The Stream: A little boring with a forced storyline
The Big Screen: Some really good music, a couple solid laughs and an uplifting message
The Final: Not as good as the first, but the message of the movie is beautiful
-S2S: Movie Review
Directors: Walt Dohrn, David P. Smith (co-director)
Writers: Jonathan Aibel (screenplay by), Glenn Berger (screenplay by) | 6 more credits »
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom | See full cast & crew »
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Platform: Hulu and Amazon Prime (for free currently) and all streaming services for rent/buy options
Welcome all! Stream to Big Screen is here to fill your brain with content. On the eve of the first Presidential debate of 2020, I thought I should watch something uplifting before the debate depresses me even further. So I went to a franchise that’s brought me much joy over the last couple years, Trolls. Trolls World Tour is the follow up film to Trolls (2016). In this film, we follow our beloved Queen Poppy and Branch as they discover that they are but one of six different Troll tribes scattered over six different lands devoted to six different kinds of music: Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop and Rock. As their world gets bigger and louder, so must their hearts when Queen Barb tries to take over and destroy music. High stakes for Poppy, Branch, and friends, but let’s see if it’s worth finding out the result.
I’ll tell you now that the storyline is predictable and unimportant. THE MESSAGE that we get from the storyline and songs, on the other hand is quite important, especially during this current time of divisive speech, social unrest, and political conflict. Inclusiveness, tolerance, acceptance and sharing are all worthy themes that are found throughout the film. This is a message that our current President, members of Congress, and each individual across the globe need to learn and truly embrace. Ok, enough of the feel good messaging. Trolls World Tour does plenty of that.
Let’s talk about the rest. The movie feels similar to Trolls, but in a way, it fails to live up to hype. We fell in love with Lady Glittersparkles and the lowly Bergens, but we got none of that magic. The characters we do get in this sequel are great, but there may be too many of them. We have “yuge” starpower in this movie. From Kenan Thompson to Kelly Clarkson and Mary J. Blige to Justin Timberlake, Trolls World Tour allows each to hit their moments but, boy, we could’ve had more. The songs in this movie are heartfelt and charismatic. The jokes are pointed and hard-hitting but there aren’t enough. Trolls World Tour could’ve been purely a song fest with some comic relief, but unfortunately, there is too much chitter chatter. Yes, the chitter chatter furthers the great message but the songs make you feel it much more.
Needless to say, Trolls World Tour is meant for teaching our future tolerance, respect, and love for the differences between each of us. This is a message that all leadership needs to endorse and follow. For that, Trolls World Tour is not a must see but I can promise you that you’ll enjoy the tunes and laughs. Grab a bowl of popcorn and charge up your karaoke mic because the world tour is ready for you.
P.S. Get Registered to vote before the deadlines in early October. Vote early via mail or in person, if you are able. Go vote! It’s your civic duty!
And fill out the Census while you’re at it!
Stream To Big Screen 