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Review: “The Trollhunter”
Make no mistake: Fantastic Fest’s fourth secret screening of the year, “The Trollhunter,” (or “Troll Hunter,” depending on how you translate Norwegian) is the finest piece of troll-related entertainment you will experience this year.
Troll 2? Admittedly iconic for its shlock-level, but does not actually feature trolls, only goblins. IT IS TROLL-FREE.
Recent shows by Finnish metal/folk band Finntroll? BAH!
Eric Owens as Alberich? HE’S NOT A REAL TROLL!
“Trollhunter,” on the other hand, is the “documentary” account of three college-aged, Norwegian journalists and their encounter with their nation’s official troll hunter. A title card at the front tells us the footage was dropped off at the producer’s office and that this is an edited version of the raw film. Also, it is not a hoax.
At first, they think they’re investigating some bear poaching, which tells you just how low the threshold for news is in the country with one of the world’s very highest standards of living.
But no, it turns out their subject is a trollhunter. Yes, trolls exist. Yes, it is dangerous. No, trolls are not like they are in fairy tales, which are apparently the Wikipedia of monster-hunting resources.
The students, naturally, laugh at him. Then they follow him some more. Then things get hairy. Literally. (Note: Christians should not hunt trolls. Just trust me.)
In an era when “Blair Witch”-style movies such as “Paranormal Activity” have become their own subgenre (known as “found footage”), “Trollhunter” does a stellar job maintaining its tone. The troll hunter treats his gig as just another lousy job, admittedly one in which he gets to blow up (or turn to stone) the things he hunts. He’s alternately exhausted and wracked with guilt. When the kids tell him he’s a hero, he’s denies it, not with the rage of the insulted but with a knowing sadness. It works because of its bone-dry vibe — laughs are plentiful, but they never feel forced or unearned. And the footage of Norway’s coast, forest and mountains is so gorgeous that you think the Oslo Chamber of Commerce bankrolled the thing.
Then again, would they advertise the fact that one man is responsible for keeping the troll threat in check?
I think not.
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