Trolls (REVIEW)
Written Jacob Chimilar
Starring Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, it tells the story of how the trolls were in fear from the evil Burgens of Burgen Town who would eat the trolls in order to be happy. One day they escape and hide from the Burgens and find happiness again, singing, dancing and hugging every hour like they always wanted without the fear of being eaten. As a result the royal Burgen cook is banished for not providing trolls for what they call Trollstice, their yearly troll feast. On the 20th anniversary of their escape, Princess Poppy arranges a huge celebration. Perhaps a bit too huge. It draws the attention of the disgraced Burgen who swoops in and steals a number for Trolls to bring back to Burgen town and reclaim her royal cook status. It's up to Princess Poppy and Branch, the one Trolls who knew this day would come to save them all.
When I heard they were making a Trolls movie I think, I, like most people were repulsed to the idea. It's a cash grab that no one wants. Well Trolls is here and it's bringing some talent with it. This film surprised me. The art direction was beautiful. The almost all felt, brightly colored world was a treat to see, looking like something out of Kirby's Epic Yarn.
The music was fun and fit within the world these Trolls live in and the sequences were well directed and choreographed. Anna Kendrick brings a lot of energy to Princess Poppy, Christine Beranski is great as the evil Burgen and the rest of the cast including a reluctant singer in Justin Timberlake's Branch (a funny irony if you know it's him) elevate the story to something rather enjoyable. Timberlake was one of the musical producers on the film and he did a great job with the arrangements of classic songs that adults will know and kids can sway along to. It never get's shrill or annoying as some musical kids films can get. Can't Stop the Feeling is much easier to digest than "Let it Go".
The story is a fun adventure that we've seen lots of times but in the context of Trolls is able to spend it's time expanding on the world they are in and focus on the power of positivity and acceptance. There is enough drama and danger to give some weight to the story but at the same time it never hits the really deep emotional well that Pixar pulls from. Not everything needs to be an absolute heartstring pulling experience. There also isn't really anything too stupid or low brow in the film something I appreciate the restraint on. There is a poop joke and a kind of fart joke but with a fun troll twist that saves it for me.
The music and the musical sequences are fun and fit in the world they created. The cast is wonderful and the production design is bold and beautiful. It's one you can take the whole family and have a good time. If they made a sequel I would definitely look forward to it.
