Hilda und der Bergkönig

This movie continues the story of the Netflix show Hilda, so it is a must watch for anybody who like the shows season 1 and 2, but the show must be seen by anybody who wants to watch this movie.

This movie turned out to be everything that I could have hoped for, it beautifully concluded an ark that had silently started in the background of season 1 and had been openly building all through out season 2.

The Story: As mentioned above, this movie is the third act of a much longer overarching story of the conflict between the trolls and the humans. I can't say anything more without spoiling it.

The Characters: They are just as well done as in the series, maybe even better, as in this movie every character that has any relevance to the story has a clear motivation and don't act dumb, another thing to note is that a character that I found annoying in season 2 isn't annoying in this movie.

The Animation The animation is everything that I expected and more, the movie mostly stays on the same amazing level as the rest of the series but it has moments through out that are of even higher quality! It does not disappoint.

The Flaws: If you forced me to think of a flaw that I notice while watching, it would be this: about 7/8 of the way through the movie a charter types on a keyboard and the finger strokes don't match the keyboard, that is the thing that bugged me as soon as I saw it. When I rewatch the movie maybe I will notice something else, but at the moment that is the only thing that stands out to me.

This film was a joy to watch. It was meaningful and sweet just like the Hilda series. I love how much they stuck to the series and all the little easter eggs they gave us. A really good film for kids and adults, beautifully animated and excellently told.

Coming off the previous two seasons, there were very high expectations for the film, and I believe it's safe to say that they met and exceeded them.

The art matches that of the series, with gorgeously blended pastel colors and that warm soft lighting of which the show is known for. It's difficult to go ten minutes through the film without being presented a spectacle or landscape that leaves you in awe. The animation itself has been given noticeable refinements since the series, particularly in its character movement and speech animation. It's a subtle, but noticed step forwards.

Accompanying the art and animation is, like the series before it, a fantastic soundtrack. While it may have been more restricted this time, when it does make an appearance, it completely clicks with the aesthetic of the show and the plot in an amazing combination.

The film pushes our two main characters, Hilda and her mother Johanna, to their limits. The relationship between them had been growing more tenuous throughout the running of the series, and in the film it gets further attention and development.

Amidst all this, the other sub-plot regarding the threatening buildup of troll activity outside the city gets pulled to the fore within the film, and has its own bittersweet resolution.

Despite tying up the biggest loose ends from the previous two seasons, and the film being based off the final book installment of the same name, there is in fact a third and final season coming! It's uncharted territory, it could go anywhere.

"Our (last) adventure, Twig! Where should we go?"

Definitely my animated film of the year, it paid off everything the show had set up and showed me that the writer knew exactly what they were doing from the very start.

I'm more than happy if this is the conclusion of this series.

I just watched "Hilda and the Mountain King" twice, and it was INCREDIBLE. Everything I could have asked for and then some.

From the breathtaking opening sequence to the art direction to the emotional impact to the jokes to the resolution....all just absolutely amazing. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't cry a little.

At the beginning of the month, I speculated that this would be the saving grace of 2021 for me, and it most definitely was.

Not only did it live up to all of my expectations, but it EXCEEDED them. At times, it almost felt like an apology for some of season 2's shortcomings.

If I only had one small complaint, it'd be the absence of the Great Raven once again. I discussed this in my review of season 2 last year, but again, I'm sort of bummed that the Raven didn't show up here either. He could have taken the role of the Lost Clan pigeon in the search for Hilda.

Just a little nitpick, though. Hopefully, we'll see the Raven or the Marra at least once in season 3, even just a cameo....right? Right?