TROLLS (2016)

Summary:

Trolls is a vibrant, musical animated adventure that follows the perpetually optimistic Princess Poppy and the curmudgeonly survivalist Branch on a perilous quest to rescue their friends from the Bergens. For generations, the Trolls have been the sole source of happiness for the miserable Bergens, who believe they can only achieve joy by consuming a Troll. After the Trolls escape their clutches twenty years prior, a reckless celebration draws the attention of the exiled Bergen Chef, leading to the capture of many Trolls.

Poppy, the happiest Troll of all, must learn to embrace the world beyond her bubble of positivity, while Branch, scarred by a past tragedy, must rediscover his inner song. Their journey takes them into the grim Bergen Town, where they encounter unexpected allies and discover that true happiness isn't something that can be eaten, but rather a feeling that resides within everyone, waiting to be found. The film is a colorful exploration of joy, fear, and the power of friendship and music.

Keywords: Trolls, 2016, Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Animation, Musical, Family, Adventure, DreamWorks.

Plot:

The story of Trolls begins with a historical recounting of the Trolls' plight. For centuries, the Bergens, a race of perpetually unhappy giants, believed the only way to experience happiness was to eat a Troll. Each year, on a day called Trollstice, the Bergens would gather to consume Trolls, experiencing a fleeting moment of joy. However, twenty years prior to the main events of the film, King Peppy, the father of Princess Poppy, led his people in a daring escape from Bergen Town, burrowing a tunnel to freedom and establishing a new, hidden village where Trolls could live in peace, happiness, and constant song and dance.

In the present day, Princess Poppy, the most optimistic and enthusiastic Troll imaginable, is preparing for the biggest, loudest, craziest party ever to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their escape. Despite warnings from Branch, a grey, survivalist Troll who constantly anticipates Bergen attacks and refuses to sing, Poppy insists on throwing a grand celebration. Her party, complete with fireworks and loud music, inadvertently attracts the attention of Chef, the disgraced Bergen royal chef who was banished for allowing the Trolls to escape two decades earlier. Chef infiltrates the Troll village and captures a significant number of Trolls, including Poppy's best friend, Creek, and her closest companions, the Snack Pack.

Devastated but determined, Poppy decides to embark on a rescue mission to Bergen Town, despite the overwhelming danger. King Peppy warns her against it, but Poppy, armed with her scrapbooking supplies and unwavering optimism, sets out alone. Branch, initially refusing to join, eventually follows, saving Poppy from several perils in the wilderness, much to her annoyance. Their journey is fraught with challenges, including carnivorous spiders and dangerous creatures, during which Branch's practical survival skills repeatedly clash with Poppy's naive positivity. Through these encounters, Poppy slowly begins to appreciate Branch's cautious nature, while Branch is subtly influenced by Poppy's unwavering hope.

Upon reaching Bergen Town, a grim and desolate place, they discover that the captured Trolls are being held in a cage in the Bergen castle. They also encounter Bridget, a kind-hearted but downtrodden Bergen scullery maid who secretly harbors a crush on the young and equally unhappy King Gristle Jr. Bridget is tasked with delivering the captured Trolls to Chef for the upcoming Trollstice feast. Poppy and Branch strike a deal with Bridget: they will help her win the affection of King Gristle Jr. if she helps them rescue their friends. Using their unique Troll talents, Poppy and Branch give Bridget a glamorous makeover, transforming her into a dazzling persona named "Lady Glittersparkles" and providing her with roller skates for an enchanting date with the King.

The date is a success, with Bridget and Gristle Jr. sharing a magical evening, culminating in a roller skating dance and a shared pizza. Poppy and Branch, hidden in Bridget's hair, provide her with advice and even sing a duet with her to impress the King. During their date, Bridget experiences true happiness, realizing it's not from eating Trolls but from genuine connection. After the date, Bridget helps Poppy and Branch locate the cage where their friends are held. However, their plan to free the Trolls goes awry when Creek, seemingly out of fear, betrays them to Chef. Chef captures Poppy, Branch, and the rest of the Trolls, placing them all into a single, larger cage.

Imprisoned and facing imminent consumption, the Trolls lose hope. Even Poppy, for the first time, loses her vibrant colors, turning grey and despondent. This moment of despair is critical; it forces Poppy to confront the limits of her relentless optimism. Seeing Poppy's spirit broken, Branch, whose grey color has been a mystery, finally reveals his past. He confesses that he lost his colors and his ability to sing after his grandmother sacrificed herself to save him from a Bergen attack when he was a child, startling him with a loud song. He had blamed his singing for her death and had lived in fear ever since. Inspired by Poppy's unwavering spirit despite her current despair, Branch begins to sing "True Colors," a heartfelt ballad that slowly brings back his own vibrant hues and, in turn, restores the colors and hope of the other Trolls, including Poppy.

Their renewed spirit galvanizes them. With Bridget's help, who, despite the betrayal, still believes in the Trolls and the happiness they showed her, they manage to escape the cage. They confront Chef and King Gristle Jr. during the Trollstice feast. Poppy bravely explains to the Bergens that happiness isn't something that can be eaten or acquired externally; it's a feeling that has always been inside them, but they just needed help finding it. She points out that Bridget experienced happiness not by eating a Troll, but by falling in love with Gristle Jr. and doing something kind. The Trolls then sing and dance, demonstrating that happiness can be shared and experienced by everyone, without consuming anyone.

The Bergens, initially confused, slowly begin to understand. King Gristle Jr. realizes that he felt truly happy when he was with Lady Glittersparkles/Bridget. The Bergens begin to feel the music and the joy emanating from the Trolls, and for the first time, they experience happiness without eating Trolls. Chef, enraged by this turn of events, attempts to eat Poppy, but she is thwarted by Branch and the other Trolls. In a comical chase, Chef and Creek, who is revealed to be a truly selfish and cowardly Troll, are launched out of Bergen Town by a catapult, landing in a dangerous grotto where they are seemingly eaten by a monster. The Trolls and Bergens then reconcile, with the Bergens learning to find their own inner happiness through song, dance, and friendship. The film concludes with a grand celebration where Trolls and Bergens live together in harmony, sharing their newfound joy and singing "Can't Stop the Feeling!" The once-grey Branch is now vibrant and full of life, a testament to the power of rediscovered joy and connection, and Poppy is crowned Queen, leading her people into a bright future of shared happiness.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Anna Kendrick as Princess Poppy
• Justin Timberlake as Branch
• Zooey Deschanel as Bridget
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse as King Gristle Jr.
• Christine Baranski as Chef
• Russell Brand as Creek
• Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki
• James Corden as Biggie
• Jeffrey Tambor as King Peppy

Crew:

• Directors: Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrn
• Producers: Gina Shay
• Screenplay: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
• Story: Erica Rivinoja
• Executive Music Producer: Justin Timberlake
• Score Composer: Christophe Beck
• Editor: Nick Fletcher

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: November 4, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
• Running Time: 92 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Can't Stop the Feeling!"). Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Won numerous awards for animation and music from various critics' associations and industry bodies.