Trolls World Tour

Trolls World Tour is an animation, adventure, and comedy film released in 2020 and serves as the sequel to the 2016 animated hit, Trolls. The film is produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. Directed by Walt Dohrn, and co-directed by David P. Smith, this musical extravaganza is bubbling with vibrancy and is emotionally ebullient, designed to thrill younger audiences and also charm the older ones. It’s a whimsical but thoughtful exploration of the music world, with the patent joyfulness and colors associated with the Trolls franchise remaining intact.

In this sequel, Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake reprise their roles as Poppy and Branch, respectively. Poppy is the relentlessly upbeat queen of the Pop Trolls, while Branch is her best friend who has finally shed his grumpy exterior. Kendrick and Timberlake's dynamic voice performances skillfully embody the spirit of these characters. They are as charming as ever, with Kendrick's ebullience balanced by Timberlake's understated humor.

As the movie opens, we find that the Trolls universe we thought we knew is much bigger. We're thrown into a Trolls multiverse - six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands. Each tribe is devoted to a different kind of music: Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop, and Rock. This underlying theme reveals a purposeful and promising drive towards underlining the beauty of diversity and the power of music.

Rachel Bloom joins this eclectic mix, voicing the character of Hard Rock Queen Barb. She's on a mission not to bring harmony but to destroy all music - except rock. With sights set on world domination, Barb seeks to unite all the strings from each land to play a power chord on her apocalyptical guitar, which would turn the other musical trolls into Rock zombies.

It's up to Poppy and Branch to journey beyond their home in Pop Village to stop Barb. The characters embark on their mission across the land and meet an array of colorful characters from the different musical realms, including a bounty hunter troll named Chaz (voiced by Jamie Dornan), the ruler of the Funk Trolls, King Quincy (voiced by George Clinton) and Queen Essence (voiced by Mary J. Blige). The star-studded voice cast also features James Corden, Ron Funches, Kelly Clarkson, Anderson Paak, Sam Rockwell, and others, all contributing to the diverse musical landscape of the film.

Trolls World Tour genuinely thrives in its spectacular animation. The visual designs and color palette are beyond dazzling, full of neon hues, stunning landscapes, and the distinct appearances of the diverse troll tribes. The inventive use of textiles and print patterns to suggest the distinctive aesthetics of each tribe is worthy of a mention. Each scene is bathed in rich, vibrant colors creating an endlessly magical spectacle for young viewers, and older ones too. Besides all the on-screen dazzle, the strong musical theme and the cultural references paired with chart-topping musical numbers make it something of a blast.

However, the narrative isn't exclusively centered around the musical adventure, but it also delivers socially relevant messages about the acceptance of diversity and the recognition of other ways of life and musical forms. These messages, although delivered subtly, reinforces the film's theme and makes it stand apart from being merely a visually stunning spectacle.

In a nutshell, Trolls World Tour offers more than just a wonder-inducing, visually resplendent cinematic experience. It stands as a testament to how the power of music and the spirit of unity and acceptance could gel together into a fantastically inclusive, entertaining piece of storytelling. The expansive range of characters, each belonging to different musical genres, provides a great opportunity for kids to have a wonderful introduction to the world of music. The narrative is intelligently pieced together to offer high emotional stakes, encouraging kids and adults alike to think and empathize with the characters.

Trolls World Tour is an engaging cinematic adventure, filled with enough charm, delight, and heart to keep audiences engaged. For fans of the first film and newcomers alike, it is an extravaganza of color, sound, and movement, a beautiful symphony of fun, craziness, happiness, and life lessons that keeps both the ears and eyes entertained while also evoking the heart and mind. With its musical magic and visually stunning animation, Trolls World Tour fulfills its promise of bringing joy and happiness to viewers across the globe.