Trolls Reviews

If you're in the mood for sprightly-colored cinematic cotton candy, look no further than Trolls, a trippy sugar rush of a movie that's sure to delight kids and most, if not all, of their parents. While its feel-good vibe may be a bit cornball and its message simplistic ("happiness is inside all of us; sometimes you just need someone to help you find it"), there's no denying its ability to splash a smile across your face.Based on the trendy, wild-haired dolls that were popular back in the '60s and '70s, Trolls are happy-go-lucky creatures who live to sing and dance, throw outrageously joyful parties, and dole out group hugs every hour. But their cupcakes-and-rainbows existence is threatened by the dour denizens of Bergen Town, as the gloomy, Eeyore-like Bergens believe they can only experience happiness by eating a Troll. To that end, Chef (Christine Baranski) -- a particularly nasty and disgraced Bergen -- invades the Trolls' camp, scoops up several of them, and hightails it back to Bergen Town, where she plans to serve them to disgruntled King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) in order to get back in his good graces. But Chef didn't count on Poppy (Anna Kendrick), a vivacious, scrapbook-loving Troll, and Branch (Justin Timberlake), her reluctant, overly cautious pal, setting off on a rescue mission to save their friends. Together, the two -- spoiler alert! -- not only accomplish their mission, but also transform Bergen Town into a peppy paradise.Poppy and Branch's journey is accompanied by a playful jukebox soundtrack that includes several clever covers. Kendrick brings dry wit to Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence"; Zooey Deschanel, as a lovelorn scullery maid, exudes heartbreak on Lionel Richie's "Hello"; and Timberlake delivers a lovely, tender take of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors." These musical references will, of course, fly over the heads of younger viewers, but parents will find them especially appealing. The musical highlight, however, is Timberlake's sunny radio hit "Can't Stop the Feeling," which should be on the Oscar short list for Best Original Song.Trolls is thin on story and doesn't possess the character depth found in most Pixar or Disney animated features, but it wins you over with irresistible charm, unflagging energy, and lush, eye-popping visuals. And it boasts a stellar voice cast that also includes Russell Brand, James Corden, Gwen Stefani, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Cleese. Yes, its pleasures, like tasty carnival confections, evaporate quickly. But while you're under its infectious spell it's sure to, as Timberlake sings, put sunshine in your pocket and good soul in your feet.