The first and second Trolls movies, based on the popular toy range, including pencil toppers, were both great fun, terrific animation and catchy well-known songs worked into the story, so hopes were high for the third outing. The trailer featured some obvious boyband puns in the script ("boys to men", "one direction", "backstreet"), so I knew what the plot would roughly involve, and I decided to see it on the big screen. Basically, in an opening flashback, it is revealed that Baby Branch (Alan Kim) has brothers and was part the boyband BroZone. They had huge success but disbanded following a concert gone wrong and went their separate ways. Years later, Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Queen Poppy (Anna Kendrick) are attending the wedding of Bergen King Gristle Jr. (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Bridget (Zooey Deschanel). Before minister Miss Maxine (RuPaul) has gotten to the vows, the ceremony is interrupted by the arrival of Branch's older brother John Dory (Eric André). Poppy is excited to learn of Branch's long-lost brother and his popstar past, especially because BroZone are her favourite band. John informs Branch that their younger Floyd (Troye Sivan) has been kidnapped by untalented popstar twins Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells). The twins have kidnapped Floyd to steal and drain him of his singing ability using their technological costumes. Veneer sees that the troll is suffering and could be killed if the draining of his talent continues, but Velvet refuses to stop and wants their success to continue. Despite Branch's objections and grumpiness, he agrees to join John, along with Poppy, on a journey to find the other brothers to help to rescue Floyd, and maybe reform the band. Eventually, the group manage to find brothers Spruce (Daveed Diggs) and Clay (Kid Cudi) in different parts of the kingdom. During the process, it turns out that Poppy has a long-lost older sister, Viva (Camila Cabello), who was kept secret from her by their father Peppy (Walt Dohrn) for some reason. The trolls all band together and make their way to rescue Floyd, but it all goes awry. This is until Veneer has a change of heart, having been mistreated by his older sister for so long, and goes against her to help the trolls to escape. The villains get what they deserve, and it ends with BroZone reunited onstage and celebrating with the whole kingdom. Also starring Zosia Mamet as Crimp, Icona Pop as Satin and Chenille, Anderson .Paak as Prince D, Ron Funches as Cooper, Kenan & Kel's Kenan Thompson as Tiny Diamond, Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond, David Fynn as Biggie, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Mr. Dinkles. The animation is colourful and eye-catching, the voice cast of comic and music talents is fine, and you cannot help but song along to renditions of pop favourites, including "Candy Girl", "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Stayin' Alive". The problem is the story is the least engaging of the franchise, many of the loveable characters have become either highly irritating, especially Poppy, or they are absent, and it is not that funny, the kids probably won't complain much, it is only a sort-of watchable but almost forgettable computer-animated musical comedy. Okay!
Review of Trolls Band Together
