Trollhunter
Director: Andre Ovredal
Year 2010
Trollhunter is an extremely
magical film that transports the viewer into a world where trolls exist and in
abundance. Taking the found footage route, the film presents a mock documentary
that allows the movie to delve into believable territory, even with its far
fetched plot. With the combination of handheld moments, digitally rendered and
beautifully imagined creatures, and a cast of charismatic newcomers,
Trollhunter aims to please any and all persons with a sweet-tooth for larger
than life fairytales and expertly told fables. Let’s start hunting!
The film follows a small
crew of student filmmakers as they embark on uncovering the mystery behind a
man known as Hans the poacher, an infamous hunter who is accused of killing
unauthorized bears in the wilds of Norway. While investigating this
illusive figure, they shockingly come to find that he is a troll hunter,
commissioned by the government in keeping trolls in their assigned territories
and staying out of the eye of the Norwegian public. After having a frightening
confrontation with a three headed troll, the crew decides to accept Hans’
invitation to join up and document all that he does while troll hunting. With
the young filmmakers’ curiosity peaked, they set out on a journey of a
lifetime, but could it be their end? Curiosity killed the cat, and trolls eat
people. You do the math.
Otto Jespersen plays the
role of Hans the Troll Hunter, and damn does he do a respectable and highly
believable job as the ass kicking and soft spoken big game hunter. Otto
approaches the role of Hans with respect, allowing the sympathetic nature of
his character to hook the audience in and just soak it all up. It’s Otto’s
careful acting tone that really allows the viewer to be swept up in the madness
and be able to fathom that trolls truly exist in this cinematic realm that the
filmmakers have set up. The overall look of the trolls are exceptionally
crafted, but I believe that it is Otto’s set up of the world that they live in
that really sells the movie as a portrayal of true events. Hans’ troll hunter
persona is not just a one dimensional character, but a fully realized person
with wants and needs, and a great deal of weight to carry on his shoulders in
order to keep the world blind to what he does. I was fully hypnotized by Otto’s
performance while under the magical spell of this film, and it really is a
treat to see him spin these wild yarns and to be able to witness those
fantastic tales come springing to life as he goes about his daily tasks. Hans
is definitely a character for the ages.
Rounding out the onscreen
characters that encompass the group of student filmmakers is Glenn Erland
Tosterud, playing the role of Thomas, and Johanna Morck, playing the role of
Johanna. Both do a great job in portraying the first time troll hunters and
their reactions to all that they are seeing are priceless and genuine, but it
is Tosterud’s performance that really stands out amongst the pack. His
character grows over time from a goofy, know-it-all kid, to a wholly invested
explorer of this newfound world of wonders. His gradual progression mirrors the
viewer’s experience as we delve deeper into the intriguing and often dangerous
realm of the troll and to watch both Thomas and Hans work as a team together is
a thing of beauty. Glenn had an excellent charismatic pull that brimmed with
enthusiasm, giving you no choice but to follow in his footsteps and take this
great discovery, head on.
Aside from the great cast
the film has an outstanding atmosphere to it. With the benefit of having the
beautiful and haunting Norwegian landscape to place their story within, the
filmmakers milk the scenery for all it’s worth, applying the steep troll lore
of the region to guide the film along on an almost historic journey, decoding
the myths and validating the legend. Dense forests, mountainous landscapes, ominous
caverns, expansive valleys, and a somber tone leave the impression that trolls
really do dwell in these untraversed locations, tucked away from the eyes of
man and free to live about their own lives in secret. For a found footage film,
this movie really does have some breathtaking views and a plethora of awe
inspiring moments that rise above the cliché trappings of the subgenre of film,
allowing a more, well-rounded, movie to come to the forefront.
Now that I’ve got the
formalities out of the way, let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of this
cinematic beast. The overall look and presentation of the trolls are
exceptionally imagined, harking back to the original depictions of these
decrepit monsters and portraying them as more of an animal than anything
fanciful. These guys eat, shit, and that’s about it, and there is nothing glamorous
or appealing about them. What is most interesting about the way that they are
represented is that there are a number of variations between the races of
trolls that pop up in this film. There are some that have multiple heads
depending on their age, there are some that are loners and some that travel in
packs, and then there are a chosen few that are the size of skyscrapers that
are able to devour a man in one bite. Impressively, the film presents all of
these variations, but it does it in such a fashion that it never feels like a
chore as we run down the checklist of all the important players of the troll
world. The end result feels more like an adventure as we are thrown into this
wild expedition, hunting some of the most wild and unimaginable prey known, or
unknown, to man. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to go hunting again with
Hans and the rest of the gang.
To sum up the film best,
Trollhunter is just an unbelievably polished film that eases into the belief
that trolls truly exist and then knocks us off our socks in presenting us with
a vivid presentation of a fictional world come to life. I don’t normally find
myself gravitating towards found footage films, but this is one that defies the
odds and brings into light something entirely original and absolutely
entertaining. The movie balances both comedic and frightening moments, to
create something of a unique gem, one that establishes itself within its own
created history and fabricated lore.
The cast does a commendable
job in using the prestigious platform that the filmmakers have created within
the narrative, using it as a springboard to propel their characters along one
hell of an entertaining path as they encounter one big reveal after the next.
Otto Jespersen and Glenn Erland Tosterud especially bring an impactful bit of
weight to their roles, allowing themselves to be sucked into the moment. If you
ever thought a movie about a man wandering the wilds of Norway and
hunting trolls, was a theme that could never be filmed or presented in a
respectful light, then you’d be dead wrong. Trollhunter is a genre film that
has a great deal of heart and depth behind its unorthodox subject matter. If
you’re looking for an original and entertaining ride, then look no further than
this flick. Trollhunter is……
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| Don't ever interrupt the Troll Hunter when he's having his breakfast. |
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| Don't sweat... It can smell fear. |
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| Say cheese! |
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| Being a troll hunter is a tough job, but someone has to do it. |
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| Can you guys at home believe this shit? |
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| It's Hans the peeping troll hunter. |
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| The doctor will see you now. |
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| That's ok... I'll find another way across the creek. |
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| Damn you're ugly. |
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| I've got to take a troll-sized shit! |
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| Yeah that camera's dead. It's all messed up. |
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| Being a troll hunter is not a glamorous life. |
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| If I saw this in real life, I would shit myself. |
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| Turn your highbeams off.... asshole! |
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| Goodbye Hans. We love you! |