Troll Hunter [DVD] - Andre Ovredal

The Norwegian comedy-fantasy Troll Hunter a surprise art-house hit across the globe posits an intriguing question--what if monsters of folklore and popular culture existed but were kept hidden by the government?--and delivers the results in a clever faux-documentary format that underscores both the special effects and the satire. Controversial comedian Otto Jespersen is the title character a world-weary working-class stiff assigned by a bureaucratic agency to track and eliminate dangerous trolls from the Scandinavian countryside. The lack of respect and notoriety afforded by his job convinces Jespersen to allow a naive collegiate film crew to follow him on his hunts which nicely balance quirky humour with genuine moments of suspense and some impressive CGI special effects for the trolls. Genre fans' appreciation for the 'shaky-cam' subgenre ( The Blair Witch Project [REC] Cloverfield ) will undoubtedly affect how they feel about Troll Hunter --the film's light comedy will certainly be lost on those unwilling to either believe or tolerate the idea of another film comprised of 'found footage.' But more forgiving viewers will be thankful for the rather seamless incorporation of the CGI trolls all imaginatively rendered as part fairy-tale image and part biological specimen into live-action scenes as well as the dryly humourous satire of government 'special projects.' Pacing is also occasionally an issue--though beautiful the Norwegian landscape receives far too much coverage--but for the patient Troll Hunter is a unique and clever experience. --Paul Gaita