There are good movies, there are bad movies, and then there is Troll 2.
Warranting a classification all its own, Troll 2 creeped onto store shelves and HBO in the fall of 1992 with neither marketing nor a studio push. Filmed by an Italian director, the film featured new actors, a low budget, and a horrifically painful story. Seventeen years later, the film unearthed a cult following like nothing anyone had seen before.
Produced and directed by the film's original lead, Michael Stephenson, Best Worst Movie is a fascinating look inside the biggest and weirdest cult following in cinematic history.
Catching up with the film's stars, most of which never returned to acting, Best Worst Movie takes audiences on a hilarious ride through the revival of the film. From midnight screenings all across the country to conventions and promotional tables, we get to hang out with Michael and company as they attempt to understand and accept their film's success.
I applaud Stephenson for facing the criticism that comes with being a part of Troll 2 and practically turning the tables on the critics and giving them something to really laugh about. It is a bit of a shame that he stays behind the camera so much, often turning it over to his on-screen father George Hardy. But his absence does make his unexpected returns all the more enjoyable.
As for the original cast, they remind me of a bag of Halloween candy where you are never quite sure what you will pull out. Margo Prey and director Claudio Fragasso are complex in nature, never fully understanding the cult-success of the film. Prey goes as far as to compare the film to Casablanca without the slightest hint of irony. Hmm"¦? I thought then, and I still think now, that she would have been better suited in a mental institution than edited in for some timely (and hilarious) laughs. But then again, what do I know?
George Hardy is easily the most personable of the cast. He is the film's central narrator, attending the screenings, participating in the Q&A sessions, and really buying into the craze. His daughter in the film, played by Connie McFarland, won't even put Troll 2 on her resume "“ an iconic move for any actor nowadays and a hilarious constant reference point throughout the film.
The real win for Best Movie Ever however, is the way that Stephenson places Troll 2 in the right context. Exploring both the cult fan base and the original actors, Stephenson is able to bring a humane aspect to the film. Granted it isn't anything extraordinary, it is something worth noting. Troll 2 stars ordinary people, all of whom were affected by the process of making the film.
Best Worst Movie is one of the most entertaining documentaries I have seen in years. It flies by without the slightest drag and proves that no matter the situation, there is a silver lining. Stephenson transforms cinematic trash into cinematic gold "“ all the while moving his iconic debut up from #1 to #58 on IMDB's list of worst films of all time. Job well done!
