Trick or Treat

'Trick or Treat' is not just another horror slasher film. It touches on many different elements, such as bullying, rejection, idolizing pop stars, and more.

I love this film for so many reasons. The bullying plays a big role, and would ultimately lead to interesting character development. It's always nice to see bullies get what the deserve! Marc Price gives a very good performance as Eddie, a nerdish metalhead who also goes by the name of Ragman, who is obsessed with rock superstar Sammi Curr. His character develops into a hero, who would risk his own life to save others.

The film features some very cool visuals, and excellent make-up. I loved the rock music, and the way the film unfolded. It becomes an action-packed race for survival, and along the way we're treated to some incredible visual and special effects. 'Trick or Treat' is great fun!

Walkmans, cassettes, cassette recorders... aah, man I loved the 80's!! Look out for a cameo by Ozzy Osbourne as a Reverend condemning rock music...!

Would I watch it again? Yes! (wonder how many times I've seen it already...)

I noticed many of the comments on this movie came from people who saw it during the last five years and bought it out of a bargain bin of $5 or $6 DVDs. I saw it when it came out in 1986 and was quite entertained. I learned long ago when it comes to watching horror flicks, you can't take them seriously. In this case, it's simply a sign of the times. During the 1980s when the concern over music's lyrics was at it's peak and Tipper Gore was on her PMRC crusade, this movie fit perfectly.

Please don't judge it in the 21st century. That's why you haven't seen it in a bargain bin until now. It just doesn't fit anymore. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 for its entertainment value.

There's always been a marriage between horror and heavy metal, so it's surprising that they aren't many horror films featuring metal as the subject- but Trick or Treat is one of the few, and it is quite enjoyable film about a bullied teen finding solace in METAL, but his obsession can be fatal. With certain bands at the time, such as Judas Priest, accused of putting subliminal messages on their records, this film touches upon that as well.

The story-Eddie Weinbauer, an '80s metalhead teen who is bullied at school, looks to his heavy metal superstar idol, Sammi Curr, for guidance. When Curr is killed in a hotel fire, Eddie becomes the recipient of the only copy of Curr's unreleased album, which, when played backwards, brings Sammi back to life. As Halloween approaches, Eddie begins to realize that this isn't only rock 'n roll...it's life and death.

The film also stars Ozzy Osbourne as a preacher (!), Gene Simmons as the DJ telling the teen not to take music too seriously - but it's Marc Price who steals the show as a bullied lone teen.

It might not be a classic, but it's a better film than what it's made out to be. Sure, there's cheesiness, but that's part of the appeal. It's an enjoyable slice of 80's pie, love the fashion, the big hair, and the soundtrack by Fastway, Only Child, and others, rocks!!

TRICK OR TREAT is a fine example of Hollywood jumping on the "backwards messages in metal music" bandwagon that Tipper Gore and her Washington Wives kick-started in the mid-'80s (other, less successful entries in this mini-genre include the awful BLACK ROSES and silly THE GATE). I was a sophomore in high school when TRICK OR TREAT came out and couldn't wait to see it. It seemed to disappear from video stores by the end of the '80s, but I finally picked up a budget-priced DVD copy a short while ago and it brought back many pleasant metal memories from back in the day. Any teenage metal nerd could relate to the trials of Eddie "Ragman" Weinbauer (Marc Price of "Family Ties")in this film as he is persecuted by the preppie "beautiful" people in his high school for his heavy metal fashions and musical taste. Eddie's favorite rock star is Sammi Curr (who looks a lot like Tommy Lee of Motley Crue), who is killed in a hotel fire early in the movie. Eddie is inconsolable till he receives a test pressing of Sammi's final, unreleased album from a radio DJ (Gene Simmons of Kiss in a brief cameo). Eddie soon discovers that this LP, when played backwards, allows him to communicate with the undead spirit of Sammi Curr himself! Soon Sammi is giving Eddie advice on how to get even with his preppie torturers but when the messages escalate in scariness ("Waste'em ALL... no false metal!") Eddie tries to destroy the album, which results in Sammi coming back to life via Eddie's stereo speakers. Sammi rampages to the big dance at Eddie's high school and takes the stage to rock the crowd and disintegrate a few unlucky "false metallers" before Eddie arrives to save the day and the girl of his dreams. (SIGH) No, it's not terribly scary in 2006, it wasn't even scary in 1986, but TRICK OR TREAT is a movie that will bring a smile to the face of any 1980s metaller and has a kick-ass soundtrack courtesy of the cult band Fastway. Well worth seeking out if you've ever banged your head or have a taste for B-grade horror movies (or both, like me).

This movie is a gem, not talked about as much and should of got more recognition than it did this movie deserves another look. Very rare that you rock legends in the same movie such as, Ozzie Osborne and Gene Simmons.