Trollhunter, Government Cover-Up in Norway

When I was a lad, our schools taught us of the brilliance of our "Founding Fathers." Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, and Patrick Henry were admired in school for their fanatical pursuits of freedom. These great men warned us that government was a necessary evil, and if not checked....would eliminate our liberties.  Today, these same public (government run) schools teach that these heroes were really selfish, racist (what?), nut-jobs and that government protects us from these sorts.  So when I find a movie, like 2010's "Trollhunter," I am ecstatic that Americans are not the only ones suspicious of government.  In the midst of a terrific monster movie, we learn that even Norwegians may feel that their government may be working against the people.

The plot:  A film crew from a college in Volda starts out trying to expose poachers.  Johanna Morck (who played the sweet but unfortunate nurse in "Cold Prey 2") plays Johanna the sound-gal and Glenn Erland Tosterud plays Thomas, the narrator (see picture above).  They believe they have identified a poacher and begin following a mysterious hunter named Hans (see picture below).  Hans is a loner and as we find out, contracted by the secret service in Norway to eliminate trolls (which the government denies the existence of) that wander from their reservations.  The government does not believe that Norwegians can handle the truth, so a massive cover-up ensues....much to the eventual misfortune of our attractive film crew.

Hans, embittered by the dirty job he is entrusted to is initially hostile to the film crew...and then something happens.  He eventually sees in them their pristine desire for truth.  Hans (Otto Jespersen), unhappy that the government won't pay overtime or night bonuses, allows Johanna and Thomas to tag along and film.  Before that, he asks them if they believe in God, because if they do....well...trolls, of course, eat Christians. They lie and say they don't.  The film crew is able to document several troll kills, all with horrific drama.  As scary as the trolls are, the government bureaucrats are portrayed as even more menacing...and end up being a bigger threat to our heroes than the trolls.  Eventually Hans brings them up north where they will track down the much feared mountain troll (yes, there are various types of trolls).  Massive power lines have been erected up there to keep these trolls "fenced in." 

The addition of power lines into the plot is not a frivolous one.  Power lines ruining the very scenic nature views of Norway is a point of contention between the government and citizens who want Norway to stay beautiful and picturesque.  Will the government allow our film crew to survive?  Will Hans ever get the overtime he deserves, or will the Norwegian government permit him to access internal dispute mechanisms to file the necessary grievances (okay...so maybe you can tell I work for the government)?  Finally, will the troll community (who can't step into the sunlight) ever be able to step into the figurative sunlight?  This is a terrific movie with great creature effects.  As outlandish as the plot sounds, trolls trouncing through Norway, this movie keeps a sense of realism to it which will chill all of us who believe the government is not necessarily here to help us.