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May 24, 2010 By Peter Nichols Web Exclusive

For a generation weaned on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and the pop culture rummage sale that is the collected works of Quentin Tarantino, the legend of Troll 2 is as much surprising as it is inevitable. A 20-year-old, Z-grade horror feature made by Italians and denied a theatrical release, Troll 2 (which, incidentally, isn’t actually a sequel to 1986’s Troll; it was originally titled Goblin and underwent a name change to cash in) is known by film junkies as one of the biggest cinematic disasters this side of Ed Wood. But, much like Wood’s Plan 9, the sheer off-the-wall audacity and amateurish enthusiasm of the movie have fostered a cult audience that has grown exponentially in recent years. But what is it about Troll 2 that engenders this rabid enthusiasm?

Best Worst Movie, the documentary debut of Michael Paul Stephenson (who was the unfortunate child star of Troll 2) takes an interesting approach in sussing this out. Rather than disjointed talking heads prattling on about the film’s dubious legacy, he casts George Hardy, Troll 2‘s leading man (now a genial dentist in real life) as his Dante, descending into the surreal inferno of cult fandom.

Once clued in to the film’s surging appeal, Hardy mounts a sort of road show revival, collecting cast and crew to make appearances at screenings while also recreating some scenes on location for the cameras. It’s when Hardy begins collecting guests that Best Worst Movie really shows its stuff. What starts as an “aw, shucks” fan doc with a ramshackle vibe quickly becomes darkly comic and more than a little depressing.

Margot Prey, who played Hardy’s wild-eyed wife, is revealed to be an unsettling, cat-loving shut-in, nursing her increasingly unlikely dreams of being an actress. In a moment more chilling than funny, she asserts that Troll 2 stands with the work of Hepburn and Bogart with nary a trace of irony. Director Claudio Fragasso, Troll 2‘s maestro, is visibly hurt and depressed that people are mocking his film, and lashes out at his actors during Q & A sessions. Even Hardy lets his perma-smile mask slip, becoming petulant when he discovers that Troll 2 doesn’t have the following he quite expected.

Best Worst Movie, then, becomes a fascinating mix: half exploration of Troll 2‘s bizarre second life as cult phenomenon, half sobering reminder that the films we love to snicker at in the dark are frequently made on the back of a pile of broken dreams. (http://bestworstmovie.com)

Best Worst Movie currently is screening at the Nuart in Los Angeles. Click here for a list of upcoming screenings in other cities.

Author rating: 7/10