Troll Hunter
- Update: I’m kicking this post up because, WOW, what a cool movie this is! Saw it yesterday night and having almost no expectations, I was pleasantly surprised. Matter of fact, from twenty minutes in onwards I was either smiling or sitting with my mouth agape.
I wouldn’t call Troll Hunter ‘original’ in the sense that it helps the “handheld cam horror movie” genre along, although in some sense it is. Basically, it employs the same techniques as The Blair Witch Project and especially Cloverfield, although in Troll Hunter, the creatures involved are not mere glimpses at the edge of the screen but in view full-frontal (which in itself is an innovation in this genre).
What makes it so cool is, well, first of all that it is Norwegian, which gives an art house vibe to the movie, and secondly the dry humor. This is a really funny movie from the beginning to the end; although there are some seriously tense scenes in it as well. The main character, troll hunter Hans, is in reality a Norwegian comedian (I didn’t know this before), but playing his role very well: a very cynic, grumpy, matter-of-factly hunter. The film students act very nicely as well, keeping the film with its feet on the ground.
I also really liked the road trip aspect of the movie, taking you through a variety of beautiful Norwegian landscapes. But what’s probably best about this film, in addition to the constant subdued humor, is the documentary aspect of it. Unlike in other movies in this genre, a lot is revealed about the creatures it is about, who have been subject of a government conspiracy. There’s a mysterious ‘Troll Security Service’ designed to keep their existence secret. Along the road, the film students interview a variety of people with more or less information about this.
All in all, this remains a very pleasant movie, with a lightweight sense of fun and humor throughout. I was just “amused” throughout.
The end of Troll Hunter, though, is awe-inducing. At that point, the movie reaches it zenith. So yeah, definitely go see this movie! I highly, highly recommend it!
- adriejan
- Original post: This trailer looks pretty cool. The movie was not directed by Charlie Sheen, but by Norwegian director Andre Ovredal and will be released on June 10th.
A second trailer can be found here.
