Treehouse could have been handled a lot better than this.

by Martin Hafer

The best thing about Treehouse is the horrifying poster that came out along with the movie. Whoever made the poster did a great job of getting the attention of any potential viewer and it’s incredibly creepy. Otherwise, however, it’s a movie I just cannot recommend. In so many ways, it looks a lot like a high school student project, but with quite a bit more money and quality behind it.

Treehouse
Directed by
Michael G. Bartlett
Cast
J. Michael Trautmann, Dana Melanie, Clint James
Release Date
20 February 2015
Martin’s Grade: D

Treehouse has a very simple plot. Two brothers go into the woods and once there they discover a missing teen. She’s been holed up inside a treehouse for several days…hiding from someone or something that has been stalking her and her brother. At times the film tries to introduce more plot through some flashbacks, but essentially this is the plot. Ultimately, there is a showdown–some of which I actually liked, as the most unlikely looking action hero of all time (J. Michael Trautmann) rises to the occasion.

So why am I cold about this film? Well, it looks and sounds like the movie just isn’t ready to be seen by the public. The script could use a lot of work. When it comes to the dialog, much of it just sounded unreal and takes you out of the experience…especially with the missing girl continually and inexplicably calling the hero ‘Baby Bear.’
*****
The characters also talk and scream a lot for folks hiding out in a treehouse in order to avoid being killed!! Rule number one of avoiding death is that you should consider being quiet when you are hiding from psycho killers! The film is also overlong and would benefit from omitting the flashbacks, tightening up the first portion and simply concentrating on the action. In fact, it was a bit better during some of the action sequences.

Considering that the filmmakers really haven’t a lot of experience, maybe this film is simply a way for them to hone their skills while making a few mistakes along the way. If so, there is a bit of promise and they might be bringing us something more polished and viewer-ready in the future. As for Treehouse, however, I just can’t see spending your hard-earned money to buy or rent the film when there are better films like it already.