'Trolls World Tour' Review—Mildly Enjoyable Entertainment

I would pay a billion dollars to figure out precisely what the writers were thinking when they went, "what are some good songs that kids these days listen to? Oh, I got it! Gangnam Style! That's like the biggest song of 2020 so far!"

Walt Dohrn directs Dreamworks's newest animated feature, Trolls World Tour, a sequel to the 2016 film, Trolls. This musical adventure stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake as two trolls who set off on a quest to save the world from Queen Barb, a troll who is attempting to destroy all music and have hard rock rule the world.

This film was originally going to be released in theaters this weekend, but with the current pandemic, it was released on digital as well. And if your children have absolutely nothing else to watch during their quarantine, this movie will suffice.

When you think of the greatest animated films you've ever seen, there is very little chance that Trolls is high on that list. It's also likely not dead last, either, because as long as movies like The Emoji Movie come out, we can always look at films such as Trolls World Tour and say, "at least it's not the worst thing ever."

Trolls World Tour is the definition of middle-of-the-road animated cinema. It's not a great animated film, but it has some likable characters, a funny scene or two, and enough songs for children to listen to and sing along until your brain gets driven to mush.

It would be irrational to put this film on the pedestal of more mature animated films because this movie is not trying to be anything more than it is: a bright, colorful adventure with a lot of catchy music.

For example, this film opens with a troll rave, and soon after, a troll gives birth to a tiny rapping glittery troll voiced by Kenan Thompson. Some jokes in the film work, and others are gift-wrapped for five-year-old children to laugh at. Because let's face it: most adults will not laugh at a troll pooping out a birthday cake.

While the animation is very colorful and vibrant, the story is standard children's adventure schlock with song after song after song. The songs rarely ever end in this 90-minute children's flick that feels like they built a story around musical numbers instead of the other way around.

The dynamic between our two leads, Poppy and Branch, is fun because of their different personalities and potential romance. However, there is very little work given to developing the supporting characters and making them investing, especially James Corden's character who fails to be neither comic relief or a driving force that moves the plot forward.

Branch wants to confess his love for Poppy near the beginning, but like all love-shy animated men, he backs out at the last second, and this subplot is mostly forgotten until the very end of the film. You can take a good guess as to how this subplot plays out because if there's anything this movie is short on, it's surprises.

Another subplot revolves around a troll trying to find a troll that looks like him, and this subplot felt so inconsequential to the main story that it almost feels as if it were used to add some extra padding to the already-short runtime.

Despite my little nitpicks and frustrations, I must admit that the musical numbers are mildly enjoyable entertainment, and children will eat this movie up for its sheer entertainment value. Their parents, on the other hand, will find less enjoyment in watching this simple little musical adventure.

If there is one positive message that people may take away from a film like this, it is the idea that we should accept each other's differences and loving each other, and in these dark times, that's a message that I am willing to support.

While Trolls World Tour won't come within a mile of my favorite films of the year list, it's a film with a positive message that children will love for its music, adventure, story, and heart.

Grade: ★★★☆☆ (C+)