Sunday, September 20, 2015

Hellions Will Leave Your Trick-or-Treat Bag Empty: A Film Review

Director: Bruce McDonald.

Writer: Pascal Trottier.

Cast: Chloe Rose, Robert Patrick, Rossif Sutherland and Rachel Wilson.

Hellions was developed by two brilliant minds. Bruce McDonald was the director of the very tense zombie film Pontypool (2009), starring Stephen McHattie. Pascal Trottier wrote one of this film fans favourite scripts - from 2013, with The Colony. However, the imagination and creativity is mostly missing in this Halloween set thriller. Barely a horror film, Hellions lacks any complex scenes and action elements are almost completely forgotten. Much of the film simply follows Dora (Chloe Rose) through one setting, until the eyelids grow heavy and the stop button beckons. Hellions belongs at the bottom of the DVD store shelf.

The story is not inventive. Dora is a young woman struggling with teen pregnancy. She looks forlorn in many of her early scenes. But, events pick-up when the trick-or-treaters come out, on Halloween. They come knocking on Dora's home, but she does not have the holiday spirit. Soon, the miniature Halloweeners are playing tricks on Dora, including a bag full of gore. Once they are in the house, events pick up, a little. But events die down quickly and there is no real frenetic action here, nor terror.

The screen offers a lot of wasted space. There is no meta level to the story as shown with the camera, or told in the story. For instance, one scene shows a young boy, preparing for Halloween. In the foreground, the screen is shared with a jar of buttons. What relation do buttons have with the film? None. A halloween mask or sharp knife could have been shot here, to amplify the diminishing tension. In another scene, Dora runs up to a mirror. Two thirds of the screen is simply shot in darkness, with much of the screen, again, being wasted. A flashing lamp or something else could have created some visual cues or heightened the weakening chaos. The lack of interesting scene direction and set-up creates for a disappointing visual experience.

A horror film requires conflict. Conflict can sometimes be developed with the use of action, or difficult interaction. The action elements are relegated to a single kitchen scene, which involves some throwing of items. This scene was intriguing as the child actor appeared to be a dancer as she dexterously avoided being hit. However, this is the only action scene in an eighty minute film. Interactions are relegated to a few scenes between Dora and her doctor. She also briefly works with a local sheriff, to fend off the child killers. Conflicting interactions, including murder, appear off-screen. There are few exciting moments within Hellions and even fewer scares. Most real life Halloween celebrations offer more terror than the film.

To take in Hellions is much like drinking a watered down coffee. The intake is mostly bitter and the effects are underwhelming. As well, the film comes across as being underdeveloped. Either the film was underprepared for or something went wrong in the creative process. Or, the film might have been developed as a simple money making venture. As it is, Hellions should be avoided, just like that dark house on Halloween night; there is no candy here.

Overall: 5 out of 10.

The film's trailer is much better than the actual product:

A Hellions Trailer on 28DLA


Recommended release: Trick 'r Treat at Amazon


Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis 28 Days Later Analysis Email Subscription

0 comments: