Movies

Trap Still Offers a Few Pleasures Even If You Know Exactly Where It’s Going

BBG News

As a film enthusiast with over four decades of cinematic experiences under my belt, I must say that M. Night Shyamalan’s latest offering, “Trap,” is a rollercoaster ride that takes you through a blend of nostalgia and suspense, with a dash of the unexpected thrown in for good measure.

After three decades of M. Night Shyamalan’s filmmaking journey, it’s understandable to develop a somewhat fond yet skeptical attitude towards his movies, regardless of your past opinions – be they dislike or apathy. His films are typically brief, and on occasion, the plot twists can be quite intriguing. Shyamalan prefers building tension gradually rather than opting for graphic violence. He is a director who puts thought into his work, sometimes leading him to stumble in his enthusiasm to satisfy his audience.

Trap isn’t the most disliked movie from Shyamalan’s collection; it wouldn’t be considered the best either. Instead, it finds itself in a somewhat mediocre yet acceptable position, with an endearing quirkiness. The character of Cooper, played by Josh Hartnett, is a dedicated Philadelphia father who keeps his promise to his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue), taking her to see her favorite pop star, Lady Raven (portrayed by Saleka Shyamalan, the director’s daughter). During their journey to the concert venue and while inside, Cooper demonstrates exemplary fatherly behavior, such as buying a souvenir t-shirt and inquiring about contemporary slang. (Riley explains the meaning of crispy.) He also learns from a cheerful T-shirt vendor (Jonathan Langdon) that authorities have become aware that an elusive serial killer, infamously known as The Butcher, has a ticket for tonight’s event. The venue is heavily secured by police officers who are determined to apprehend the psychopath.

Read more: Every M. Night Shyamalan Twist, Ranked

In summary, the plot of Trap by M. Night Shyamalan is all you need to grasp. His direction is clear, with visible manipulation of elements like significant shots and emotional responses from characters. While predictable, there are still some unexpected twists on the journey. The story contains numerous improbabilities and excessive focus on the thoughts of criminals – a common Shyamalan trait. Kid Cudi appears in a glitzy cameo as The Thinker, a star bedazzled beyond belief. Saleka Shyamalan delivers a convincing performance as a pop sensation who can mesmerize crowds, though her ability to unintentionally catch serial killers may be less believable. Nevertheless, she tries her best. Lastly, Shane West excels in the dual roles of a loving, somewhat absurd father and someone capable of venturing into darker territories.

Back in my younger days, around 1965, if someone had told me that one day we’d all carry pocket-sized computers for communication, I would have found that believable. The idea of a billionaire without any qualifications becoming President might have seemed plausible too. But the thought of Hayley Mills from ‘The Parent Trap’, ‘The Trouble with Angels’, and ‘That Darn Cat!’ embracing a gritty, professional role as a relentless criminal profiler who uses electrically charged harpoons to capture criminals? That would have been hard for me to swallow. It’s one of the most intriguing aspects of ‘The Parent Trap’. But it’s still something.

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2024-08-02 23:06

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