Review: Trolls

From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. This holiday season, enter a colourful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake, and soon-to-be classic mash-ups of songs from other popular artists, the film stars the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Gwen Stefani, and many more.

I will always remain to be a person that adores easy-watching family films; which is why Disney and Pixar will never cease to captivate me. I have an inital opinion that Dreamworks can be hit and miss but the fact that Anna Kendrick was amongst the cast made me optimistic about this one. Also, when someone dabbles in something you have fond childhood memories off, it can make you skeptical and for this reason, it’s safe to say that I approached this film with caution.

Within a few minutes, I was confident that even if the film was awful, I would leave with a smile on my face simply because of the catchy music, multitude of colours and the abundance of happiness. I, actually, found it incredibly cute and worthwhile watching.

Visually, it was hard not to be blown away with the incredible bright colours that, even though they could have become garish at some stage, always stayed the right side of the line. Colour makes you happy! I didn’t even realise just how much it can affect you until now! Poppy should teach a master class in scrapbooking happiness into the hearts of people – I was practically skipping out of the screen!

Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake did a wonderful job as the protagonist couple and even though the ending was wonderfully predictable from the beginning, I was executed with a laugh and warm feeling inside – not an eyeroll or tut anywhere!

I liked the use of the literal “happiness is on the inside” thing with the fact that the Bergens believed they could only access happiness by digesting it and even better that there was a moral within the story as well! Children will hopefully be leaving believing that they don’t have to eat to be happy – whether that was an intention to reduce childhood obesity or not, I think it might’ve worked. On leaving the cinema, I heard a child say that he knows happiness is on the inside and eating stuff won’t help. Sure, he was probably about 5 and not craving a chocolate bar, but it was progess!

Well done, Dreamworks! My favourite in a long time! A new go-to happy film and with an amazing soundtrack!!!!!