The Mouse trap

The Mouse trap, directed by Jamie Bailey and written by Simon Phillips, is part of a growing trend of horror films that seek to capitalize on beloved characters in the public domain by transforming them into grotesque figures of terror. Following in the footsteps of films such as Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, this film attempts to transform the iconic Mickey Mouse into a horror movie villain. However, while the premise may sound intriguing on paper, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a film that is both uninspired and forgettable.

The story centers on Tim, played by Simon Phillips, director of FunHaven, a vast indoor amusement center. Tim is a die-hard Mickey Mouse fan, and when he indulges in a private screening of the classic 1928 cartoon Steamboat Willie on his Super 8 projector, something goes terribly wrong. The film possesses him, transforming Tim into a murderous version of Mickey, complete with mouse mask and the ability to teleport. From then on, Tim embarks on a series of murders on the FunHaven premises, targeting a group of revelers who have gathered for an after-hours party.

The main protagonist, Alex, played by Sophie McIntosh, works at FunHaven with her colleague Jayna, played by Madeline Kelman. What begins as a routine night of cleaning quickly turns into a nightmare when Tim, now possessed and masked, forces the employees to stay for a last-minute party. The night takes a dark turn when Alex's friends surprise her with a birthday party, but the festivities are interrupted by Tim's murderous rampage.

The film introduces a host of secondary characters, each with minimal development and seemingly included only to increase the body count. Ryan, played by Ben Harris, is the obnoxious, self-absorbed party boy seeking Alex's attention, while Marcus, played by Callum Sywyk, is the shy childhood friend secretly in love with her. Unfortunately, these and the other characters are little more than stereotypes, their fates sealed from the moment they appear on screen.

One of the most glaring problems with The Mouse Trap is its lack of creativity. The murders, which should be the highlight of any horror film, are bland and uninspired. There's no attempt to inject originality into the deaths, which gives the impression of a checklist that the filmmakers must reluctantly go through. The concept of a killer with teleportation powers could have added an element of suspense and unpredictability, but instead it's underused, serving only as a gimmick rather than a genuinely terrifying aspect of the character.

The film's narrative structure is another weak point. The story is punctuated by scenes featuring Rebecca, the sole survivor of the massacre, played by Mackenzie Mills. She is interrogated by Detectives Cole, played by Damir Kovic, and Marsh, played by Nick Biskupek. Although these scenes attempt to add a layer of mystery and tension, they ultimately feel disconnected from the main plot. Rebecca's calm, calculating behavior in the face of questions could have made for an interesting character study, but instead it comes across as an afterthought, a way of filling time rather than deepening the story.

The film's pacing is equally problematic. The first act drags as it introduces the characters and setting, only to rush into the second and third acts. The sudden shift from setup to slasher action leaves the audience bewildered, and the lack of build-up diminishes any potential suspense. By the time the film reaches its abrupt, unsatisfying conclusion, it feels as if the filmmakers have simply given up, leaving unresolved questions and intrigue in their wake.

What's more, the film's tone is inconsistent. At times, the film seems to veer towards self-aware horror, as evidenced by a jokey opening disclaimer that attempts to distance the film from any potential legal repercussions from Disney. However, this attempt at humor is short-lived, and the film quickly devolves into a banal slasher that takes itself far too seriously. Occasional nods to horror movie clichés, such as Marcus' awareness of the genre's formula, fall flat and fail to inject any levity or intelligence into the proceedings.

Visually, The Mouse trap hardly stands out. The film is shot in a generic style, with uninspired cinematography and dull special effects. The use of strobe lighting as the killer's weak point is a tired trope that adds nothing to the film's atmosphere or tension. FunHaven's sets, while potentially interesting, aren't fully utilized, leaving the viewer wondering what might have been with more creative sets and staging.

In terms of performances, the actors do what they can with the material available. Sophie McIntosh, as Alex, is quite decent, but her character lacks the depth or strength to make her truly memorable. Simon Phillips, who also wrote the screenplay, seems to be having fun in his role as the possessed Tim, but even his performance fails to elevate the film beyond mediocrity.

The Mouse trap is a missed opportunity. What could have been an intelligent, subversive interpretation of an iconic character turns out to be a dull, uninspired horror film that fails to deliver on any of its promises. The filmmakers seem more interested in keeping audiences curious than in creating a genuinely frightening or entertaining film. As it stands, The Mouse trap is nothing more than a footnote in the ever-growing list of forgettable horror films, bringing nothing new or exciting to the genre. Those looking for a fresh, inventive take on the slasher formula had better look elsewhere.

The Mouse Trap
Directed by Jamie Bailey
Written by Simon Phillips
Based on Steamboat Willie by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks
Produced by Jamie Bailey, Simon Phillips
Starring Sophie McIntosh, Callum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Ben Harris, Mireille Gagné, Mackenzie Mills, James Laurin, Kayleigh Styles, Jesse Masmith, Madeline Kelman, Damir Kovic, Nick Biskupek, Simon Phillips
Cinematography : Jamie Bailey
Edited by Jamie Bailey
Music by Darren Morze
Production companies : Into Frame Productions, Bailey Phillips Productions
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures (United States)
Release date : August 6, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 80 minutes

Viewed on August 10 2024 on VOD

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