TrollHunter [DVD]

This is a really well done creature feature/comedy which thoroughly deserves to be a wide success. Set in Norway, in Norwegian with English subtitles, it is quirky, funny, scary and generally a good evening's entertainment.

The film is done in a documentary style. A group of students go off with a camera to track down someone they believe to be an unlicensed bear hunter. When they do find him the truth is much weirder, and soon they are drawn into the Hunter's world as he goes around Norway trying to keep the country's secret troll infestation under control.

The film has a very dry, deadpan style that makes it stand out from other comedies. Especially the Troll Hunter himself, who describes the most bizarre things with such matter-of-factness that it is difficult to doubt what he says is true. Despite the film being in Norwegian with English subtitles it is clear that the actor playing him has some real comic timing. It's not a laugh a minute film, but it definitely has a sense of humour to it.

The all important trolls are well realised, and the interaction between the cast and the CGI constructs surprisingly well done and effective. The build up to the first big `reveal' is suspenseful, and even though from the title of the film we know what to expect, the first troll on screen is still quite a shock. The way in which widely known troll lore (three billy goats gruff for example) is worked into the film is very well done, and you almost feel at times that this world that has been constructed could almost be real.

This is a great evening's entertainment, a film well worth getting. For stars.

I must say, I'm a big fan on the POV (point of view) movie movement recently taking hold of current movies ever since the Blair Witch Project phenomenom, some of the best include Cloverfield, REC 1 and 2, Paranormal activity and others and it seems the filming technique is in full swing as Norwegians take their try at the forumala with devastastingly good results.
Seeing as this wasn't a full blown hollywood production, this really did feel much more stable than most theatre movies as it had it's ground in terms of plot, character development and most definitely the CGI used.
I won't give anything away other than the fact that you MUST see this movie, put your headphones on, lights off and prepare to be entertained, humoured, scared and shocked as The Troll Hunter takes you through a mystical journey that may never again be seen by cinema. Of course like every movie it has it's negative and positive factors and I think they could have snipped it down to give the story a better flow and over pacier experience but this really is going to be one of those LOVE or HATE movies, it's definitely not for everyone.
Suggest reading up on some Norwegian folk lore and getting into the spirit before starting this up as you there are many references and hidden jokes that make this that little bit more enjoyable.
8/10

I wasn't sure what to expect from Troll Hunter - but even so, what I got wasn't even on the radar of what I expected at all. In some ways it was a really pleasant surprise, but in other ways, not so great.

First of all, it's one of those 'found footage' films which I wasn't expecting. You know, the sort of thing which has been used to death with mixed results in nearly all low budget horrors since the Blaire Witch Project.

I don't mind this approach when done right, but as I say, it can be a bit hit-and-miss. It can be done correctly and used well to really to the film, or it can be just an easy way to cover up low production costs.

Thankfully, Troll Hunter got it right. The home video approach was not only used to set-up the story, but it was used to good effect within the film too - adding tension and drama in all the right ways. However, this does mean getting Troll HUnter on Bluray is a bit of a waste of money.

The acting, on the whole is pretty good throughout (once you get past the fact that Declan Donnelly from Ant & Dec fame has a starring role in proceedings) with the actual Troll Hunter himself giving a very convincing performance.

The Special effects were a lot better than I was expecting too. You saw plenty of 'troll' and considering this was a low budget film, they were pretty well done.

The film was not without it's faults though. I liked the whole premise and idea behind the film, but this kind of got lost along the way and what started out as an enjoyable ride started to drag towards the end.

I think the film should have made more of the story that there was a troll crisis and perhaps sacrificed one of the 'troll hunts' from the middle section of the film to evolve the story more. The final set piece was OK but getting there was a bit of a slog after about the 40 minute marks.

Also, I thought the ending was a bit weak. It just felt lazy. That said though, Troll Hunter wasn't brilliant but it was different and I think it'd one of those films you should probably make an effort to watch for that fact alone. The scenery is stunning and why not set a night aside for a film that, although it won't blow your socks off, it will take you off the beaten track.

I'd have liked have given this film 4 stars but because it started to drag a little it doesn't quite make it there in my opinion, so I'm going to give it 3. It's a very 'respectable' 3 stars though (if there is such a thing?) and very nearly got 4. Worth a watch just for the hell of it.