A Reel Review: TRAP

Ever since THE SIXTH SENSE (1999), the films of M. Night Shyamalan have been unfairly judged by the expected big twist ending. Even some of his best works, such as SIGNS (2002), and UNBREAKABLE (2000), are often considered letdowns because they didn’t repeat the SIXTH SENSE twist. It’s like judging your meal on the quality of the dessert alone. With his newest film, TRAP, M. Night once again asks us to consider the entire plate. 

 

Cooper (Josh Hartnett), is a serial killer who takes his young daughter (Ariel Donoghue), to a concert featuring her favorite performer, Lady Raven. Once at the venue, Cooper finds out that the entire concert was set up to catch him. 

 

TRAP starts right away with a disadvantage, as Cooper’s secret life as a serial killer is given away early in the film (or even months ago, in the trailers), so the film is left filling time with Cooper avoiding the law and keeping his secret from his daughter. It becomes a witty cat-and-mouse game, with Cooper sneaking around the bowels of the stadium and even weaseling his way into the backstage and making friends with Lady Raven. 

 

What should be a film loaded with tension just comes off as dull. The identity of Cooper being known means we are sitting around waiting for the other characters to catch up to what we already know. Some films can get away with this, but the energy just isn’t there. The film drags on from scenario to scenario with no sense of urgency. Worse, it is very straightforward with little surprises. It’s a bore. 

 

There is still some to enjoy here. Acting is excellent, and M. Night films a great looking movie. His camerawork is excellent, and the large crowd scenes and coordination is impressive. The idea of an entire concert put on to catch one guy seems silly on paper, but eventually makes sense. 

 

Josh Hartnett is outstanding, showing a troubled and twisted man. It’s one of his best works and the film is carried by him. Also standing out is young Ariel Donoghue, and Saleka Shyamalan (daughter of M. Night). 

 

The question everyone wants answered is, is there a twist ending? Sort of. It’s more of a light surprise in a film that is very light on surprises. The wrap-up feels like it takes forever, and for a movie that runs only 105 minutes, it feels longer. TRAP is a film that is carried by its lead actor and that gives it a lot of points, but overall, this time it’s the main course and not the dessert that deducts the score. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it