Throwback Thursday- The Troll Hunter

Logline:  A Group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter.

Cast: Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Glenn Erland Tosterud

Directed by: André Øvredal

I discovered this hidden gem while reading an article on the movies to look out for at the Tribeca Film Festival back in April of 2011. Being a Norwegian film, The Troll Hunter hasn't gotten the exposure over here that it deserves. I figured, hey, we just did a review on a foreign film yesterday, and last week's throwback was about a hunter, so combine the two...

Summary

This is a "Found Footage Film". Everything observed is through the camera of young researching students who tag along for an unexpected journey. While researching why bears have been dying so much in the forest, the group crosses paths with a mysterious looking man named Hans. This guy dresses like a bounty hunter and smells like he's been through some dirty work. They begin to follow him along and pester him with questions. He gets more and more annoyed as they keep meeting up with him. So he tells them - that's it, stop following me, no more questions.

Instead of giving up, they stake out by his trailer and wait for him to leave. When he does, they follow him into a forest in the middle of nowhere. Trying to keep up with him, they hear a loud noise - inhuman. They start to get creeped out. Their car is now trashed too, so they're stuck. Out of nowhere Hans appears from the bushes and tells them they need to stick close. He covers them in urine to avoid being sensed and they head out into the forest. What do you know, Hans actually hunts trolls. Real trolls. A government secret since, forever.

Review

I can't put into words how much this movie has stuck with me since last April when I watched it twice. Everything about The Troll Hunter is top notch. The characters, the production, the direction, the acting, the sound, everything. It follows the story documenting a mysterious Troll Hunter named Hans who regularly covers himself in piss & carries one of the world's biggest secrets. It's filled with humor. Not laugh out loud humor, although sometimes there is. It's the type of humor dealing with the type of person Hans is. He's funny, yet serious, and everything about him is awesome.

Topic of the Day

I've dived into the schematics of film in my past reviews, but today I've chosen to do something a little different. I want to rant a little bit. It's Thursday...

A lot of people are getting frustrated by the flux of "Found Footage" or "Point of View" camera techniques that have seemingly come in abundance over the past few years and will continue to come in the future. I mean, really? I can only name as many to count on my fingers that were popular.

People love to hate on Cloverfield for its shaky camera techniques. Ever since that movie, POV camera has been publically hated on by many people. Why? I have no idea. I find it adds a realistic touch to the movie - as if you're watching it by what these people actually saw and what they obtained footage of. People always claim that movies aren't doing anything new, directors and writers are following formulaic technique and structure to appeal to the masses. Well, here's something new, and it's not that bad. In fact, take a look at some of them. Cloverfield, Paranormal Activity 1, 2 & 3, Chronicle, The Troll Hunter, Project X, etc. These have not only done well for themselves; all except Project X (which is highly rated by fans) are critically acclaimed. These are the main brunt of the FF/POV genre these days. Yeah there are some mishaps like The Devil Inside and Apollo 18, but that just comes with the business. Devil Inside had no ending and Apollo finished faster than seabiscuit.

I shouldn't say this is new. There are movies dating back into the 80's using this technique. However, they are becoming more popular lately and they are beginning to get produced more, you will see soon enough. Not every one of them is like Cloverfield, and directors are finding ways to keep the cameras from shaking but still seeming real. Troll Hunter is a prime example of that.

Consensus

The Troll Hunter is an amazing character and an amazing movie. The graphics and CGI are top notch for a foreign film and this will go down as one of the craziest rides that most North Americans will miss out on. If you haven't heard of it, or have but haven't watched it yet, give it a try. It's well worth your time.

8.2/10