This Norwegian film delves into the mythology and folklore of ancient trolls. And an interesting aspect to it that the trolls were anti-Christian. But I’m getting ahead of myself here. We actually start with a bit of a time jump. We see a father daughter rock climbing up a mountain and discussing the folklore of the mountains actually being trolls. Without any real warning we are suddenly 20 years later and that girl (Nora) is a paleontologist working a dig site for a university trying to find evidence of trolls. Their discovery of a fossil is quickly negated by a military chopper arriving. In a different area the government was working on building a new tunnel through a mountain. And something woke up.

At this point it does become a bit formulaic. Large creature we don’t understand. Government says blow it up and sends military. Individual with folklore knowledge tries to find a better path.

Just because something is formulaic though doesn’t negate it. This was a fun movie to watch. The effects of the titular Troll were well done. The troll is scary and menacing at times, but sometimes he looks like a character in the Neverending Story or Fraggle Rock! As an American watching it, there was a strange feeling of “man your country is so small.” And it isn’t really small, but it is about the size of California. So the troll traipsing along seemingly randomly really can only have him heading towards one place. The capital Oslo. As I alluded to earlier, this sets up the climax of the movie where Nora and a few others work out a plan to take down the troll with minimal impact. Compared to the government and military who are bringing out a new missile to destroy the troll, but it is so powerful they evacuate Oslo in preparation for the destruction that will come. (Jump to spoiler at end if you want a little more.)

I give this movie 8 stars. I absolutely would tell someone about this and then sit and watch it with them.

SPOILER ALERT

As the plan comes together and Nora and her allies are bombarding the troll with artificial sunlight to turn him to stone, Nora realizes this is wrong. She shuts down the lights and encourages the troll to flee to the mountains and hide. Away from people who will seek him out to kill him. It is an uplifting moment where we get the warm fuzzies….For about 5 seconds, and then the sun begins to rise and kills the troll anyway!

uhhhhh…..

That was unexpected. Still a great movie to watch though.