Review of 'Trollhunter (Trolljegeren)'

Three Norwegian documentary students visit a rural area to investigate a number recent of bear killings. They come across a mysterious man living in a trailer that they suspect may have something to do with the poaching. They follow him in their car through the beautiful Norway landscape much to his consternation. In the middle of one night they follow the man as he goes deep into the woods. Leaving the car behind they follow him and find out what he is really doing - (no surprise here given the title of the movie) hunting trolls. They soon befriend the man who proves very willing to talk about what he does despite suggestions that the government does not want him to talk. Events take a dramatic turn - Will they survive?

Taking the long-established “found footage” format (complete with comments about the footage being found on some hard drives at the beginning and that “nothing has been faked”, etc, etc) this is quite a fun film and, despite the low budget, quite believable (ok, the first troll is a bit hard to take but they do get better…). Sometimes the acting of the students leaves a bit to be desired (though their obvious enthusiasm throughout keeps the pace going) and the knack they have of being able to get some amazing shots all the time quite amazing…I am not sure it was ever really much in doubt about how the movie would go the ending is slightly unbelievable with the inevitable “bad guy” not really convincing.

A fun romp.

NOTE: In Norwegian with English subtitles (or English dub).

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2014-09-20

Directed by: André Øvredal

Studio: Filmkameratene A/S

Year: 2010

Length: 103 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1740707/