By Paul Hall
Poppy (Anna Kendrick) is one of the happiest trolls of all time. Ever since her father, King Peppy (Jeffrey Tambor), saved her from certain death, she has exuded more happiness than any member of the troll community. With Poppy all grown up in the new film Trolls, we get to see what happens when the eternally happy characters are faced with an attack on their happiness.
The Bergens are a community that is the direct opposite of the trolls. They have no happiness left anywhere within their being. It was always told to them that the way to true happiness was in eating a troll. And what used to be an annual tradition of eating troll had ceased when King Peppy led all the trolls to safety. But one Bergen is still looking for the trolls to find her way back into the new Bergen king Gristle’s good graces. Chef (Christine Baranski) longs for the chance to serve troll again and regain her power. When Chef finds the new troll home and grabs some of Poppy’s friends, it will be up to the happiest troll in the land to save everyone.
But Poppy won’t head out alone. The grumpiest troll, Branch (Justin Timberlake), needs coaxing, but decides to go with her in an attempt to save the trolls. The journey finds them encountering a talkative storm cloud, King Gristle, a servant girl who is in love with the king and plenty of other interesting characters. Will the trolls find their friends and remain happy?
It’s true — the trolls put a smile on my face. The film featured perfectly cast voice talent for this animated musical romp. From the lead roles featuring Kendrick and Timberlake to supporting roles for Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Baranski, Russell Brand and Gwen Stefani, to name a few, I found myself in love with the personalities brought to the films’ unique characters.
With a musical soundtrack starring some of these amazing voices, it is impossible to not have your foot tapping to the beat throughout the film. Beautifully animated, this film delivers a picture that radiates off the screen and holds its own alongside the music. But Trolls does fall short by failing to take advantage of Timberlake’s voice earlier in the production. The iconic music personality doesn’t lend his singing voice to the film until we are well over halfway through our journey. Sure, the story has him as a grumpy troll, but it would have been a good idea to get him to drop some musical influence into more of the film.
I can’t be disappointed with the total product that is Trolls. The colors, the music and the characters all left this critic wanting more. I love being happy — and Trolls makes me happy.
Trolls
Rated: PG
Voices of: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel
Directors: Walt Dohrn, Mike Mitchell
Grade: B+
Brought to you by the publishers of TV Guide, the ultimate TV resource packed with celebrity news and commentary on what’s new and what’s good to watch. Get TV Guide at 88% off the cover price: call 800-866-1400 or visit tvguidemagazine.com. ©TV Guide 2016.
NEW THIS WEEK
Almost Christmas
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Mo’Nique
Director: David E. Talbert
The family gathering at the holidays has always been a time for celebration. When Walter’s grown children return home for the first time since his wife passed away, the only question is if they can hold off killing each other before the holidays.
Arrival
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Dr. Louise Banks is one of the most revered linguists in the world. When she is brought in to try to communicate with aliens she will face a truly unique and sometimes frightening challenge.
Shut In
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Naomi Watts, Oliver Platt, Jacob Tremblay
Director: Farren Blackburn
Mary Portman is a widowed child psychologist living in a rural New England community where she is isolated from much of the outside world. She takes in an orphan boy, and does her best to keep him safe from harm before he disappears.
