Review by Jon Donnis
Before I start, DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER UNLESS YOU ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THE FILM SPOILED!
When I heard of Troll, I instantly remembered 2011 film Trollhunter, also a Norwegian film about giant Trolls. Sadly this film is not a sequel, nor connected in any way, other than the whole giant Troll thing.
Now I loved the found film footage style of Trollhunter, so I was curious to see what a classic film style would do with this specific genre. Luckily I was not disappointed, as Troll is one of my favourite films of the year.
The film starts with Tobias Tidemann (played by Gard B. Eidsvold), and his young daughter Nora, (Ameli Olving Sælevik). They are climbing in the mountains, and once they reach the top, Tobias tells stories of The Troll Peaks, he encourages his daughter to look at the mountains with her heart and not her eyes and she can see the ancient giant Trolls. It is a sweet moment to start the film.
We fast forward 20 years and a now grown-up Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) is a palaeontologist, digging up fossils.
Meanwhile tunnel builders are tunnelling through the side of a mountain, and also being protested by environmentalists, suddenly there is a rumbling and an explosion. I think you can guess what happens next.
The film itself is in its most basic terms Godzilla but in Norway. A giant ancient Troll has been asleep in the Dovre mountain, and is now on the move after being asleep for a thousand years.
Step in the military and leaders of Norway who have no idea what is going on, other than what appears to be giant footprints, so they need an expert, so they go get a local palaeontologist who just so happens to be our Nora.
We soon learn that Nora's father was at some point in the past sent to a mental institute, and that Nora lost contact with him. After some flying around in a helicoptor, Nora realises that maybe her dad wasn't crazy after all, so they go find him in a hut in the middle of the mountains.
Along with Captain Kristoffer Holm (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen) and "egghead" scientist Andreas Isaksen (Kim Falck), you now have your classic ragtag group of people who will save the day and in turn stop the military from just nuking everything.
The plot follows the classic rules of all such films that feature a giant creature. A crazy guy who is proven right and ends up being the most knowledgeable, a strong military type who goes against orders, a nerdy geek, and then your main hero. It is completely cliche, but it works, which is why they keep using the formula.
Now despite a few head scratching moments which didn't make sense, (skulls for creatures made of rock?), this is a really fun monster movie. Although serious in nature, there are a few light-hearted funny moments. The visual effects are of the highest quality, things never get silly or too over the top. And if you don't mind reading subtitles, I would recommend sticking to the original language, as dubbing on films like this are always terrible.
The Good
Norway make really good films about giant Trolls! And I loved this one. Everything just works, nice story, all the characters are likeable, everything is well acted. Just an all round good film.
The Bad
The damned skull! Just doesn't make sense, I will say no more. Also the trailer SPOILS the film!
REMINDER: DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER UNLESS YOU ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THE FILM SPOILED!
Overall
Excellent film, that stands tall amongst the other giant monster films of recent years, King Kong and Godzilla.
I score Troll a solid 9/10. Brilliant.
Out Now on Netflix
And if you enjoy it, make sure to look up Trollhunter.
