Movie review: Hello, dolly, this is ‘Trolls,' dolly
Can we say "Trolls" is a hair-raising experience? Sure we can. Any time you base a movie on a doll with a Don King ‘do dating back to 1959, you can say just about anything.
Surprisingly, this animated film rates a step above all those others films based on dolls. Take that, G.I. Joe.
Here's what "Trolls" has going for it: For young children, it is extremely bright and colorful (some visually sensitive viewers may want to trade in their 3D specs for sunglasses). In fact, its prismatic vibe borders on psychedelic, ideal for all you flower children of the 60s.
The film also features plenty of hyperkinetic action, so much so it could use a shot of Ritalin. For older children, the film contains a lot of singing and dancing and, yes, romance. As all for you adults, there's a nice message that you hope your charges will take home with them about happiness coming from within. Also, I challenge all you softies in the audience not to get a little moist in the eyes during a rendition of "True Colors."
The film also benefits from a stellar vocal cast, including Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Zooey Deschanel, Christine Baranski and Jeffrey Tambor.
Less than stellar are the formulaic plot and blah original songs. The film appears as a vanity project of sorts for Timberlake, who serves as its executive music producer and wields a heavy hand on its soundtrack. The golden oldies fare much better.
Meanwhile, co-directors Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn along with co-screenplay writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, travel on the easy-to-please trail adding just enough snark to avoid a saccharine overdose. Bathroom humor flourishes, too. For example, when King Poppy (voice of Tambor) says, "No troll left behind," we later see his behind while another Troll discharges glitter from his behind. We should note that Mitchell's resume includes "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo." Say no more. I also would prefer to say "no more" about 3D movies. This one, at least, won't make you gag. High praise, I know.
"Trolls" begins with narration accompanied by a scrapbook from Princess Poppy (voice of Kendrick), the happiest of the eternally happy trolls, who tells a tale of the ogre-like Bergens. Unlike Trolls, they are unhappy, but they can gain happiness by eating Trolls. You know, you just can't have enough movies for children portraying the joys of cannibalism. Each year, one day is set aside by the Bergens to consume a Troll and acquire happiness. It's called the Trollstice. On this particular day, Chef, (voice of Baranski), the Bergen in charge of orchestrating this feast, plans to serve up Princess Poppy to Prince Gristle (voice of Mintz-Plasse). Unfortunately, her plan goes awry when the Trolls escape from Bergentown and she gets the blame.
By the way, for all you Norwegians out there offended by having one of your cities associated with ogres, the indignities don't stop there. The film also "discos up" an excerpt from the most famous piece of music by Norway's most famous classical music composer. That would be Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt." Shake your booty to "In the Hall of the Mountain King," kids.
Anyway, the Trolls are now living happily in a forest and Poppy wants to celebrate 20 years of this happiness with a party. The only Troll not celebrating is Branch (voice of Timberlake), a doom-and-gloom type who fears the Bergens will find out their location if they hear all this joviality. We know he has gaiety issues because he's drawn gray. He also doesn't like to sing and dance. He even eschews hugging, much to Poppy's dismay.
Of course, Branch's pessimism pays off when Chef hears the noise, shows up in the forest and captures a handful of Trolls. It's now up to Poppy to rescue them before they end up as supper, and you'll never guess who reluctantly agrees to assist her.
Once back in Bergentown, Poppy and Branch find an unlikely ally in Bridget (voice of Deschanel), Chef's downtrodden scullery maid. They give her a makeover and she gets transformed into Lady Glitter Sparkles. As such, she becomes the love interest of Gristle, who is now king. Shades of Cinderella. Will they find happiness? Will Branch find happiness? Will the Bergens find happiness? Will the captured Trolls be served with paprika? The suspense is palpable.
Of course, the film rolls out the prerequisite scene where all seems lost and even Poppy starts to believe that maybe life isn't all cupcakes and rainbows. Bite your Troll tongue, princess.
Fret not, folks, a movie engulfed by cuteness is not going to accentuate the negative. The cynics among us may also wonder if the film is just an excuse to sell merchandise. If "Citizen Kane" were made today, the filmmakers might have hoped for an increase in sled sales.
Oh well, the good news is "Trolls" offers enough frothy fun to pass for harmless entertainment these days. It's the best you can hope for when your stars are made out of plastic.
"Trolls" is 94 minutes long and rated PG for some mild rude humor.
It is directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn and features the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Christine Baranski.
Grade: B