Review: 'Trolls World Tour' is a vibrant escape from these monochrome days

Trolls World Tour
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Director: Walt Dohrn, David P. Smith
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky Elizabeth Tippet
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Rated: PG for some mild rude humor

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) – Synopsis: The magical world of Trolls is much larger than Poppy and Branch believed it to be. Other lands with distinctly different musical style and fashions exist. Now, they are all in danger as Barb, a hard-rock princess, looks to unite the Troll world through assimilation.

Review: About three minutes into “Trolls World Tour” I wondered how the film might have looked, sounded and ultimately felt if I had been watching it in a movie theater. Bigger and louder, obviously, but better?

Yes, I think so. Not because of size or volume; because “Trolls World Tour” is a film that should be watched with an audience. There should be laughter and spontaneous dancing. Trapped in the confines of my room, the film just didn’t feel right.

That’s not the filmmakers’ fault. I just really missed going out to the movies.

“Trolls” was a rescue romp with a very light touch. I won’t say there wasn’t any sense of danger, but most people remember the film for its songs and not for the storyline that featured Trolls being devoured by the ghoulish Bergens.

“Trolls World Tour” has a little more substance as it explores themes of individuality and the value of diversity. Barb, a heavy-metal-loving Troll, wants to unite the Troll world by getting rid of any and all other forms of music. The lands of Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop and Rock need to be burned to the ground and resurrected with a magical power chord.

Like “Frozen II,” there’s a sense of needing to abandon old ideas and atone for the mistakes of that previous generations made. It is almost as if the franchises are having a coming-of-age moment where the characters realize they aren’t the center of the universe. They initially bristle at the thought of otherness (in this case the difference being taste in music), but eventually find beauty in diversity.

It’s not nearly as heavy handed as that description suggests. It's mostly cotton candy, sugary and sweet, but there's something at its center and that's appreciated.

“Trolls World Tour” isn’t nearly as much fun as “Trolls,” but its message is more likely to stick with you. There’s nothing here as catchy as “Can’t Stop the Feeling!,” but few things are.