Trolls

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: November 4, 2016

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 206 Ratings

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madmoviemanNov 29, 2016

In truth, this film fulfilled every single expectation I had going in. It’s a bright, upbeat and musical adventure that will easily keep kids entertained and smiling for its entire duration. On the one hand, the happy and colourful vibes areIn truth, this film fulfilled every single expectation I had going in. It’s a bright, upbeat and musical adventure that will easily keep kids entertained and smiling for its entire duration. On the one hand, the happy and colourful vibes are a lot of fun, but given the film’s painfully formulaic story, occasionally excessive cheeriness and obnoxious musical numbers, Trolls is often more annoying than the pleasant family affair that it could be.

However, let’s start on the bright side, with the incredibly bright colours. If there’s any reason that kids (we’re looking at 8 years and under) are going to like this, it’s because it’s full of colours and joy wherever you look. A perfect merchandising picture, Trolls does the job of being the kaleidoscopic family distraction it needs to, but also goes a little further by usually being happy from the heart, which did bring a smile to my face from time to time.

Another positive from this film is the voice cast. It’s an A-list ensemble, and the likes of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel and Christopher Mintz-Plasse all put in energetic and entertaining performances. The screenplay doesn’t give them much to work with, but in fulfilling the primary objective of being upbeat and enjoyable, you can’t fault the cast here.

Despite that, the ultra-happiness of this film is something that’s likely to wear thin for anyone over 8 years old, and unfortunately turn into a more annoying watch than anything. Of course, this film is great for its target audience, but I would definitely warn any parents or anyone else thinking of watching this that it’s going to get boring very quickly, and then get even more irritating.

A large part of that is down to the story. The quest to rescue x and y is probably the most overplayed plot formula in kids’ movies. Now, some films have proved that to be a great watch (Finding Nemo for example), but usually by offering a little more depth than simply watching the characters walk through various landscapes and then sing a song at the end.

Here, however, there’s very little beneath the surface. Again, it’s bright and colourful, and that’s all young kids need for an enjoyable watch, but the story’s lack of depth and originality becomes painfully apparent very early on, and sets you up for a good hour of totally predictable and uninteresting adventure clichés.

All of that’s pretty bad, but if there’s one thing that I really hated about this film, then it’s the music. Heavily advertised as a musical before release, you’d be forgiven for expecting some entertaining melodies here, but that’s not the case. We know how good singers Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake and Zooey Deschanel are, but this film just pushes the music way too much.

Constantly getting in the way of the plot’s development, the music seems to only be there to get the runtime over 70 minutes, failing to give you the same love for singing as the trolls do. The specific songs are generally classic pop hits, but jukebox musicals only work if the music fits in the film, and it just didn’t come together here, with a weird variety of songs (including The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel for some reason) that is yet again for annoying and distracting than entertaining.

Overall, whilst it’s definitely an enjoyable watch for young children, given its bright colours, simple plot and upbeat vibes, Trolls is unfortunately a pretty intolerable watch for anyone else. Its shallow and formulaic story is boring, its happy atmosphere gets on your nerves pretty quickly, and the music is intrusive and annoying at every moment.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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GAMERGUYCASUALMay 31, 2018

This movie was absolutely awful, I can't even begin to fathom the things that are wrong with this movie. It serves its purpose as a family flick that kids can be occupied by for a couple hours. The soundtrack is easily one of the worstThis movie was absolutely awful, I can't even begin to fathom the things that are wrong with this movie. It serves its purpose as a family flick that kids can be occupied by for a couple hours. The soundtrack is easily one of the worst soundtracks in movie history mostly because I don't like this type of music, but then again it's for children who are into that kinda stuff.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Bmeyer8Nov 5, 2016

I'm a big DreamWorks Animation fan myself, but Trolls is their first movie to be for kids and not families. I was disappointed in this movie, the humor is O.K., but it's a DreamWorks movie that really pandered to kids like the Despicable MeI'm a big DreamWorks Animation fan myself, but Trolls is their first movie to be for kids and not families. I was disappointed in this movie, the humor is O.K., but it's a DreamWorks movie that really pandered to kids like the Despicable Me franchise and The Secret Life of Pets. If you're looking for a very mature DreamWorks movie, I'd watch the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, that's for older people more.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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EpicLadySpongeNov 4, 2016

DreamWorks Animation is not, and never will be, Pixar or even near it. Films like this prove my point. They do make great films to watch, but sometimes they slip mistakes like, what I said, this one. Trolls may not be terrible (not even nearDreamWorks Animation is not, and never will be, Pixar or even near it. Films like this prove my point. They do make great films to watch, but sometimes they slip mistakes like, what I said, this one. Trolls may not be terrible (not even near it) but it's just a jumbled mess that hardly makes any sense whatsoever.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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TVJerryNov 8, 2016

The titular characters enjoy a life of singing, dancing and hugging until the evil Bergens threaten to eat them. There's lots of lively music and an energetic pace that keeps the movie moving, but the characters aren't especially charming andThe titular characters enjoy a life of singing, dancing and hugging until the evil Bergens threaten to eat them. There's lots of lively music and an energetic pace that keeps the movie moving, but the characters aren't especially charming and most of the jokes are pretty flat. The story repeats it's simple message endlessly and offers little else (like cute character types or wacky gags). It's colorful and fun, but not especially original or delightful.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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TheRealJB99Nov 23, 2016

wow this films is one swift blown to dreamworks simultaneously destroying everybody involved careers seriously,people say shot give kids autism but this will melt there brains, its just bright colors to get attention but lacks a real storywow this films is one swift blown to dreamworks simultaneously destroying everybody involved careers seriously,people say shot give kids autism but this will melt there brains, its just bright colors to get attention but lacks a real story with depth.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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CriticFerDec 4, 2016

I really dislike this movie. I knew it was going to be garbage. The story, the characters, the song, the moral and the rest of the jokes. But, it had good things like the animation, the last two songs, the two main characters, some of theI really dislike this movie. I knew it was going to be garbage. The story, the characters, the song, the moral and the rest of the jokes. But, it had good things like the animation, the last two songs, the two main characters, some of the jokes and the voice cast. But yeah, is a really wast of time. But honestly, is not Dreamworks Worst film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Compi24Apr 26, 2017

This latest adaptation of a beloved trinket of yesteryear comes in the form of a mixed bag. For every imaginative musical set piece featuring great animation for all ages to savor, you get a poop joke. For every likable original song, there'sThis latest adaptation of a beloved trinket of yesteryear comes in the form of a mixed bag. For every imaginative musical set piece featuring great animation for all ages to savor, you get a poop joke. For every likable original song, there's a half-baked cover of a classic that just seems shoehorned into the narrative for the sake of a potential audience sing-along. For every few novel narrative devices, there's about a handful of other conveniences that comprise the plot. Don't get me wrong - this is not a wholly bad film at all. In fact, it's much better than any film based on a toy should be. I just wish the filmmakers in question would have tried a bit harder, and employed less tropey and cliched stylistics and thematics in executing this film.… Expand