Trees
(2001)
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| Directed by: |
Michael
Pleckaitis
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| Starring: |
Kevin
McCauley/Cody |
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Philip
Gardiner/Cooper |
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Peter
Randazzo/Squint |
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Raymond
Michaud/Mayor Swindell |
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| RATING
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PLOT-CRUNCH:
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The campgrounds of Hazelville are very
popular (everybody and their uncle hangs out there). But when a killer
tree starts hunting and eating the campers, it's up to Ranger Cody
(McCauley), tree hugger Cooper (Gardiner) and professional tree tracker
Squint (Randazzo) to put an end to it. Will the tree make like a leaf and
leave?
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THE
LOWDOWN: |
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Written and directed by Michael Pleckaitis,
Trees begins with a short message explaining how the film is an homage to
Spielberg’s classic film JAWS. Well, that message wasn’t kidding. The
level of enjoyment you will get watching this flick will be doubled if you
remember JAWS (I did…damn good movie). The plot is almost exactly the
same, some of the lines are the same (with some funny variations), Kevin
McCauley is a dead ringer for Roy Schneider (Brody, Cody…get it) and
even the score resembles the immortal JAWS theme.
This is a remake/parody
of JAWS but here’s the kicker: instead of a shark, it’s a man-eating
tree prowling about. That’s the film’s hook and it worked for me. I
watched this puppy with a few friends and we couldn’t stop laughing.
What makes the silly plot work is that the film and its characters don’t
acknowledge that its story is dumb as "Gump". In the world
of the film, man-eating trees are a common thing. Since the movie ignores
its own stupidity, it’s up to us, the viewers to point it out and man did
my boyz and I have a blast doing it. Personally I couldn’t stop giggling
and yelling: "But it’s a tree, godamn it!"
The movie’s strong
point is also its weak point: It follows JAWS way too closely. If you
haven’t seen Spielberg’s killer shark tale you will miss half the
jokes found in Trees and won't enjoy it as much. The film is talky (so was
JAWS) and since the action is identical to what happens in JAWS but played
on a smaller scale (instead of a boat chasing a shark, it’s a truck
chasing a tree) it’s not all that exciting. JAWS had some great shark
effects but Trees delivers…well…a tree (with a hidden guy moving it
around I presume). Trees should have gone on its own more often. Maybe
given us more tree mayhem and less talk. The talk worked for JAWS because
it was
a serious flick and it supported its build-up. But Trees needed more sight
gags and more action to liven the pace up a bit.
On a positive
note, once the end credits rolled I couldn’t deny that I had a blast with
Trees. It’s a great pre-going out flick! Pleckaitis has a deep affection
for Spielberg’s classic and that shines through the whole film. These
days I don’t see many films with a lot of heart behind them. This one is
all heart and an obvious labor of love. It doesn’t work a hundred
percent as a stand-alone film but as a companion piece to JAWS, it’s a
definite keeper. My homies and I are still quoting Trees left and right: "I’m
talking about hunting a great white pine"… funny shite! My advice:
get through this review and read my BOTTOM LINE very carefully…
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| ACTING: |
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Kevin McCauley (Cody) is bang on as the Ranger. He keeps a straight face
the whole time and delivers in the "tense" moments. Philip
Gardiner (Cooper) cracked my arse up as the tree hugger. He and McCauley
play off each other perfectly. Peter Randazzo (Squint) worked half the
time for me. He’s the only main character that bordered on caricature.
Sometimes I thought he tried too hard to be funny, therefore clashing with
the rest of the "dead pan" cast. Raymond Michaud (Mayor
Swindell) is perfectly cast as the Mayor who doesn’t care, I loved his
delivery. Mary Ann Nilan (Helen) doesn’t have much to do but kiss
McCauley on the cheek…she does it well…but I was waiting for that big
smooch. Just because the characters are married doesn’t mean they can’t
get it on! Lorne Lakin (Dusty) has his comical moments but he’s not in
the movie enough, I just didn’t get attached to him. Erin Reynolds
(Nancy) runs fast, has a beautiful smile and let's not walk around the
bush: has huge breasts! Great work girl! NOTE: Is it me or did all of the
actors look really bad in their close ups. Where was the makeup artist?
Drop that donut and do your job!
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| GORE: |
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Nothing to write home about. A cut-off arm here, some over the top red
squirts there. More bloodshed could have helped liven things up a bit.
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| T
& A: |
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Erin Reynolds (Nancy) keeps her melons covered but no tank top can hide
her humongous talents…both of them. We also get lots of naked trees.
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| DIRECTING: |
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Pleckaitis did his pre-prod, that’s fer sure. Every shot seems carefully
planned. He mirrors JAWS constantly and sure knows how to handle his
actors. I dug the tree POV shots and the stylish moments he slapped in
there. Nice work.
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| SOUNDTRACK: |
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First off, I have to comment on the scene where the three main characters
break into "Old McDonald". It’s freaking hilarious! Great
energy in that scene! The score itself by Tom Destephano is very catchy
and my friends and I were humming it the whole night. After the movie, we
all hit a dance club…try picking up chicks chanting a JAWS like theme…it
worked for us.
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| BOTTOM LINE: |
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Trees is a wonderful homage to JAWS and one intentionally
silly movie. It felt good to laugh. Now here’s my priceless advice: Get
a few friends over, rent Jaws, get Trees and set yourself up for a double
bill of terror and giggles. A six-pack of any kind of beer can help and
some hot broads (or dudes) cuddling to you never hurt anybody either. It’s
that kind of an evening guys and dolls. "I’m talking about hunting
a great white pine!"… lol lol lol…. I just can’t get over that
damn line…
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| BULL'S EYE: |
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Be on the lookout for two sequels coming your way soon: Trees 2: The Root
Of All Evil and Trees 3: The Search For Cody (an homage to Star Trek 3: The
Search For Spock, perhaps?)
For more info on the film check out
the official site at: www.treesthemovie.com.
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this movie on The Arrow's HORROR BOARD
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