BADass SINema Unearthed - Blu-ray 4K UHD Review

Long before cult classics were manufactured by social media, Troll earned its reputation the old-fashioned way—through late-night cable, worn-out VHS tapes, and word of mouth. Decades later, its strange little spell still works.

John Carl Buechler's 1986 fantasy-horror gem has spent decades trapped beneath the enormous shadow of Troll 2—a sequel that shares little more than its title and an appetite for unintentional comedy. While that film became a midnight movie phenomenon, the original quietly built a devoted following of its own. It deserves it. MVD Rewind's new release finally gives this wonderfully strange little cult classic the presentation it's been waiting nearly forty years to receive.

This is pure, unapologetic '80s fantasy. Noah Hathaway stars as Harry Potter Jr.—yes, Harry Potter, years before the boy wizard ever picked up a wand—who discovers that an ancient troll is turning his apartment building into a twisted fairy kingdom one tenant at a time. The cast is packed with familiar faces, including Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, Sonny Bono, June Lockhart, Phil Fondacaro, and a pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfus in one of her earliest screen appearances.

What makes Troll endure isn't the story. It's the craftsmanship. Every creature, every transformation, every vine-covered hallway exists because somebody sculpted it, painted it, or climbed inside it. The makeup appliances stretch. The puppets blink. The monsters occupy real space instead of a hard drive. Sure, the seams show—but that's part of the magic. The film feels alive in a way so many effects-heavy movies no longer do.

Calling Troll a forgotten masterpiece misses the point. It's weirder than that. More playful. More imaginative. It captures a moment when fantasy films weren't afraid to get messy, colorful, and a little grotesque. You can practically smell the latex, fog machines, and gallons of stage slime.

MVD Rewind understands exactly what collectors want. Rather than sanding away the film's rough edges, this release embraces them, presenting Troll with the care and respect usually reserved for bigger studio titles. Buechler's incredible creature work has never looked better.

If you've loved Troll since the VHS days, this is the upgrade you've been waiting for. If your only exposure has been the gloriously bonkers Troll 2, prepare for a surprise. The original isn't just the better film—it's the one that earned its cult status.

Home Video Distributor: MVD Entertainment Collection
Available on Blu-ray - June 30, 2026
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Video:  1080p; 1.85:1
Audio: LPCM 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Welcome to the Potter family's new apartment...where an ancient evil has just moved in.

When young Harry Potter Jr. discovers that a malevolent troll has begun transforming his neighbors into grotesque creatures and an enchanted kingdom, he must join forces with a mysterious witch before the entire building is consumed by dark magic. Packed with unforgettable practical effects, bizarre monsters, and a cast featuring Noah Hathaway, Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, Sonny Bono, June Lockhart, and an early appearance by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Troll is one of the most imaginative fantasy-horror films of the 1980s.

Lovingly restored for the MVD Rewind Collection, this cult classic has never looked better. Overflowing with handcrafted creature effects, colorful fantasy, and vintage Empire Pictures charm, Troll remains a magical blend of horror and adventure that's unlike anything else from its era.

The original cult classic is back—and it's bigger, bolder, and more enchanting than ever.

Video

MVD's new restoration is exactly what fans have been hoping for. Colors are dramatically richer than previous home video releases, allowing the film's fantasy palette to finally breathe. Greens are vibrant without becoming cartoonish, while flesh tones remain natural throughout.

Fine detail receives a healthy boost, revealing textures in the elaborate creature suits and makeup applications that were often lost on older editions. Just as importantly, the restoration respects the source. Grain remains intact, sharpening is restrained, and the image never feels artificially processed.

It's still unmistakably an Empire Pictures production from the mid-1980s—but arguably the best it's ever looked on home video.

Audio

The LPCM 2.0 stereo track isn't flashy, but it faithfully reproduces Richard Band's wonderfully synth-heavy score while keeping dialogue clean and intelligible.

Creature effects and environmental ambience have a surprising presence, and the mix carries enough low-end weight to make Torok's appearances satisfying without attempting unnecessary modern remixing.

Supplements:

Collectors should be pleased with what's included.

The standout extra is a substantial making-of documentary featuring producer Charles Band and screenwriter Ed Naha discussing the film's production, shooting in Italy, casting, creature design, and Empire Pictures during its creative peak. The package also includes a theatrical trailer, photo gallery, collectible mini-poster, reversible artwork, and MVD's signature faux-VHS slipcover that perfectly complements the nostalgia factor.

Commentary:

• See below for details

Special Features:

• Brand-new HD restoration from the original camera negative.
• Audio Commentary with producer Charles Band.
• "Under the Bridge" – a new retrospective documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew.
• Interview with screenwriter Ed Naha discussing the film's development and production.
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Gallery featuring production photos and promotional artwork.
• Reversible Cover Art with newly commissioned artwork on one side and the original theatrical artwork on the other.
• Collectible Mini-Poster
• Limited Edition Rewind Slipcover designed to resemble a vintage VHS rental box (first pressing).

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