Film Review: Best Worst Movie

Fig. 1 Best Worst Movie poster

A 2009 documentary directed by Michael Stephenson, Best Worst Movie dives into the world of the 1990 film Troll 2, a horror B-movie directed by Italian director Claudio Fragasso, which starred an all amateur cast from Utah, USA. Troll 2 has come to be one of cinematographies most notorious films, labeled by many film critics as the worst film ever and receiving terrible ratings and reviews.

Best Worst Movie explores the aftermath of Troll 2, diving into the world of its large cult following that has amassed 20 years after its release in 1990 and how it has affected the lives of the cast. Through a series of interviews, cult gatherings and screenings, Michael Stephenson shows just how far Troll 2's fanbase stretches. 

"Troll 2 star Michael Stephenson steps behind the camera to explore the phenomenon behind the low-budget Italian-produced horror sequel that young movie fanatics have christened "the Rocky Horror of our generation" in this documentary which proves that just because a movie is awful doesn't mean it won't find an audience." (Rotten Tomatoes, 2009)

Fig. 2 Interview with George Hardy

To its cult following Troll 2 has become iconic, a legend within the history of film. What was once considered a blemish on the face of cinema has now risen to become something highly celebrated by a generation of film fanatics. But what makes it such a hit after years of abject failure? Simply put, the film is 'so bad that it's good'. 

"Sure to be embraced by moviegoers even more fascinated by blazing failure than by success..." (Frank Scheck, 2010)

Terrible acting from an inexperienced cast, poor plot; curtesy of a director who didn't speak english and very low budget costumes, add on top of that the fact the the film featured now trolls whatsoever, Troll 2 became something in which was not intended: a comedy. The fact that the film was intended to be a real horror though is the icing on the cake, as Stephenson put it:

"With Troll 2, we thought we were making a great horror film, and that's what causes people to smile and to laugh." (Hubbard, 2010)     

Fig. 3 Scene from Troll 2

"But there's no denying that it is often outrageous fun, and the news that Fragasso and Drudi are working on a script for "Troll 2: Part 2" is but the icing on a very nasty cake." (Frank Scheck, 2010)

List of Illustrations

Figure 1. Best Worst Movie (2009) Best Worst Movie Poster. 

At: http://collider.com/best-worst-movie-review/25618/ (Accessed on 05/10/11)

Figure 2. Best Worst Movie (2009) Interview with George Hardy.

At: http://uk.dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/86667/best-worst-movie/images/best-worst-movie-20101117033910429.html (Accessed on 05/10/11)

Figure 3. Best Worst Movie (2009) Scene from Troll 2. 

At: http://eternalsunshineofthelogicalmind.blogspot.com/2009/05/best-worst-movie.html 

(Accessed on 05/10/11)

Bibliography

Rotten Tomatoes (2009) Best Worst Movie 

At: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/best_worst_movie/ (Accessed on 05/10/11)

Scheck, Frank (2009) Best Worst Movie - Film Review 

At: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/best-worst-movie-film-review-29583 

(Accessed on 05/10/11)

Hubbard, Jeremy (2010) Fan Base Forms Around Worst Movie Ever

At: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/cult-fan-base-forms-troll-worst-movie/story?id=10565306