ‘r Treat is a brilliant Halloween film, it’s got a bit of everything and it looks great in 4K. The acting is surprisingly good for this kind of film and the dark comedy is delivered very well.

It’s cleverly written, as we jump backwards and forwards through the evening, seeing events through fresh eyes and finding revelations as we go. It’s twisty enough to be satisfying when you work out what’s going on and who people are.

A great package with lots of special features, this one is well worth adding to your collection.

“It happened thirty years ago, on a late Halloween afternoon. A school bus was on its usual route, but this wasn’t your typical school bus and they weren’t your typical kids.”

Trick ‘r Treat is available to own now on Limited Edition 4K.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films, approved by writer-director Michael Dougherty
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary with writer-director Michael Dougherty moderated by James A. Janisse & Chelsea Rebecca from Dead Meat Podcast
Archival audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes
Becoming Sam, a brand new interview with actor Quinn Lord
The Devil is in the Details, a brand new interview with production designer Mark Freeborn
If Looks Could Kill, a brand new interview with director of photography Glen MacPherson
Designs to Die for, a brand new interview with costume designer Trish Keating
Bark at the Moon, a brand new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos
Mark Freeborn Remembers Bill Terezakis, a new tribute to the late make-up effects designer
Tales of Folklore & Fright, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty, Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins
Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat, an archival interview with Michael Dougherty on the making of the film
Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Douglas Pipes
Tales of Dread & Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Rob Galluzzo of the Shock Waves podcast, exploring the film’s release and fandom
Season’s Greetings, a short film from 1996 directed by Michael Dougherty with optional director commentary
The Lore and Legends of Halloween, an archival featurette narrated by actor Brian Cox
School bus VFX comparison
Deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by director Michael Dougherty
FEARnet promos
Sam O’ Lantern
Storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery
Behind the scenes gallery
Monster Mash comic book set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe
Trailer
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