Movie Thoughts: Hilda and the Mountain King (2021)

• Released: 30 December 2021
• Directed by: Andy Coyle
• Running time: 1 h 25 min
• Rating 4/5

Synopsis

Now transformed into a troll, Hilda must find a way to turn back into her human self and restore peace between the trolls and the people of Trollberg.

My Thoughts

I don't have that much to say about this one. It's neat. Solid.

Visually, this one looks just as spectacular as any of the Hilda Netflix seasons. The animation on these has always looked great, but it's the color palettes that really draws me in. Color-wise, this is some of the most visually appealing stuff I have ever seen in a movie (or series). Much like the amazing art style, it's simple, with the major three colors being red, yellow and greenish blue, but it just works so well and is utilized to its fullest extent.

I also like that this movie really gives us a troll's POV on the situation, with Hilda now being one. It is revealed that the bells are actually incredibly jarring to the trolls, not just a mild annoyance like how they seemed previously. Also, not all trolls are bad. Trylla, despite being the one to transform Hilda, is actually really kind and while Hilda does want to return to being human, there's some aspects of being a troll she absolutely enjoys.

The twist that Trundle was the titular Mountain King and not the large broad troll we came across earlier was pretty obvious and I feel like the conclusion of the troll-human conflict was solved a bit fast (with Ahlberg being in favor of the trolls entering Trolberg just a bit too quick after how biased against them he has been for so long now), but other than that it was a solid conclusion, and I definitely think season 3 will touch more on the aftermath of trolls and humans now being on pretty positive terms.

I do feel like the subplot where Frida and David try to turn back Hilda by using witch magic was a bit pointless as it ultimately didn't go anywhere, but oh well. Guess they needed to have something to do in Hilda's and Johanna's absence.

Overall this was a solid movie and definitely lives up to the earlier two seasons. Looking forward to what the final season has to offer!