I recently came upon a 2010 Norwegian film at the local video rental store called "Troll Hunter". Whenever I look into monster movies, on occasion I would hear about this movie and the praise it gets, so one day I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Needless to say I can see why it's so liked. "Troll Hunter" is a found-footage movie that follows a trio of college students coming in to film a guy named Hans who has been accused of illegally hunting bears only to find out that he's actually part of a government agency that monitors and controls the country's troll population. Though reluctant at first, Hans agrees to take the kids with him to film his endeavors in hopes that they would help make a difference regarding the matter.
As far as stories go, this is fairly original in its approach. While the camera is hand-held, it's actually kept very steadily, so the shaking is barely noticeable most of the time so you don't have to worry about headaches. The characters are quite believable, seeming just like normal people, reacting appropriately in these situations and having conversations that flow naturally. Hans especially is a great character in the way he interacts with the teens with a sense of nobility and profession and how he deals with trolls like it's another day at the office. His coworkers are also good in fleshing out Hans' life, how they play a part in the agency, and adding to the world's lore.
Speaking of which, the trolls are obviously the highlight of the movie. What amazed me is that the makers of this movie put a lot of thought into bringing these creatures to life and justifying their existence. As we travel with Hans and company, we learn more and more about them with details like why they turn to stone or explode when exposed to UV light and how there's actually many species of trolls, each of which come in different shapes and sizes. The trolls themselves are portrayed in a fantastic manner. Rather than being evil brutes like they are in most movies, they're more like actual animals. Sometimes they are genuinely scary while other times they are sympathetic, but the tension remains whenever they show up. While I usually would like to see more practical effects these days like what they did with the new Star Wars movie, the CGI used to bring these beasts to life is excellent, full of nice detail and fluid movement. While the film is really about the humans, the trolls have a good amount of screen time, so they are seen plenty but don't overstay their welcome, an ideal balance.
"Troll Hunter" is a well-made foreign movie that has earned its reputation. Its universe, creatures, and characters are in their own class and are worthy of recognition. There is an English dub of the film and it's done well, so you can switch to it on the DVD if you want. If you're into this found-footage style of film or are just looking for something to entertain you for the night, then I recommend "Troll Hunter". Just be sure to bring a UV flashlight.
As far as stories go, this is fairly original in its approach. While the camera is hand-held, it's actually kept very steadily, so the shaking is barely noticeable most of the time so you don't have to worry about headaches. The characters are quite believable, seeming just like normal people, reacting appropriately in these situations and having conversations that flow naturally. Hans especially is a great character in the way he interacts with the teens with a sense of nobility and profession and how he deals with trolls like it's another day at the office. His coworkers are also good in fleshing out Hans' life, how they play a part in the agency, and adding to the world's lore.
Speaking of which, the trolls are obviously the highlight of the movie. What amazed me is that the makers of this movie put a lot of thought into bringing these creatures to life and justifying their existence. As we travel with Hans and company, we learn more and more about them with details like why they turn to stone or explode when exposed to UV light and how there's actually many species of trolls, each of which come in different shapes and sizes. The trolls themselves are portrayed in a fantastic manner. Rather than being evil brutes like they are in most movies, they're more like actual animals. Sometimes they are genuinely scary while other times they are sympathetic, but the tension remains whenever they show up. While I usually would like to see more practical effects these days like what they did with the new Star Wars movie, the CGI used to bring these beasts to life is excellent, full of nice detail and fluid movement. While the film is really about the humans, the trolls have a good amount of screen time, so they are seen plenty but don't overstay their welcome, an ideal balance.
"Troll Hunter" is a well-made foreign movie that has earned its reputation. Its universe, creatures, and characters are in their own class and are worthy of recognition. There is an English dub of the film and it's done well, so you can switch to it on the DVD if you want. If you're into this found-footage style of film or are just looking for something to entertain you for the night, then I recommend "Troll Hunter". Just be sure to bring a UV flashlight.