While the new Netflix horror movie Troll (2022) does succeed in some respects, most notably on account of its colossal creature effects, sadly, a lack of character cohesion and shallow narrative depth detract from the monstrous magnificence playing out on screen.
Roar Uthaug's monster undeniably steals the spotlight as the spectacularly imposing star attraction - its awe-inspiring sense of size and scale dominating every sequence it populates. Furthermore, the mysterious mythology shrouding its gargantuan creature can, at times, prove compelling.
With its strict Scandinavian lore and distinct folklorish flavors, Troll carries all the essential ingredients of a gripping premise. Unfortunately, we only skim the surface of its alluded mythos, and aside from one or two arousing expositions, Troll's startling stature and onscreen presence are what wind up commandeering center stage.
But even if the story occasionally treads over trope territory, the sense of spectacle generated from its mammoth behemoth is certainly worth experiencing - not least for its painstaking visual effects and a series of destructively elaborate set pieces.
Though the film sometimes explores interesting subtext, poignantly garnering empathy in a manner somewhat reflective of King Kong's struggles when faced with humanity's hubris, overall, I feel as though this is an area that should have been fleshed out considerably more.
Troll (2022) may fail to match the heights of Trollhunter, but for fans of well-constructed, colossally-sized on-screen monsters, it's worth checking out.
Troll (2022) Story Synopsis
Deep inside the mountain of Dovre, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway. But how do you stop something you thought only existed in Norwegian folklore?
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