PLOT
Michael Stephenson, the kid from TROLL 2 aka the
“Best worst movie” ever made, presents this documentary
on the film that became the hallmark for the worst and smelliest of
cinematic shit
REVIEW
Have you ever walked down the street
and seen a dog squeeze out a steaming pile on the sidewalk? It's
disgusting to even read it, but there's high probability that you'd
probably find it funny to watch, and even if you didn't surely
there's plenty of others who would. Now, imagine taking that turd and
polishing it to the point where people fall in love it and gradually
becomes subject to idolatry
That's TROLL 2
A movie so fucking bad, that back in
the early 90's when I came into possession of an original pristine
vhs copy, I was so overwhelmed by how putrid it was that I taped over
it with episodes of THE SIMPSONS and threw the box in the garbage.
Imagine my complete astonishment when TROLL 2 became a “cult”
film and is shown to sold-out audiences in theaters. It rules the
internet with memes and youtube hits, mass fandom erupted and next
thing you know people all over the world are elbowing their buddy
next to them with every visit to that little town called “Nilbog”
The reality though, is a polished turd,
is still a turd
Michael Stephenson, who portrayed
little Joshua in TROLL 2, directed this documentary, he covers
the production of the film, it's fan-base , and most crucially,
revisits most of the major players involved in the making of the
movie. The main focus is on George Hardy, who played Michael's
father, we see him as a very affable man, loved by his community, and
actually making a decent living for himself as a dentist. The rest of
the actors are profiled and interviewed on their own respective
experiences, but for the bulk of the documentary we follow Mr. Hardy
as he relishes and partakes in his new-found fame as the domineering
father leery of his son pissing on hospitality
The fans of TROLL 2 are front and
center as well, we see them participating in screenings, social
gatherings, making costumes, getting tattoos, they're from all over
the globe, all blessed by the bellyaching the movie creates in their
stomachs. I am terribly divided, for I appreciate the positivity that
is present with the way people laugh at this film, we could never
have enough laughter, it really is the best medicine, and there is a
collective base that loves coming together to celebrate that
On the other hand, I am also despondent
with how willing people are to worship complete crap
While I do believe that TROLL 2's fame was born
through good intentions, some of it was also formed out fratboy
internet-fame jackassery, you know the kind, the same that made a god
out of Chuck Norris when he's barely a notch above Michael Dudikoff.
I don't want to come across as a sourpuss, I love to laugh at
terrible movies myself, I've done that with MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE
to MAC & ME and had an uproarious time doing so, but I never
wanted to form a fan club or stitch my own MANOS poncho
What I'm
getting at, is that it's nice to see that level of devotion, but not
when it's aimed in the wrong direction, especially when people like
John Landis and John Carpenter can't find a pot to piss in nowadays. Anybody ever heard of THE WARD? It's Carpenter's last film, in all
likelihood there's more people who have favorited “OH MY GAAAAHD”
than know that film exists
But anyways, thankfully BEST WORST
MOVIE doesn't showcase those kind of fans and only show the
kind that finally brought a meaningful legitimacy to those affected
most by TROLL 2: the cast. The cast of TROLL 2 are shown bewildered
by how much they are loved and greeted with praise, every handshake
and autograph request atoning for every bad memory of having 'been a
part of that past job best left forgotten
Every actor gives some level
of insight into the making of the film, as well as the ramifications of
having 'been a part of it. Director Claudio Fragasso is also present so
he can contradict his cast in public and call them “dogs”.
Fragasso is sort of a pompous egg, completely clueless to the nature
of his film's reputation, and not a likeable guy in my eyes. The cast
is not the only one that feels the brunt, in a Q&A he shuts a fan
down as knowing “nothing”, the crowd could only politely laugh at how dismissive he was, I'm sure if they could take back the standing ovation they would. If you're going to be a dick to people
that love your work when it really doesn't deserve it in the first
place, then keep your ass home in Italy Claudio
At one point we follow George Hardy as
he tries to follow up on his TROLL 2 popularity by making convention
appearances. As a convention veteran, I've seen and met many genre
luminaries that cons offer, it can be quite exciting, it can also be
depressing. For every Robert Englund and Bruce Campbell there's also
the under-worked, the forgotten, the not-so-liked that sit at tables
hoping and praying that someone will show any interest in an 8x10 and
have them flex those motionless fingers for an autograph
George
Hardy attends a convention in the UK and gets a vicious slap of
reality when he is pretty much invisible to everyone, another
appearance at a Horror con here in the US the slap stings even more
as he is not only once again craving someone to notice him but he is
forced to proclaim out loud the great distinction between himself and
Horror fans. George Hardy is but a guest in our own wonderful twisted world, It's no place for him, it turns him off, the
blood and guts, the monsters, the horrible dental hygiene that surely made for a very heavy aroma caused by bad breath that only a dentist could detect
He should be used to the stench, I mean
he was in TROLL 2
THE GOOD
.George Hardy – The perfect candidate
to follow on this documentary, he's likeable, a pretty nice guy and
he can treat your cavities
.The cast is finally rewarded – It's
good to see them getting actual payoff, even if it's just a bit here
and there that flattery must be worth more than gold to them
.This is the pinnacle of TROLL 2's fame
– Documentary's 'been made, there's nowhere else to go, a “sequel”
is hinted at but for the love of fuck let it all end here, let's move
on to better movies please
THE BAD
.Claudio – It was commendable how
in-depth this documentary was and for that purpose the director had
to be featured, but I could have done without him
.Compares with Humphrey Bogart and
Katherine Hepburn? - …... ...
THE FINAL CURTAIN
Decent documentary that represents how
far something can go even if it has very little to offer, and how it
can still be cherished. If you're unfamiliar with TROLL 2 it's
trivial to watch, unless you are and you're curious to see the film's
captivation with fans
RATING 6
