Keeping this Scandinavian film train running, this time we head to Norway for some troll hunting. Much like the previous movie of the day, I enjoy a good twisted take on certain established folklore or stories. This time, it is all about trolls and not like the one that Ernest fought in that movie “Ernest Scared Stupid”. These trolls are the thing of legend from Mountain trolls and Forrest Trolls, this is pretty much the best thing in the world. I have been to Norway and was sadden by the lack of trolls that I saw and since this is a found footage film, they exist cause Hollywood wouldn’t lie to me and show fictitious things. Would they?
Three student filmmakers venture into the most isolated region of Norway on a mission to confront a notorious bear poacher, and discover that the elusive hunter’s true prey is something far more extraordinary. Though Kalle, Thomas, and Johanna thought they were pursuing a criminal, after locating Hans (Otto Jespersen) with the help of some local hunters, they learn that bears are not his true target but a mere smokescreen to obscure what he’s really after — trolls. A secret government agency has been conspiring to cover up the existence of these massive monsters, but occasionally the trolls manage to break their containment area. When that happens, it falls on Hans to capture the creatures at all costs. Trolls are highly sensitive to sunlight, and traditional weapons only make them angry. Instead of carrying a gun, Hans carries an enormous UV light capable of stopping even the fiercest of trolls dead in its tracks. The only way that humans can travel in the area undetected is to cover their bodies in a foul-smelling concoction that makes them invisible to the troll’s highly developed sense of smell. Lately, the long hours and grueling work conditions have been taking their toll on Hans, so when the student filmmakers show up looking for a good story, he decides that it’s time for the truth to come out, no matter what the cost. Now, if the group can just survive long enough to get their incredible footage to the outside world, they could be responsible for revealing the most impressive cryptozoological discovery in the history of humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know why the synopsis is longer than this post today, but there is no need to for this. If I can shorten it down, I would say “Found footage Norwegian film shows the scary truth about real trolls.” Also to add that, “awesomeness ensues.” I admit, I am growing incredibly weary of the whole found footage thing cause it is cheap filmmaking that masks directing problems. But, I will give this movie a pass cause it is Norwegian and flatout awesome. TrollHunter manages to act like a mockumentary film, showcasing the exploits of a group of young, cannon fodder, filmmakers who are on a mission to document bear poaching or something. I was really only interested in absurd Troll lore and scares and I got just that.
From a technical standpoint, this is a pretty impressive film. All from the handheld perspective, the film manages to capture the essence of trolls and their ridiculousness with a certain air of authority in information and footage. While it dives a bit deep into folklore, the impressive visuals and funny cinematic moments punctuate this sly monster film and sets it apart from it’s competitors. While monster films aim for more of the scare tactic to cut through the moments of silence and breaks in action, TrollHunter uses the lull in action to fill us in on more information, leading me and possibly audiences to believe that these thing truly exists. It wants to set up this world perfectly and it does to a certain extent. All the actions and trolls fit in the world they create and the information that characters present to us.
TrollHunter is a damn fine film. Funny, creepy, scary at some points and entertaining as a monster movie can be. The film is a strong entry in the whole spacey, sci-fi monster realm. Actually, it is hard to place the film in an exact category other than just plain amazing. The creepy moments of the film is heightened by the handheld quality footage. The humor is derived from the lore of the trolls and the interaction of the people. Finally the trolls are majestic and frightening, almost seemingly feel like they could exist on in our reality. It is a strong tip of the hat the storytelling of trolls and their existence in myth and legend, while a bit too much, it still manages to create a believable word in which they inhabit the countryside.
*images via RottenTomatoes
