Trolls Band Together – Film Review

Trolls Band Together had a stellar cast, colorful animation, and an intriguing premise that made it seem like it was going to be a relatively fun addition to the Trolls series. But in spite of its vibrant exterior and memorable musical numbers, the film falls short of the enchantment of its forerunners, making it one of the least memorable releases of the year thus far. Even though this entry might make kids laugh a little bit, it’s difficult to avoid the thought that kids would have preferred to watch the first few films rather than this one.

The way the story is presented in the film is among its biggest flaws. The storyline, which centers on Branch and Poppy saving Floyd and getting their broken boyband back together, is cliched and shallow. The plot develops in a predictable way with few plot twists or surprises to keep the audience interested. The film struggles to find a balance between adventure, comedy, and poignant moments, so its attempts to combine them all fall flat. The poignant moments are frequently forced and feel unconnected to the main plot, lacking real depth.

The characterization is another disappointment. The voice cast is excellent, but the characters still come across as clichéd and one-dimensional. The character of Queen Poppy, portrayed by Anna Kendrick, doesn’t really change from the cheerful, vivacious person we’ve seen in the earlier movies. Justin Timberlake‘s portrayal of Branch, meanwhile, likewise exhibits little development, adhering to his unduly cautious disposition without delving into new areas of his personality. The story loses something new with the addition of new characters like Kid Cudi‘s and Eric André‘s voices for Branch’s brothers and Camila Cabello‘s Viva. These characters are unmemorable and underdeveloped.

Even though the movie’s musical sequences are unquestionably catchy and expertly choreographed, they lack the originality and inventiveness of the Trolls films. Though enjoyable, the songs lack the infectious energy that made the franchise’s music stand out and don’t have a lasting effect. The film’s attempts at humor also frequently veer into the juvenile and predictable, failing to appeal to a broader demographic or provide smart, clever jokes that both adults and children can enjoy.

An important plus is that Trolls Band Together keeps the bright, colorful animation style for which the franchise is renowned. The world of the Trolls is visually appealing, with vibrant colors and creative designs. Nevertheless, the film’s mediocre plot and character development cannot be made up for by the visual extravaganza on its own.

The cast does a passable job voice acting, but their potential is hindered by the drab dialogue and shallow character development. The voice acting experience isn’t improved by the addition of gifted newcomers like Daveed Diggs, Amy Schumer, and Andrew Rannells because their characters don’t have enough depth to make an impact.

Fortunately, Kendrick is still the voice cast’s main standout. It’s always a great joy to see another film in which Kendrick gives it her all, even though her character may not have had the opportunity to develop as much as it could have. She’s honestly far too gifted for a franchise of this caliber, and all I can hope for is that in the future, I get to witness more amazing voice acting from her.

Trolls Band Together‘s vibrant animation and infectious music may captivate even the youngest viewers. However, this installment falls short of expectations for anyone looking for a film with a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and endearing humor. The film is a forgettable addition to the Trolls franchise because, despite the talented cast’s best efforts, it is unable to replicate the charm and magic of its predecessors.