If it has an ability that triggers when it exploits a creature (or, in this case, when any creature you control exploits a creature), that ability will trigger
Kain is a good early play that can guarantee you the top-ups you need, and you can do some dastardly things with him, like building him tall and strapping a Vampiric Link to him to ensure you gain life off of anyone attacking with him
Master your deck
It's certainly got more of the original 1989 movie about it - just look at Ariel and Flounder's childlike wonderment at the sight of a bent fork
Plus, you'll find a Collector Booster Sample Pack, a foil-etched display commander (on thicker card stock) to show off your character, and every card in each deck has artwork set in Middle-earth
It already took down a Legacy Challenge in Painter, and I think it could be clever in a similar Modern shell: something like UR Wizards/Artifacts