Halloween Hangover: Trick or Treats (1982)

Are you just now waking up from a candy coma?  You're in luck- here's my Halloween Review!  Since I was too busy doing that thing that allows me to own a Computer and run this Site, I got to watch the Film a bit late.  It's alright- the Film is enough of a disappointment to be kicked off of the actual day anyhow!  The Film- Trick or Treats.  This 1982 Slasher Comedy is not to be confused with 1986's Trick or Treat or 2007's Trick 'r' Treat either.  It's also not to be remembered, because...well, I'm covering it.  This is the tale of a crazy man who comes home on Halloween to get revenge.  No, he's not Michael Meyers- he's...that guy who's always small (but good) parts in John Carpenter Films.  He's Peter Jason, long-time Character Actor who you may know as one of the Doctors from Prince of Darkness or the Resistance Leader from They Live.  He's been in quite literally hundreds of other things, but I know what I know.  The Story here will feel familiar...at first.  Basically, the set-up is simple and good, but the execution is...well, bad.  To find out why you're better off for skipping this one this year, read on...

At some apparently in the 1970s, this guy is taken away by the Men in the White Coats that were called by his wife.  Comedy ensues.

Several years later, the Wife is an aspiring Actress and dating Steve Railsback...only he's always somewhere else, since I guess he's big enough to be a 'Guest Star' in the Film, but not on Set.

The man plans his escape on, of course, Halloween.  This leads to 'Comedy.'

The Wife is also a Babysitter for rich people.  In this case, it is...David Carradine, who was big enough to be a 'Guest Star,' but also not big enough to actually be on the Set.

'Comedy' and Padding ensues.

She's stuck babysitting his kid at their House and he's...a real dick.  The joke is that he plays pranks...but they run it into the ground.  A good half-hour of the Film is just this!

Meanwhile, the guy the Film is supposed to be about is...running around dressed as the Nurse until a Paul Bland Cameo.  Why not, I guess?

At nearly 75 minutes in, the guy finally shows up!  He thinks that he killed the kid, but he's actually just sleeping with the fake blood on his neck.  Comedy!

The man is stopped by the woman working with the kid.  They kill him with an apparently-lethal trick.  Alright.

Immediately afterwards, the kid looks at the knife, shrugs his shoulder and kills the babysitter.  Roll Credits.

What a waste.  In the words of the Internet, this is the candy corn of Halloween Horror Films.  I know you hate it (apparently), so I'm appeasing you.  My question- what is the point of this Film?  Is it a Comedy?  Is it Horror?  Is it a Satire?  Is it even a Halloween Film?  This kid is kind of a dick, so he'd play pranks on Babysitters on any night of the year.  Does he even need the Holiday?  The Film has only two real kills in it- not counting the above Freeze Frame- so is it even Horror?  Hell, he doesn't even kill the Nurse when he escapes.  Is it a Satire?  The Film plays the general thing straight, even if stupid stuff that is supposed to be funny happens.  Is it a Comedy?  Having Paul Bartel in your Film does not make you a Comedy inherently.  The rest of the Film is not funny.  The Film was apparently made for only $55,000 dollars- most of which was from the Director.  On top of that, the House they use belonged to the lady who played the Wife.  Given the fact that the Film even got made, I guess they sort of made this work.  All in all, the Film is just...just so bad.  Can you tell me something else to watch AND listen to, Film?

Next time, more random stuff that I feel like watching.  I'm sure that it will be...great.  Stay tuned...