Review of Trolls (2016) by Kj P — 04 Nov 2016

Over the years, it has become a point of no return that studios continue to bring properties to life, even if they do not deserve a theatrical run. Trolls is the epitome of a children's toy from the past that had no reason to be in theatres. That being said, this animated film is better than it has any right to be. When it comes to child-based animated films, having little for adults to enjoy, it does become difficult to see through the annoying tropes at times; However, those tropes are used to benefit the story this time around, so I have to commend it for that at least. Here is why Trolls actually turned out to be a nice little one-off.

The story surrounding this film is quite simple. Creatures called the Bergens, gather around a tree (the Troll village) once a year in order to feast on them to find happiness in their otherwise dull existence. Finding a way to escape and hide, one Bergen is still able to track them down and take a few. Determined to find her friends before they are devoured, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) find themselves on an adventure across the village. Yes, the plot is as thin as it sounds and it is completely directed toward the 3-10 age group, but as a film that is trying to accomplish just that and nothing more, it is completely serviceable. What makes the plot more interesting is the fact that it is mainly told through song.

Normally in films like this, they are riddled with popular music in order to sell certain aspects to people who would have no interest in the first place. Popular music sprinkled throughout films are meant to make people feel a certain emotion, but the way it is displayed here is the most clever gimmick ever. Every popular song chosen to play throughout the course of this film serves a purpose toward the overall story and the payoff put a big ol' grin on my face. Sure, there are some musical numbers that are there just for fun, but when the final act has its big moment and life lesson, I can't say anything except for the fact that it works. Making this a musical definitely saved its average story.

Of course a Hollywood animated film would be able to attach some big names to voice its characters, but there is something out of the ordinary with Kendrick and Timberlake. They bring so much fun to these characters that I was looking forward to every scene they shared together. Their duets really shine off the screen here and it may even make some people trickle a few tears when their "true colours" are revealed in the final act. I thoroughly believe this film to be far more effective than it had any right to be and kids will surely have a blast with the fun visuals and characters.

Filled with fantastically colourful visuals from start to finish, characters more compelling than one may think going in, and a message that is great for all kids, Trolls is a definitely surprisingly better than it should be. That being said, I really believe that the only people to love this film will be younger kids. Its story has just enough to make them think, while also being entertained by the music and visuals. It is predictable from start to finish, even though there is one very effective moment, and it will not be remembered as one of the better animated films as time goes on. As a one-off, sure, I will recommend bringing your kids to this film. I do not see myself revisiting this film anytime soon, but if I happened to catch it on television down the road, it will be a harmless second viewing. For something that I expected to be nothing but slapstick in the same vein as The Smurfs, Trolls is pretty impressive for what it is. A decent little flick for the whole family.