Trolls Band Together continues the music field franchise by poking a little bit of good natured fun at the boy band genre. Rated PG for some mild rude and suggestive humor. In theaters November 17th 2023.
Synopsis: Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boy band ‘BroZone’ with his brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay. When Floyd is kidnapped, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to reunite his two other brothers and rescue Floyd.
Poppy (Anna Kendrick-voice) and Branch (Justin Timberlake-voice) have become one of our favorite animated couples. They have been through a lot together and helped one another overcome both physical and emotional obstacles. This adventure is all about family as both Poppy and Branch come face to face with siblings that stir up a load of feelings; good and bad.
Studios have learned that for animated films to be successful they have to write for adults as well as their target audience. Pop culture references, music choices, even a few well placed jokes will elevate the movie experience for the whole family. This film uses those famous boy bands who dominated the pop charts decades ok as the target for humor and story line.
The premise in this one is easy and straight forward. We find out that Branch was the youngest member of BroZone along with his four older siblings. In a flash back scene we see the demise of the group and how they all want their own way after a heated argument. Now all these years later they must “band” together to rescue their brother Floyd who has been captured by a new, hot, pop duo. Their intent is to use Floyds essence; which will ultimately kill him.
The film is directed by Walt Dohrn who also helmed the previous two Trolls films, so he know the characters and what audiences expect. There is obvious focus on the family dynamic. Branch has no desire to reunite with his brothers. He feels like they abandoned him at a very young age. In fact most of the brothers have no desire to leave the new lives they have. It is only in order to rescue Floyd that drives them forward.
The weakest moments – if they can be called that – is the attempt to include all the other characters we expect to see. With Poppy and Branch leaving their home land on this journey there had to be creative scenarios to include every one else. We get them as much as we need to and though weak story lines they are not a total distraction.
A Trolls film would not be a trolls film without some grand remixes of our favorite songs as well as original music. Like the past movies this one is an ultimate dance party from start to finish. New voices including Camilla Cabello and Troye Sivan add to it. As mentioned this one pokes a lot of fun at boy bands but Justine Timberlake takes the biggest poke. Is Branch’s story a Timberlake bio-pic? No, but at times it sure feels like it.
It moves quickly and the 90-minutes feels like a perfect amount of time. Even with some of the duller moments it never bogs down. TROLLS BAND TOGETHER is certainly a solid part of the Trolls set list and makes for a terrific trilogy. Fans will eat it up.
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