Artrocker Film review: Troll Hunter

TROLL HUNTER
DIR: ANDRE OVREDAL
* * * * *

This original and entertaining Norwegian movie is a smorgasbord of comedy, horror and good old fashioned fairy tales. Shot documentary style, it follows three would be film makers as they stumble upon a suspected wildlife hunter and get a little more than they bargained for. With the misty and snow drenched mountains of Scandinavia as a backdrop, Troll Hunter is a beautiful film to look at, even through the often shaky lens of a handheld. It is tense and exciting and is shot through with a typically dark sense of humour.

The Trolls look fantastic, a throwback to the days of Harryhausen and Henson rather than the dross, uncreative CGI we now tend to get bombarded with. There are stand out scenes, not least a wonderful under the bridge battle which conjures up childhood daydreams. Ultimately though, this is a film all about escapism. From the deserted wastelands to the lone, noble figure of the Troll Hunter himself... this is a haunting and poetic movie which is almost impossible to dislike.

For anyone who’s ever dreamed of monsters in the wilderness and wondered whether they bite, growl or even care, Troll Hunter is one of the films of the year... and I cannot recommend that you spend an afternoon with it enough.