Direction: Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrn; Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschannel, Russel Brand, Jaime Corden, Gwen Stefani, Christine Baranski; Story: Erica Rivinoja; Screenplay: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger; Cinematography: Yong Duk Jhun; Editing: Nick Fletcher; Music: Christopher Beck; Producers: Gina Shay; Genre: Animation; Location:; Distributor: 20th Century Fox; Running Time: 90 minutes;
Technical assessment: 3.5
Moral assessment: 4
CINEMA rating: VA
MTRCB rating: GP
Trolls are about the happiest creatures on earth as their lives are filled with singing, dancing and hugging. But then the giant and perpetually miserable Bergens are convinced by their chef (Baranski) that they can have a moment of happiness by eating a troll. So, the Bergens capture all trolls and imprison them in a tree for their annual Trollstice. But on the day the crown Bergen prince, Gristle, Jr. was supposed to taste his first troll, King Peppy (Tambor), the trolls' brave king manages to free the captured trolls and lead them to safety. Angered, King Gristle Sr. banished the chef from Bergenland. Twenty years forward, Princess Poppy, holds a big and loud party in honor of the troll’s escape despite Branch’s, a gloomy grey troll, warning. And true to his prediction, the noise attracts the chef and captures most of Poppy’s friends. She returns to Bergenland and promises the king a sumptuous troll dinner so all of the kingdom can feel happiness. Poppy and the reluctant Branch head to Bergenland to save the trolls and befriend Bridget (Dechanel), a passionate but insecure maid who is secretly in love with King Gristle, Jr. The trolls help Bridget have a date with the King and allow them to feel happiness in each other’s company. Creek (Brand), betrays his fellow trolls and lead chef to their hiding place in order to save himself. But Bridget's love for her new friend gives her the courage to allow them to escape before they are served for dinner. Poppy and friends return for Bridget and eventually teach the Bergens that happiness comes from within.
Trolls is a fun movie with its amazing colors and dynamic covers of familiar songs. The production numbers of Kendrick and Timberlake are strong although at times stretched. The animation is imaginative and appeals to the young and older audiences—especially with music from the 70s-90s. But what makes the movie special is the tightness of the narrative and persuasiveness of the message without being cheesy. Happiness is repeatedly explained to Branch, Bridget and the Bergens but each time, it gives a different perspective. The storytelling is simplistic but not shallow which makes it perfect for children and rewarding enough for parents. And one thing for sure, Troll-like hair will start to be appreciated after watching the movie.
The pursuit of happiness seems to be the most important thing for the characters in Trolls. The trolls have it and are constantly trying to keep it, Branch has lost it and turned sarcastic, the Bergens are desperately trying to find it. But happiness as Poppy emphasizes is not what you put inside but what is already there. We find ourselves in each of these characters—holding on, losing and finding, but rarely do we see a Poppy in us who will realize that happiness does not come from the smiles and twinkly eyes. Instead, these are results of that love, friendship, and peace we have in our hearts. Material and physical possessions might give temporary satisfaction but these will not replace happiness we get from genuine relationships. While life is not always cupcakes and daisies, to know and choose to see that there is always light at the end of a dark tunnel gives us hope. And hope gives us the strength to let go and the courage to move forward.
