Plot: What’s it about?
In the Norwegian countryside, the local bear population has been decimated in recent months. The official reports insist there is nothing to be concerned about, but some people have started to doubt that stance. The rumors of what is really going on have prompted three college students to venture into the woods, determined to uncover the truth. The students suspect a poacher has been preying on the bears, so armed with a video camera, they intend to reveal this overzealous hunter. The group soon crosses path with a man who seems like the perfect suspect, but he denies the accusations and just wants to be left alone. The trio continues to track him however and soon enough, they learn the truth. The man’s name is Hans and while he is indeed a hunter, he is only interested in one kind of prey, trolls. The group is hesitant to believe Hans, but he insists the government has tasked him to eliminate the trolls that threaten to overrun the land. He is of course ordered to remain silent about his actions, or else risk a state of panic when the public learns of the troll threat. But is Hans really a troll hunter and if so, what is the truth about his life in the woods and what would happen if he fails in his hunt?
This movie is awesome. A good movie exceeds your expectations, but sometimes a great movie defies them, then takes you to a place you never anticipated. Trollhunter is able to give you exactly what you expect, but in ways that never cease to surprise and entertain you. This is a rare element these days, when most filmmakers are content to rehash the past’s glories and leave creativity out of the equation. One of the best “found footage” productions you’ll find, Trollhunter explores the concepts of the mundane and the fantastic in a cohesive, effective manner. Where most films of this kind simply use shaky cameras to convey cheap scares, this film weaves a story that keeps you enthralled, characters that you want to know more about, and sticks with you after the credits. It might be a movie about trolls, but this isn’t a camp, B movie type experience. While not a masterpiece of cinema, Trollhunter is a unique, well crafted production that is quite effective. So if you enjoy unusual cinema, Trollhunter is highly recommended and I can’t wait to see what those involved do next.
Video: How does it look?
Trollhunter is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a “shaky camera” type movie, so the visuals don’t shine in a technical sense. But the visual design holds up well and it looks quite good in this treatment. While softer of course than a high definition version would be, detail is passable throughout. The colors and contrast perform well, but keep that “shaky camera” style in mind, as it impacts those areas as well. In the end, this transfer isn’t one to write home about, but it retains the intended visual style and looks more than decent.
Audio: How does it sound?
The original Norwegian soundtrack is preserved in this Dolby Digital 5.1 option, which sounds good. I wasn’t bowled over, but the track handles the needs of the material well. I found dialogue to be clear and always audible, though the “found footage” style sometimes yields quiet vocals. The sound effects come through well, though again, this doesn’t sound like a big budget, polished effort, nor should it. This disc also includes an English language track, as well as English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the HDNet special on the film, deleted & extended scenes, a reel of outtakes, and a look into the film’s special effects.
