You have to give it to Wesley Mellott. He brings his A game to what has been a pretty fun set up for a potential series of films or even a feature. While I’m always a Sam devotee, I could see The Magician becoming one of the many Halloween horror icons. He’s just such a great character. Donning a top hat and tuxedo, he also dons a great skull visage that may or may not be a well detailed mask. Either way, The Magician takes Halloween deathly serious and doesn’t mind offing anyone that doesn’t respect the rituals of the holiday.
Andrew Glessner plays the character with so much menace and mystique that he’s an utterly terrifying trickster. And if you plan to live to see after Halloween, you’d best give him a treat. In this follow up, director and writer Wesley Mellott opts to create a longer more detailed short with a bigger build up to the chaos that inevitably ensues. This one is also set on Halloween night where former college jock Nick decides to throw a Halloween party/college reunion. Couple Todd and Amber are dreading the party as Amber has outgrown her childishness while Nick is still stuck in the past.
As the obnoxious nick intrudes on them and antagonizes Amber, the Magician appears to deliver his deadly antics to the party goers. “Trick or Treat 2!” is longer thus feels more like a feature than the first one, which felt more like a bit than anything else. I love the first one, but the sequel really adds some layers to the Magician character. As well it sets up interesting characters (with great collective performances by the cast), and maintains the Halloween aura that the original established so well.
“Trick or Treat 2!” is a gruesome and satisfying follow up to the first short and I’d love to see The Magician pop up in a feature somewhere down the road. He has enough of a personality to warrant it.