Somebody recently asked me why I love horror and b-movies so much and without hesitation I responded by saying that it is because anything can happen. While watching Troll Hunter I was really aware of this conversation as this film takes the world that we live in and adds a fantastic element that is wholly original and brings to the screen something that we have not seen before in a movie set in the contemporary world and it is presented in a way that comes across as somewhat believable. Although I obviously know that there is no such thing as trolls hidden away in contained areas of the wilderness, it is that little part of me that thinks "what if" that makes movies like this so much fun. This movie really works that angle and gives enough explanation when exploring the mythology that trolls may be roaming our world that my imagination was allowed to flourish a little more than usual. I enjoy the fact that I have been thinking of the movie since I saw it and I can see how this flick captured the interest of genre fans. The concept is simple and very well-executed in a way that is impressive but not flashy.

Techniques of the cinema verite style are used in this flick as it is portrayed as a documentary similar to The Blair Witch Project or Cannibal Holocaust with footage being recovered that shows a series of shocking events. This style is used very effectively and starts with a trio of film students attempting to obtain an interview with a mysterious bear poacher. They soon discover that their subject is not a poacher at all but is actually a troll hunter who is employed by a government agency whose primary task is to keep trolls in a segregated area so that they are not seen by the general public. When a troll goes out of the appointed area, the troll hunter is brought in to restore order. After an initial encounter with a troll, the filmmakers are fascinated and continue to document the troll hunter and his various jobs. They are also exposed to cover-ups and a potential virus.

The more I think about it, the more impressed I am with both the concept and the execution of the story. The movie takes a while to build up and the anticipation level is high as we are immersed in the world of the fictional filmmakers and see the events unravel through their eyes. When the first troll appears, it is so foreign that it looks kind of goofy but who are we to say what trolls look like? From here on out, we are treated to three major set pieces that are all totally fresh even though you may have seen characters in other movies in similar predicaments with different monsters. It is just stunning to see these creatures through the lens of a single video camera like you are a member of the film crew. It took a few days to sink in but the lasting impact of this flick in your mind is a result of a clever mix of amazing visual effects combined with the perfect level of troll screen time that allows your mind to fill in the blanks.

Comedy plays a part in this flick as it is more of a mockmentary than some of the other "found footage" films horror fans have become accustomed to in recent years. This had the potential to work against the movie but it is subtle and is in no way a spoof. There are also a few times where the script takes a turn that seems a little too convenient which annoy horror purists but I was able to go with it as the overall result was so cool. For example, the gruff troll hunter becomes friendly with the filmmakers a little too quickly and a second camera person gets involved without protest despite the bizarre nature of what the crew is facing. The ending is also somewhat ambiguous and this may frustrate some viewers as there is a lot going on and little resolution. It is important to keep in mind that this is supposedly "lost" footage that was edited together so you can't really expect a nicely tied-up plot. Similar to The Blair Witch Project, we see what we see and we have to let our imaginations answer some of the questions. The expectation when watching a movie like this should not be to enjoy a typical horror film structure but to see some trolls and give in to the experience. A remake is supposedly in the works with director Neil Marshall (The Descent) at the helm. (Josh Pasnak, 6/22/14)

Directed By: Andre Ovredal.
Written By: Andre Ovredal.

Starring: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Johanna Morck, Tomas Alf Larsen.