Director M. Night Shyamalan's sixteenth film, "Trap," produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, stars Josh Hartnett. The film draws inspiration from a 1985 law enforcement sting, Operation Flagship, which led to the arrest of 101 wanted fugitives at a convention center. The fugitives were promised complimentary NFL tickets and a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl XX. Shyamalan's take on the indecent follows a serial killer evading a police blockade while attending a concert with his daughter
Cooper Adams (Harnett), the epitome of an American family man, embarks on a journey with his daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue). Cooper's character development becomes a focal point as they head to the city for a concert featuring Riley's favorite singer, Lady Raven ( Saleka Night Shyamalan). His interaction with a talkative vendor, Jamie (Jonathan Langdon ), reveals a plan to catch a serial killer known as 'the Butcher.'
As the trailers have already revealed, Cooper is the notorious 'Butcher.' This revelation sets the stage for a gripping narrative, as he must now race against time, using his wits to protect his daughter's perception of him. He must also outsmart the law enforcement, led by the esteemed profiler Dr. Josephine Grant, played by Hayley Mills if he is to continue his criminal activities.
In reflecting on my initial exposure to director M. Night Shyamalan through his third film, "The Sixth Sense," I distinctly recall being among the minority who did not appreciate the movie. Notwithstanding this, his subsequent two endeavors, "Unbreakable" and "Signs," managed to captivate my interest. Regrettably, my enthusiasm waned following the release of "The Village" in 2004. Throughout the ensuing decade, each successive project failed to impress, diminishing my regard for the director.
However, Shyamalan regained his creative edge beginning with "The Visit" in 2015, and I've generally enjoyed his work since then. That said, the ace in the hole for "Trap" is Harnett, who makes a beautiful return to the villain role. As cinephiles know, Harnett broke through doing films aimed at the youth market. While Harnett always had a natural screen presence, it was not until the one-two punch of "O" and "Black Hawk Down" that I started to take him seriously. As our lead, Harnett skillfully juggles a "Jekyll & Hyde" style performance that could have quickly gone sideways.
However, the rest of the cast is on autopilot, unable to match Harnett's intensity. While the characters of Jamie and Riley serve their purpose, the film takes an unexpected turn in the third act, with Lady Raven becoming a central figure. Her presence significantly alters the film's momentum. Similarly, while Mills is a legend in her own right, her character adds a lull to the narrative. If Shyamalan had wanted to cast a thespian named Haley, I would have preferred he had brought back Haley Joel Osment's character of Cole Sear from "The Sixth Sense". '
Nevertheless, I recommend the film for what Hartnett brings to the table.
Final Grade: B-
"Trap" is in theaters now.
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