Movie Review: Trolls Band Together; Rating: 2/5
The film’s ensemble cast includes Anna Kendrick, Kid Cudi, Troye Sivan, Eric André, Amy Schumer, Zooey Deschanel, Kunal Nayyar, and Anna Kendrick.
Tim Heitz & Walt Dohrn, directors
What’s Good: Despite being shorter than two hours, it moves at a relaxed pace.
What’s Bad: The script lacks coherence and fails to satisfy the large audience that anticipates a ton of nostalgic puns and jokes from the franchise.
Loo Break: Even though this is only a hundred minutes, you may need to take a few breaks.
Should I watch it? Only if you’ve liked the Trolls series; otherwise, don’t go in expecting to be amused by nostalgia for the first two movies.
Accessible via: Theater release
Running time: sixty-one minutes
Family movies often give children sensible and worthwhile lessons about the value of kindness or the importance of staying true to oneself. It’s kind of like eating your vegetables. The Trolls franchise deviates from this convention, though, providing an experience more akin to consuming M&Ms that have been laced with liquid LSD. Although the new movie does have a message, to be completely honest, the themes, characters, and messages are just there to provide background to the story’s glitter and sheer whimsy.
As Poppy and Branch become a couple, the plot develops new dynamics as Poppy learns about Branch’s time in the boyband, which includes his four elder brothers. When Floyd, one of Branch’s brothers, becomes the center of attention for his aspirational pop star siblings Velvet and Veneer, the story takes an intriguing turn.
Review of Trolls Band Together: A Script Analysis
Renowned for its copious amounts of nostalgic puns and jokes, the Trolls franchise appeals to both its younger audience and their parents. All the same, the third game in the series is the most peculiar of the three.
The message does not, however, quite hit the right note. The musical scenes lack the visual impact to captivate, the sequences lack the necessary drama, and the villains are ridiculous. There is, however, more than enough room for a hallucinogenic display of brightly animated pictures accompanied by singing, dancing, and music.
There is no denying that Trolls 3 is a vehicle for a barrage of boyband jokes; some lines are noticeably funnier than others, such as the awkward “Bro bro goin’ solo, YOLO!!!” Still, none of these moments can be considered retro entertainment.
Still, the film exults in its peculiar charm, evoking a trippy, candyfloss-colored atmosphere. The wedding scene where the Bergen monster Bridget ties the knot is my favorite example of eccentricity; she’s wearing a wedding dress made out of white helium balloons, which makes her look a lot like a quirkier Björk on the red carpet. The balloons burst to reveal roller skates and an edgy trouser suit underneath. This specific scene was pleasantly unconventional. The upbeat vibe is out of style, and the assortment of varied soundtracks isn’t engaging enough.
Review of Trolls Band Together: A Star-Student Performance
Renowned former boy band member Justin Timberlake continues to build on the success of Trolls World Tour by lending his captivating voice. His portrayal as Branch’s voice actor isn’t particularly noteworthy, but it is clear that he is making lighthearted allusions to his past in show business. Kenan Thompson, on the other hand, gives a lively performance as the witty baby Tiny Diamond.
Other talents like Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick, Camila Cabello, and Zooey Deschanel give excellent performances. Notably, among the newcomers, special recognition should be given to Crimp (Zosia Mamet), Velvet and Veneer’s overworked assistant, who expresses her frustrations by passionately singing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”
Review of Trolls Band Together: Scope, Melody
Trolls 3’s animation is of a higher caliber than any of the Trolls series’ earlier entries. The director has combined a mixture of 2D animation with an emphasis on visually striking and imaginatively designed characters. But the jokes only sometimes land, and the once upbeat tone seems dated, indicating that Tim Heitz and Walt Dohrn might be struggling to come up with new ideas.
The movie’s musical journey spans fifty years of popular culture. The use of well-known songs and a hint of mature humor adds sophistication, but it also makes the third installment feel a little formulaic. The concept of boy bands combined with a jukebox of sing-along pop hits.
Review: Trolls Band Together: The Final Word
At its best, this movie is okay; it gets its energy from colorful, quirky characters and a soundtrack full of jukebox tunes. However, it doesn’t have any lasting qualities that you think about long after it ends. The main source of excitement for adults might be seeing their kids’ joy as they immerse themselves in the world of marshmallows, a world of brightly colored candies.