Trolls World Tour movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: TROLLS WORLD TOUR

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

This is Dreamworks Animation’s first film of the 2020s. There’s actually more singing than talking in this colorful sequel of Trolls and it’s David P. Smith’s directorial debut.

In a world gone crazy with the Coronavirus pandemic, maybe this lighthearted family film is just what we need.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be introduced to a variety of music styles.
One of the male trolls pops out a baby, which might prompt questions from your kids about how all of that works.
A lot of pop culture references that young kids won’t understand.
You see a fat troll’s butt crack.
Kids may want a cappuccino after seeing this because Queen Poppy gets excited about drinking one.
The only profanity consists of Delta Dawn (voiced by Kelly Clarkson) says, “Well, dangity doodley.”

THEMES:

Friend zone vs. true love
Bullying
Intolerance
“Hating things takes a lot of energy.” – Queen Barb Rock
“Music is supposed to make you happy.” – Queen Poppy
“You don’t have to be just one thing.” – Cooper
Listen to others, rather than do all of the talking
Music comes from inside you, from your experiences, and from your culture.
“Family, music, love.” – TechnoTroll King
Good connection
“Denying our differences is denying the truth of who we are.” – King Funk
“Differences do matter.” – Branch

THINGS I LIKED:

- The talented actors and musicians that make up the cast include award winners and big names such as Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Corden, Ozzy Osbourne, Rachel Bloom, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Sam Rockwell, George Clinton, and Kenan Thompson. Of course, I should mention that the McElroy brothers are also in it. They actually started a podcast entitled, “The McElroy Brothers Will Be In Trolls 2” so they could get cast in the film. Clever!
- I think Rachel Bloom is so talented, so I’m thrilled that she voices and sings a starring role in this movie. She was really great in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: The Complete First Season Parents, beware though. While that TV show is a fun musical, there is a LOT of adult content in it, making it inappropriate for kids.
- Cute animation with adorable facial expressions.
- Lots of physical humor.
- The smooth jazz troll section of the movie was hilarious.
- Quick recap in the beginning of the movie in case you missed the last TROLLS movie.
- After MANY animated films telling our children that we’re all the same, this one makes another important point: we are different and it’s okay. Differences shouldn’t be feared, but celebrated.

While Oreo cookies are generally really bad for you, I think it’s awesome that they have created a glittery new Oreos cookie in honor of this Trolls movie. I’m sure it has tons of food color and chemicals in it, but it looks really cute.

<br />

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Sometimes you can’t understand what the trolls say.
If you haven’t seen the first Trolls movie, you won’t know what is going on or what the troll world is all about. Even if you have, several exposition scenes are required a few times to explain the past film, as well as for you to understand what’s happening in this present film. If you haven’t seen the first movie in the franchise, you need to know that the Queen Poppy and Branch wear wristwatches that ring an alarm each hour to remind them it’s time for hugs.
Most of the movie feels loud, frenzied, and chaotic.
As a rock lover, it bothers me that the rock trolls are the bad guys. (wink)

FUNNY LINES:

“Gum drops: soundproof and delicious.” – Hickory (Sam Rockwell)
“This map is outdated. See, it still has Disco.” – Branch (Justin Timberlake)
“Who’s ready to get tattoos on every part of our body except our faces in case we still need to get office jobs?” – Branch

INTERESTING LINES: