DVD Corner

Trap 4K UHD Review

“Trap” is a new M. Night Shyalaman film. Make of that as you will.

In 2024’s “Trap,” the story revolves around a firefighter/family man (Cooper) taking his daughter (Riley) to a Lady Raven concert. Cooper, however, has an extreme dark side and is in fact the notorious serial killer known as The Butcher (although neither his family nor anyone else knows his identity). The Butcher even has someone locked up in a room during the concert. Upon arrival, Cooper discovers that the concert is actually a trap for the killer set by the FBI and police and that FBI Profiler Dr. Grant is overseeing the operation. Now, Cooper has to outwit the cops, gather intel, cause distractions, and plot an escape, but the story might not end there.

For decades now writer/director M. Night Shyamalan has been telling “twist” stories. While it may have worked wonders for films like “The Sixth Sense,” he’s arguably had more misses than hits. While “Trap” certainly does have twists, it doesn’t rely on a twist ending like many of his stories. This is more of a “Silence Of The Lambs” esque cat-and-mouse thriller albeit not a very good one. In typical Shyamalan fashion, the film is riddled with cringe dialogue, a lack of tension, a wasted premise, an obligatory M. Night cameo, inept characters (see the police), and numerous false endings that cause the movie to drag on and on. M. Night even threatens the audience with a sequel. More than that though, the movie is simply pure nepotism as it’s obvious M. Night wanted to showcase his daughter (Saleka Night) as the fictional pop star Lady Raven. Saleka co-wrote the songs (which are generic background noise) and also stars in the film (she can’t act). 

Josh Hartnett has had a long and varied career and it was fascinating to see him try a different sort of role as the deranged Cooper. Alas, the role seems a little out of his range here as his performance is quite over-the-top and not remotely subtle. It looks like he’s having fun, but it just doesn’t work in the context of the film. Ariel Donoghue gives the most convincing performance here as the pop music loving teen daughter Riley. Perhaps the most out of left field cast member here is Hayley Mills as FBI Profiler Dr. Grant. She does a fine job but isn’t on screen much.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p. How does it look? Expect a pristine print.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? Immersive like a concert.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* 3 deleted scenes and an extended concert scene of “Where Did She Go.”
* “Setting The Trap: A New M. Night Shyamalan Experience”- A brief 4 minute featurette with interviews, set footage, and story and character discussions.
* “Saleka As Lady Raven”- A featurette on Saleka playing Lady Raven and working with her father.

November 1, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Josh Hartnett, M. Night Shyamalan, thriller, Trap 4K UHD Review, Trap Movie