Troll 2
I’ve been getting in the Christmas mood with some of my favorites, like Anna and the Apocalypse and Die Hard, oh and a nifty Korean zombie series. I did try to find a Christmas movie that was newish and interesting, but Christmas rom coms are so, so, SO not my thing. So, I watched the sequel to a film I’ve previously reviewed. Troll is a fun Norwegian film about their country’s most famous “monster”, like Bigfoot here in the states.
First time up there was of course a large part of the movie doing the Let’s Convince The Gubmint There Are Monsters shuffle. This time, everyone knows there are still a few moving mountains out in the landscape, but since the threat was taken care of in the first film, things still roll along as usual. That is, until our Heroic Lady Scientist Nora is recruited again by super nerd Andreas for a visit to Retcon Cave, where the hard to convince gubmint has been studying a hibernating troll for a hundred years. Funny how that works its way into a plot, nearly making the first movie moot. Anywho, this troll is not amused at being chained for so long and goes on his merry way. He’s merry, but not the country. Chaos ensues.
The first movie was based on ancient Nordic lore and fairy tales. This one begins with a flashback to Nora’s dad tucking her into bed with children’s stories about the trolls killing people and people killing trolls, even mothers and children. Night, night Nora. Sweet dreams. There is more fictional history of how trolls and people used to co-exist that I found fascinating. The action ramps up more quickly this time and we are reintroduced to Kris the good guy Airforce officer. He’s still nice, by the way, and instantly smitten by the new lady scientist. I may despise rom coms, but a sweet romance nestled in a slam bang action film always warms my heart.
There is nothing spectacular about the technical aspects of the film, with decent cinematography, art work, script. There was one moment that had me furiously scribbling in my notes about going overboard on the camera work, but it was a one off and I got over it. The creature effects are outstanding, as in the first film. There’s a little Jurassic Park drink jiggling and innumerable action movie helicopters, big guns, and boatloads of C4.
I don’t remember how much humor there was in the first film, beyond more than a couple of nerd centric genre jokes. There is a fair amount of humor here, my favorite line being Andreas speaking of the reaction to his novel, “You don’t know what criticism is until you have been roasted by twelve year olds on tic tok.” There was another humor beat that has you waiting for the punchline, and it was okay, but I could think of several that would hit harder. Oh, well.
As I mentioned, this film is harsher, but still not gory at all. There is some Godzilla like building stomping, the lady scientists are both bad ass monster fighters, and the gruff, bullet clip laden military guy spills tears of sadness. I enjoyed this movie about as well as the first one, and a mid-credits scene promises a third installment. If only there were a few strands of tinsel strewn somewhere onscreen I could pronounce this a Christmas movie. Alas. Happy Holidays to everyone, and enjoy the movies.
Triggers: harsh bedtime stories, explosions, deaths, naked troll bodies
Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime
LINKS:
CFR: In Addition
Oh wow. I really want to see this. I admit I was waiting to watch it with Cranky (don’t feel bad Cranky!) but life got in the way so I never got around to inviting them over. Now I must watch it myself and squee!!
I love trolls.
No really. I do.
I don’t care if they maybe are the ice giants, I love them. I would want to make friends with them immediately. Ok, I might get crushed. OR! I might make a friend. I obviously hope I would make a friend.
Now I first heard about this when I saw the AMAZING movie poster for it, which is actually a teaser poster. It says, as you can see from the top: Mountains Will Move. Love it. The official poster is below.
I’m so excited to watch this.
Go Trolls!
Although could you please not destroy the human buildings this time? Ok, please?
In the meantime, I’m inviting some trolls over for tea and stones. Maybe Bigfoot will come too.
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