Recently our Viking brethren from the Icey North have dipped their manly toes in the creative waters of film-making. That’s not to say they haven’t before, but I would say films about an evil Santa Claus, Nazi Zombies and now, Troll Hunters are probably not Norway and Finland’s go-to themes. I could be wrong, and I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.
Nevertheless with that, what we have here with The Troll Hunter is a story that starts with a trio of young college documentarians trying figure out why there are so many bear disappearances happening. Through Carmen Sandiego-like sleuth-work they come upon a Troll Hunter – and then, the…hunt…is…on! Trolls are loose and it’s now up to them to put an end to their trolly shenanigans! The film goes down the right paths, and follows a rather formulaic story-line, but with such a unique story leading the way, you’re more than happy to take the voyage through troll territory.
The biggest and most satisfying aspect of this film, for myself, was that the film didn’t shy away from any one area. A recent Scandanavian film that I won’t name *fart*rareexports*fart* – excuse me. That film brought you along and hoped to entice the viewer with emotion, an early surprise, and then male nudity – it didn’t work, and I was left stunned by the lackluster ‘Fin’ished product. Here, they talk about trolls, and go off to hunt trolls, so you’d think there would be trolls. And yep, there are! And not only that, they informed the viewer quite well about troll history and the different types. It was the type of love you hoped would be present here, and I can’t help to feel thankful for such research and creative thinking.
Overall, the actors and writing delivered a fine job as they juggled tongue-in-cheek overacting with some scenes of serious drama. Basically every area of the film delivered to how you would want, and I was totally content with how the fx and trolls all looked. It’s one of the best found footage films around, and if you enjoy fantasy in the slightest, you should give this a look.
My only real complaint here is how they could have neglected to put in the only troll that is still regularly found in modern days. I kept on asking myself, ‘Where the hell is the IMDb troll?’ The stinkiest, most pathetic troll to have ever lived is not put into the film? I suppose watching a troll whine to his or her mother about picking up the new and improved Oxy 5 zit medication or a bulk supply of super strength maxipads isn’t really must-see TV. It would have been nice to get a view into what their lairs must look like, but I guess, it would have taken away from the adventure aesthetic of this film. I suppose then it’s up to me and you to stop the IMDb trolls. First things first, if you see a hungry one, restrain from feeding it. After you do that, leave it to me. *pulls on troll disemboweling gloves*
