Movie review - "Troll Hunter" (2011) *** (warning: spoilers)

Fun Norwegian film about a Blair Witch Project esque film crew of three who follow a mysterious poacher only to find out he's a troll hunter. The first half hour or so of this is expertly done establishing a nice sense of mystery, all logically worked out. Once the troll stuff is revealed there is some witty satire of Norwegian ways - the existence of the trolls is logically spelt out (they live in designated areas and are only killed by the hunter when they leave their territory), the troll hunter has to fill out a form every time he kills one and complains about not being paid overtime or benefits, he works with bureaucrats, etc.

This still felt around 15 minutes or so too long - too much of searching for the troll, finding one, it being scary, then knocking a troll off. It lacked a subplot - romance between the film crew, say, or a more villainous government department. At the end we're supposed to believe the government killed these students - you don't buy it, they're too pen-pushing. And there are some odd bits - the filmmakers never seem to care when their friend dies, sometimes catching trolls seems to easy.

On the sunny side the guy who plays the Troll Hunter is impressive (a good enigmatic country hero), the special effects are great, the scenery is stunning (it's a great ad for Norway - beautiful lakes, hills, mountains, etc), the climax exciting, there are thrilling action sequences.