'Trap' A Review

Trap is a thriller about the attempted capture of serial killer 'The Butcher', Cooper(Josh Hartnett), at the concert of a famous pop star Lady Raven(Saleka Shyamalan) which Cooper brings his daughter Riley(Ariel Donoghue) to.

Hartnett in his first lead role in awhile gives a deliciously evil and complicated performance, balancing humor, heart, and threat with a sophistication that is quite frankly above the rest of the movies abilities or concerns. He's having fun, you can tell, but he also roots the character with realism, imbues him with genuine emotion(however perverted) really investigating what this guy would be like rather than a 2D killer. Shyamalan is OK but doesn't have the presence the role requires nor is she really able to match Hartnett's commitment. Donoghue is servicable but there's no scene where she has to really contend with any of the underlying truths of what's going on so she doesn't have much with which to stretch. Alison Pill and Hayley Mills are both inspired pieces of casting but neither is given enough to do.

The look and feel of the production is a bit uneven. The first hour plays almost exclusively like a concert film seemingly only to attempt to further writer/director M. Night's daughter's musical career. She's not untalented as a musician but all her songs and various dance numbers that are featured are distracting given the movie is not about her and Hartnett is clearly the more interesting character and performance. The second half of the movie is when it really starts going, there's more movement not only in the locations but in the story. The pacing is uneven as is the tone, it veers from straight-thriller to camp in an odd ADD kind of way, some of which is really effective. But overall you are left with a feeling of unfulfilled potential.

M. Night, like many auteurs of his generation, should no longer write his own scripts. He is still a craftsman, he still has a great eye for talent and knows how to put together a good looking movie but his screenwriting ability has fallen off. Where this movie fails is in the sporadically stilted dialogue and lack of narrative focus.

An excellent Hartnett elevates a wobbly script. Not a great movie but a mostly fun one.

Currently in theaters.

Rent It.