Trolls, DreamWorks's new animated adaptation of the curious little wild-haired dolls which date back to 1959, plays like Inside Out meets Up mixed with the art design of Little Big Planet, The Lorax and The Boxtrolls and infused with the infectious energy of a Justin Timberlake concert. It's the type of movie a cineaste might rail against for its lack of originality and a pop culture obsessive might critique for its overly simplistic message about happiness. Meanwhile, for those adults and parents who don't take films so seriously they'll likely regard Trolls as being "a cute movie." The kids of the world will, of course, demand Trolls-related toys for the next couple of months and probably amuse family members while dancing to songs on the soundtrack through Spotify, and this won't necessarily turn into a "Let It Go" situation since Trolls is a mostly a jukebox musical reusing fantastic older songs (including a brilliant incorpation of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" in a pivotal scene) most adults already know (and/or love).
Normally, I would fall into the "cineaste" category, and ever so insufferably roll my eyes at those who would begin and end their discussion of Trolls with "it's a cute movie." Yet here I am wishing I could simply say "it's a cute movie," watch the music video for Justin Timberlake's big song on the soundtrack and then call it a day. I'll at least share the video:
And that right there is what Trolls is about. It's about inspiring people to just get up and dance. Stop being so sad. Stop looking for happiness in all sorts of external sources. True happiness lies inside of you. To unlock it, sometimes you just need to move to the groove of an infectious song.
Is life really that simple? Didn't Inside Out teach the kids of the world it's okay to be sad sometimes, that even life's most joyful moments can have a tinge of sadness in them? What exactly is Trolls bringing to the table, just a wide-eyed boast that we can all be happy all the time as long as we have friends and family? Plus, where does any of this leave those with hearing disabilities as well as those who are physically incapable of dancing?
What's that you're saying, other me? I couldn't any hear of that over "Can't Stop This Feeling," which I am currently listening to for the 50th time while perfecting my desk dancing. You're right, though. I need to re-focus. After all, I'm supposed to be writing a review.
Trolls' message about happiness is communicated through a somewhat wonky plot. In a somewhat undefined fantasy world, there live two primary creatures: the trolls and the bergens, the former being endlessly optimistic folk given to constant partying and hugging and the latter Boxtroll-like creatures who believe happiness can only be achieved by eating trolls since that releases the equivalent of endorphins into their bloodstream. The trolls, led by a brave king (Jeffrey Tambor), escape their captivity and live in hiding for 20 years until Princess Poppyseed's (Anna Kendrick) big party draws the bergens right to them. All of her friends are taken, and she vows to rescue them. Recognizing she'll need the hope of the only unhappy troll (Justin Timberlake) she knows since he also happens to be the resident expert in all things bergen, she turns to Branch (Justin Timberlake) for help. When he initially (and predictably) refuses, she manipulates him into going with her, and thus we have a familiar buddy comedy pairing:
She's the Princess Vanellope to his Wreck-It Ralph.
She's the Russell to his Carl.
She's the Rapunzel to his Flynn.
She's the Joy to his Sadness.
Along the way, they encounter all the craziness the world has to offer, and then end up playing Cyrano to a scullery maid (Zooey Deschanel, who sounds like herself during the songs but not so much during the dialogue since she speaks in a much higher pitch than usual) who is madly in love with bergen king (Josh Gad).
And....
That same music video again? No, no, no...focus. I need to finish this review, maybe talk about the clever bits when the animation briefly reverts to a cardboard cutout 2D style to mimic the scrapbook the Princess is making about her adventure.
"Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance"Oh, no you don't, Justin Timberlake song that plays at the end of the movie. You are not going to get in my head and distract me from properly assessing this film.
"Feeling good, good, creeping up on you/So just dance, dance, dance, come on/All those things I shouldn't do, But you dance, dance, dance"It's. Just. Too. Catchy. Urge to resist falling. Falling. RISING. Falling. Gone.
"And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing/ I can't stop the feeling/So just dance, dance, dance/
I can't stop the feeling/So just dance, dance, dance, come on"
Fine. I give up. That Trolls? Yeah, it's a cute movie. So, just dance, dance, dance.
ROTTENTOMATOES CONSENSUS
