Movie Review – Trolls brings smiles to faces young, old

By  Hannah Lathen

DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls will premiere in theaters Nov. 4. Photo courtesy DreamWorks
DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls will premiere in theaters Nov. 4.
Photo courtesy DreamWorks

The exuberant amount of energy and glee bursting from DreamWorks Animation’s latest star-studded film Trolls is exactly what 2016 needed. 

The film focuses on the lives of two different villages of creatures, Trolls and Bergens. Trolls believe in being happy all the time. They sing, dance and set aside time to hug and love one another.

In contrast, the Bergens live in a joyless world and believe the only way to feel happiness is to eat a Troll. This becomes a serious problem for the Trolls when several are captured and sent off to be cooked in feast for the king of the Bergens.

The princess of the Trolls, Poppy, voiced by Anna Kendrick, sets off with her less-than-enthusiastic friend Branch, voiced by Justin Timberlake, to save them.

Familiar voices are heard throughout the film including James Corden, Gwen Stefani and Russell Brand.

The soundtrack is a star in itself. Characters perform original and old songs, giving the audience a sense of interaction.

Trolls sends out a simple but still very important message to hear as a young child and to be reminded of as an adult. Everyone deserves happiness, and everyone can find it in the right places. It is a great stride in the animated movie world for the spread of positivity to be so heavily pushed.

Trolls can bring a smile to anyone’s face, old and young, but it is important to keep in mind that the general audience is children. The film has quite a dose of corny jokes and silly puns, but that makes it even more of a feel-good movie.

Anyone who needs spirits lifted or just wants to have an innocent laugh should make a point to go see Trolls.