Trollhunters - Retrospective & Part 2 Review
Before you jump at me for dedicating an article to something that looks like it's for children, I'm going to stop you right there. Guillermo Del Toro has been on an absolute roll lately, and he can make anything exciting for all ages. Trollhunters is the start of an apparent trilogy called Tales of Arcadia. I'm here to talk to you about Part 1 & Part 2 of this great animated series from Dreamworks and Del Toro. Let's get started with looking back on Part 1 of Trollhunters!
Trollhunters Part 1 - Looking Back
This discussion of Trollhunters Part 1 is spoiler-free!
If you didn't know, Trollhunters is a monster story. This is a commonality for Del Toro and something he loves to create stories around. Whether it be through vast worlds like Pacific Rim, or smaller scale adventures like The Shape of Water, he knows how to do films like this well. Trollhunters takes this monster formula that Del Toro has honed so well and collects with a rather child-like enthusiasm and a group of extremely lovable characters. Our main character of Jim (the late Anton Yelchin) is a joyful but anxious young boy who is making his way through high school. He doesn't realize it yet but he's about to enter a larger world with the help of his friend Toby and a fantastic cast of characters that he will meet along the way.
As a package, Trollhunters offers a lot to the viewer. It brings the coming-of-age story to the monster genre and really checks a lot of the boxes you want from a series like this. Jim's evolution from a kid who just wants more to someone who can use his will and hope to defeat evil is great. The journey's of supporting characters like Claire and his troll companions are fantastic as well. What makes Part 1 even better is that it's essentially two separates seasons of stories with some intermingled story beats. There is most definitely an overarching story for Part 1, but each set of 13 episodes has it's own primary antagonist and primary goal that it wants to accomplish. I also just feel the need to praise Anton Yelchin and the rest of the cast. Everyone brings a charm to this series that I love and just feeling that joy come out makes watching the show that much more fun. If this is to be one of Yelchin's last works than I believe he went out on quite the high note. As a package, Trollhunters is a beautiful show to watch and enjoy. Dreamworks excellently animates and generates the world. If you haven't jumped into the show by now, take the time to do so!
8.75/10
Trollhunters Part 2 - Review
This review of Part 2 of Trollhunters is spoiler-free, but contains spoilers for Part 1!
Trollhunters greatly exceeded my expectations in the release of its first part. I was surprised by the depth of the characters and world that Del Toro helped to create with Dreamworks. But, seeing how Part 1 ended with Jim going into the Darklands, clearly Part 2 was going to have a much darker tone to it. How can the be managed in a format that largely aims towards young viewership? Well, by adding in quality characters that helped to lighten the mood and continue following the great themes of the original Part 1.
Anton Yelchin has been a standout throughout this series for his work as Jim, and knowing that this would be his last time voicing the character was rather upsetting. This doesn't mean though that he wasn't absolutely stellar once again in this part. He is given much more of a range to work with in Part 2, allowing him to tap into darker areas of his character and the overall world. The despair he faces early on is palpable and intriguing for the long term effect it has on him and his friends. Speaking of such, many of his friends face challenges unlike those in the original season. Being without their best friend means they have to tackle the idea that Jim can't go to school and even be at home to say hello to his mother. This comedic arc is great to start of the season and helped to keep the tone light.
Speaking of the overall story, being 13 episodes instead of Part 1's 26 means that there wasn't going to be a secondary arc for these characters. But, having a shorter times means that you have to cherish each moment you have and create better character development that can occur in those 13 episodes. I felt this is handled extremely well, with every character getting their own real arc in the story, and even having time to focus on what were previously minor characters in Steve and Eli. If I dare say so, I believe I enjoyed the overall story of Part 2 more than Part 1 because it felt more focused on it's characters and not world building (which I understand is necessary).
Seeing where this show goes will be exciting, with the ending teasing multiple different threads for where Part 3 will go. But, before we see Part 3 of Trollhunters, we will see a new series known as 3 Below focusing on an entirely different area of Arcadia's mythos: aliens. I for one am ecstatic about this as it means a wider world to enjoy with these characters. Sure some people may be tired of the connected universe gimmick by now, but having a universe like this that all ages can enjoy helps to ease that fatigue a bit. Along with this, it means we get more of Steve and Eli as they're confirmed to play a role in the second series of this group of 3. But, looking back on Part 2 of Trollhunters alone, I can say confidently that Del Toro and team helped to keep the standard of quality that was established in Part 1 high, resulting in more excellent television to be enjoyed.
8.75/10
For those of you who haven't dived into Trollhunters and the world of Arcadia, now is the perfect time! With the connected universe being announced, this world is only going to get bigger and better from here. For those returning, I hope you enjoy Part 2 as much as myself! Check out Trollhunters on Netflix!
