Troll

No one got more mileage out of Gremlins rip-offs than producer Charles Band. His low-budget kingdom was practically built on pint-sized terrors like Dolls, Demonic Toys, Ghoulies and the undying Puppet Master franchise. 1986’s Troll came along relatively early in the pipeline, securing a theatrical release, an unexpectedly stacked cast and a slightly larger budget. But, not to worry, it’s still primarily a showcase for director John Carl Buechler’s army of misfit muppets who straddle the line between kids’ fare and bargain-bin body horror.

After they move into their new apartment, the Potters are introduced to a quirky cast of neighbors: a pathetic swinger (Sonny Bono), ex-marine (Gary Sandy of WKRP), aspiring actors (real life couple Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Hall) and one mysterious old lady on the top floor (June Lockhart) with a talking mushroom on her armoire. All of them are at the mercy of a troll who has taken on the human form of the Potters’ daughter and proceeds to turn everyone in the building into one of his fairy brethren.

First and foremost, Troll is a kids’ movie; there’s an innocence and comic sensibility at play than anyone over the age of 13 would find unbearably cringey. The PG-13 rating comes from Buechler’s slimy effects work which, to be honest, is about as convincing as a 5th grade puppet show. But his work on the titular troll - played by Phil Fondacaro who also gets a juicy role in human form – is something to brag about. Expressive, malicious yet still cuddly in a “ugliest dog” sort of way, it’s a perfect match of costume and performance.

And speaking of performance, while it’s fun to watch Elaine from Seinfeld turned into a naked nymph or Michael Moriarty dance like no one’s watching, it’s Lost in Space vet June Lockhart who steals the movie as a kind-hearted elderly princess. Troll has very little in common with other “mini-monster” films from the era…and it has absolutely no relation to its in-name-only sequel – Troll 2 – which held the title of Best Worst Movie for nearly a decade. It’s an odd cinematic collectible pulled off the cinematic shelf that – like many Empire and Full Moon titles – will be either treasured or despised depending on the viewer’s taste.

Number 73 in MVD’s Rewind Collection, the new Blu-ray features a detailed and colorful transfer paired with a 53-minute Making Of, still gallery, trailer, fold-out poster and slipcover.

(Did I mention Moriarity’s character – and his son – are both named Harry Potter? In a magic apartment building?! Bizarre coincidence or fuel for a lawsuit…you decide!)

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