‘The Mouse Trap’ Review: You’d Be Surprised How Unexciting a Man-Sized Killer Rodent Can Be

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As a movie reviewer who’s seen more horror films than I care to count, including the dreadful “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,” I approached “The Mouse Trap” with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The prospect of a public domain Disney character getting the slasher treatment had me intrigued, but I also braced myself for another cash grab that would leave me feeling cheated.

2023 marked the surprising unraveling of one of the most closely guarded corporate empires, Disney’s intellectual property related to Mickey Mouse, as it unexpectedly entered the public domain. In legal terms, the copyright protection for the first three Mickey Mouse shorts from 1928 has expired under current U.S. laws. Interestingly, this is similar to what happened two years ago with A.A. Milne’s beloved characters like Winnie-the-Pooh, which led to a controversial horror film titled “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.

The film “Blood and Honey,” directed by Jamie Bailey and starring Simon Phillips, aimed to transform its controversial idea into something as popular as a viral sensation. Thanks to pre-release internet buzz, the movie achieved an impressive financial success given its small budget. However, viewers might have found the actual viewing experience less appealing. Contrary to earlier expectations, “Mouse Trap” did not make its North American cinema debut this year as planned; instead, it was released on home formats several months later. The film is now available for streaming on Tubi, although the extended “Director’s Cut” that was promised hasn’t been delivered yet, and it’s unclear if anyone is eagerly waiting for it.

The game titled “Mouse Trap” starts off with an amusing legal disclaimer unfolding like the start of “Star Wars,” accompanied by pompous background music, which lasts for a prolonged 90 seconds – a hint that we’re in store for a leisurely experience where the limited concepts will be overstretched. In a suburban gaming arcade, manager Tim (Phillips) instructs employees Alex (Sophie McIntosh) and Jayna (Madeline Kelman) to work late as there’s an unexpected private party booking. The news is met with audible sighs, somewhat soothed by the prospect of receiving double pay.

After that, the middle-aged man named Tim steps into the modest screening room within the facility, deciding to watch an old 8mm reel of “Steamboat Willie.” This short film with synchronized sound, released towards the end of 1928, marked a significant breakthrough for Disney. Although Mickey Mouse’s first stand didn’t occur in this short – “Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin’ Gaucho” were made earlier that year but only released later after “Willie’s” triumph when they added sound – a Mickey Mouse mask from a memorabilia cabinet seems to hypnotize Tim, compelling him to put it on and… well, let’s just say he was instructed to do something violent. This is a horror movie, so it makes sense, right?

Previously abandoned by Jayna for a romantic rendezvous, Alex is performing cleaning tasks when she notices a suspicious figure loitering by an entrance. Frightened, she rushes headlong into a group of eight friends – it turns out they were clandestine attendees, planning to surprise her with a birthday celebration. Initially too terrified to speak about the ominous presence she’d just evaded, she remains silent until two of them venture off in search of a private spot for some privacy. They suddenly disappear, causing the others to realize that all the exits have been blocked and their phones have been pilfered. At first suspecting each other of practical jokes, they eventually comprehend they are confronting a lethal entity capable of vanishing and reappearing at will. This sequence of events is later recounted by Rebecca (played by Mackenzie Mills), a miraculous survivor, during an interview with police detectives Damir Kovic and Nick Biskupek on the same night.

Apart from the finale, it turns out that she isn’t the only one who has escaped. However, the fate of other potential survivors remains a mystery. At times, the dialogue in “The Mouse Trap” seems to mock its own implausible scenarios and logical loopholes, as well as the conventions of the genre itself. Yet, there’s minimal evidence of this satirical self-awareness in the direction or acting. Contrary to expectations for a slasher film, “The Mouse Trap” is surprisingly subdued. It takes a full hour before any graphic onscreen violence appears, and the deaths lack creativity or excitement. So, one might wonder, what’s the purpose?

Filmed in a spacious arcade in Ottawa, the movie skillfully incorporates its vibrant colors, flashing lights, and assorted gadgets to create an engaging atmosphere. The cinematography by Bailey is commendable, as is his editing. However, the film lacks a sense of suspenseful intensity, either in isolated scenes or overall, leading one to question whether the creative process was rushed or disregarded in certain unexplained decisions. For example, Rebecca’s police interrogators don’t challenge her about memories and conversations she wasn’t actually present for. The actors deliver satisfactory performances, with Callum Sywyk and Ben Harris receiving significant screen time, aside from McIntosh as Alex’s intellectual and antagonistic suitors. Yet, they are given limited opportunities to showcase their talents.

In summary, “Mouse Trap” offers a predictably proficient presentation, though it’s less agonizing than “Blood and Honey.” However, these types of films often mislead by teasing brutal amusement based on popular franchises, only to deliver disappointingly little in return. It’s essential to exercise caution due to potential copyright issues with Disney. Despite featuring someone in a character mask wielding a large knife, this is a weak attempt at reimagining pop culture icons, offering no mimicry of the signature squeaky voice or any references to other elements within the Disney universe. The overall impression is similar to a joke with an intriguing setup but lacking a satisfying punchline. (Note: I avoid using “Mickey Mouse” in this discussion out of respect for potential copyright concerns.)

Although there’s talk of a follow-up titled “Welcome to the Mickeyverse”, it seems that we can also expect upcoming projects such as “Bambi: The Reckoning” and “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”. Additionally, this year saw the release of “Blood and Honey 2”, which was said to surpass its predecessor. The team behind “Mouse Trap” has already introduced a new movie titled “What Lurks Beneath”, a supernatural submarine story that may not be fantastic, but it’s an improvement. One can only hope for a creative and engaging public domain horror spinoff in the future. For now, these films seem to serve as a stepping stone for filmmakers, offering them widespread recognition at a low cost, though the viewers might find themselves somewhat disappointed with the outcome.

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2024-12-24 03:17