Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren) (Blu-ray) (2010)

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General		Extras
Category	Mockumentary	Main Menu Audio & Animation Deleted Scenes Outtakes Featurette-Making Of Featurette-Behind The Scenes Gallery-Photo
Rating
Year Of Production	2010
Running Time	103:28
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	André Øvredal
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Otto Jespersen Glenn Erland Tosterud Johanna Mørck Tomas Alf Larsen Urmila Berg-Domaas Hans Morten Hansen Robert Stoltenberg Knut Nærum Eirik Bech Inge Erik Hnejesand Tom Jørgensen Benedicte Aubert Ringnes
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$39.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Norwegian DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English English English for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     I can't remember seeing too many Norwegian films in my time and when I read about this one in an upcoming releases guide from Madman, I thought it sounded like it might be well worth seeing and it certainly is. In fact, this is another Scandinavian film scheduled for a Hollywood remake, although I am not convinced it would work. Norway has had a long tradition of myths and legends about trolls, large creatures of the forests and mountains. This fun mockumentary exploits those traditions explaining that in fact Trolls are real and that the Norwegian government has been covering it up for many years.

     A student film crew from a Norwegian University are trying to follow a strange man, who travels around in a camper van. According to the opening explanation the film has been put together from their footage which was left at a film company anonymously. The guy they are following seems to be a bear poacher as dead bears regularly turn up where he has been. The film crew is led by Thomas (Glenn Erlund Tosterud) and also includes the camera guy, Kalle and a sound girl, Joanna. They manage to catch up with the guy and despite his reservations, get him to agree that they can come with him that night and film his activities. He tells them that he is looking for Trolls but they do not believe him. His name is Hans (Otto Jespersen) and it turns out that he is employed by the Troll Security Service, a secret branch of government to track down and kill Trolls that have escaped their assigned territory.

     This film is a lot of fun, played very straight generally, but the situations are very amusing and the way they explain normal things as being caused by Trolls is a hoot. Additionally, the effects for the Trolls are great and there are excitement and thrills to be had. Another fantastic element is the Polish painters who moonlight as a bear delivery service. This film also shows off the rugged beauty of Norway.

     This film has some parallels to The Blair Witch Project, especially early on due to the way some of the footage is shot, showing close-ups of the frightened Joanna as they meet their first Troll. However, this film is obviously much lighter being played for laughs rather than scares, generally.

     Regardless, those who like the sound of this premise should definitely take a look at this film before it gets remade, because I can't see how it could be improved by a remake.

Video

     The video quality is very good for what it is but most of the restrictions are probably due to the low budget, shot to appear amateur source rather than the transfer. The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio or close to it. It is 1080p encoded using AVC.

     The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout but not at the best of Blu-ray level. The shadow detail was reasonable but this was probably purposefully reduced in some scenes. The colour was good but not spectacular, probably a function of the dark weather and reduced colour palate of the environment.

     There was some mild noise and shimmer occasionally and a couple of scenes were grainy..

     There are subtitles available in English, English Narration (i.e. the exact words of the dub) and English for the Hearing Impaired. They are clear and easy to read.

     There are no obvious layer changes during playback.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is excellent.

     This disc contains the original Norwegian soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 5.1 along with an English (American) dub in the same technical format. The case lists completely different formats to those actually on the disc. They should not be believed. The American dub is horrible and should be avoided unless you really have to avoid subtitles.

     Dialogue seemed clear and easy to hear and understand, although Norwegian is not my strong point.

     There is no score as such, with incidental music only being the order of the day, which obviously suits the supposed shooting style of the film.

     The surround speakers were used constantly in the action scenes, with troll noises, growls, crashing trees etc. filling the sound stage. The subwoofer was also in nearly constant use for action scenes including lots of thumps and thuds along with growls and other crashes and bangs.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

     The menu included sounds and scenes from the film. It is an effective introduction to the film.

Deleted Scenes (3:35)

     Not too much here but there are some good things involving wolves.

Improv & Bloopers (2:05)

     Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Extended Scenes (7:55)

     Some worthwhile stuff here including more from the power station and more of the Polish painters.

Visual Effects (6:07)

     Technical stages of constructing the VFX, no commentary just footage.

Behind the Scenes (23:24)

     Various bits and pieces of on-set footage and messing about from the actors. Not too bad.

Picture Galleries (6:12)

    Various sketches of trolls and stills of Norway.

HDNET: A Look at Troll Hunter (4:20)

     Short promo style making of with cast and crew interviews.

    This Blu-ray seems to be the same all over the world.

     A fun and exciting mockumentary about Trolls.

     The video quality is very good considering the style of the film. The audio quality is excellent.

     The extras don't add up to much.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall