Trolls

Score: 7/10

Recommendation: See it at a dollar theater

Summary: Fun characters, good music, and quality storytelling somehow make a super predictable plot entertaining.

Review:

Trolls is a classic example of that film where the trailer immediately makes me think I'm going to hate it. I went to the screening yesterday with the intention of ranting about how bad this movie is. I really didn't want to like Trolls; however, after the first couple songs, I found myself enjoying the film. In fact, I'm listening to the soundtrack right now. Since Trolls won't be released to general audiences until November 4th, this will be spoiler free (although honestly, you'll know pretty much exactly where this film is going about 10 minutes into it).

Trolls is a Dreamworks movie about those creepy troll toys first released in 1959. Remember? Trolls are those toys you can't feed after midnight? (I know. Those are Gremlins... But come on, I can't be the only one who finds these creepy) Fortunately, Dreamworks moved away from skin colored and naked and made the trolls much more appealing. Trolls follows two trolls in particular, Blanch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick). Poppy is the quintessential troll who loves to dance, sing, and give hugs just like every good troll should in order to stay happy. Blanch, on the other hand, hates singing, dancing, and hugs. The two are naturally drawn together to save the other trolls who have been kidnapped. The world is both adorable but dangerous, which is fitting to justify both characters' points of view.

Like I mentioned before, the story is not the reason that this film is enjoyable. It is a serviceable story but nothing spectacular. The best part is the music and visuals. You had better like musicals though because Trolls is pretty close to being a happy kids version of Les Miserables (fine, this is an exaggeration, but there's a lot of singing, ok?). The modern music is almost obnoxiously positive and upbeat if it weren't also so catchy and easy to dance to. My 10 month old nephew can't even resist giggling and dancing every time "Can't stop the feeling" starts.

Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake do very well as voice actors and really have to carry the film since most of the other trolls are not given very much screen time at all. Both are likable and work well together. As far as technical production goes, Trolls is great. I'm studying animation, so I often focus on the technical and art direction of animated films. Lately, Dreamworks has been much more experimental with their films than Disney, Pixar or other studios. Even though the other studios have put out stronger films overall, I appreciate the creativity that Dreamworks is showing. Kung Fu Panda 3 had unique render settings to make it look flatter, or make the colors stronger, especially in the Spirit World or in the intro. Trolls also has interesting edits, and shots that make their films stand out from other studios. Obviously their animation/art quality rival the best CGI animation studios, and trolls is in no way a step down from that level of quality.

Sometimes you don't want a movie to blow you away, sometimes you just want to be entertained. Well, here's your movie! I recommend this as just a mindless feelgood kids movie. I may not be bubbling over with excitement after seeing the film but even so I will award Dreamworks' Trolls 7 little glass afros out of 10.