In an explosion of colors, fluffy hair and song and dance, the movie “Trolls” made its way to the silver screen on Nov. 4, reviving familiar themes paired with a nostalgic soundtrack and humor for all ages.
Produced by DreamWorks Animations, the film features an all-star voice cast, including Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, James Corden, Russell Brand and more.
The film’s main conflict centers on tensions between two species, the Bergens and the Trolls, who are polar opposites of each other.
The Trolls are tiny, colorful and bubbly magical creatures that love to sing, dance and hug each other every hour. Some even shoot glitter out of their bums.
The Trolls unpleasant counterparts, the Bergens, are huge, ugly and dull-looking creatures that never sing or dance, never hug and are never happy, except when they eat Trolls.
Trolls used to live trapped in the center of Bergen Town and regularly became the victims of an annual Bergen feast called Trollstice, when Trolls are eaten by Bergens on their “one day of happiness.”
However, one Trollstice, King Peppy (Jeffrey Tambor) successfully leads his Troll kingdom to escape Bergen Town. The Trolls find refuge somewhere in a nearby forest and live on happily.
Meanwhile, the Bergen Chef (Christine Baranski) responsible for the Trollstice feast is banished by the Bergen king for her carelessness.
Twenty years later, King Peppy’s grown, bubbly daughter Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and her friends prepare “the biggest, the loudest, the craziest party ever” for the 20th anniversary of the Trolls’ escape.
Branch (Justin Timberlake), a grumpy, gray survivalist Troll, warns them of hosting the big party, saying that it will attract the Bergens. The gang brushes off his warning and proceeds as planned.
Unfortunately, Branch was right, and the fallen Bergen Chef catches sight of the boisterous party after a huge firework explodes in the sky. She finds her way to the party easily and menacingly makes her appearance.
The lively party takes a dark turn, but while many Trolls are able to flee, Chef manages to snatch Poppy’s friends and bring them back to Bergen Town.
Poppy and Branch then embark on an urgent rescue mission for Poppy’s friends for the rest of the movie, bringing the two vastly different trolls closer together.
Although the film has a familiar, almost predictable plot and seems like any other film geared towards a young crowd, it is still an enjoyable ride.
The explosion of colors in the film definitely does not disappoint. The repetition of pink, blue, green and silver among the Trolls captures the spirit of their vibrant personalities, which is almost contagious as it easily transfers to the audience.
The humor also garners many chuckles from adults and children alike. From farting glitter to first-date panic, these jabs at humor lift spirits of all ages. One certainly does not need to be a child to find the film hilarious.
Lastly but most notably, the soundtrack is wonderfully compiled. Primarily produced by Timberlake, the soundtrack features mostly covers of older hits from the 1960s to 1980s.
One track that is especially tear-jerking is an intimate rendition of “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper, sung by Timberlake and Kendrick near the end of the film.
With Timberlake and Kendrick’s vocals tenderly intertwined, the duet encapsulates one of the themes of the film”to hold on to hope and show a smile, no matter how despairing one’s situation might seem.
Other more upbeat songs like “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Timberlake and the classic “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire contribute greatly to a cheerful atmosphere during other parts of the film as well.
For those who are bothered by characters occasionally breaking into song and dance, this film may not be suitable. But for those who don’t mind, the film is perfect for anyone who is in the mood for something heartwarming, refreshing and somewhat sentimental.
“Trolls” is rated PG for some mild rude humor and is playing in theaters now.