Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres bringing joy and fun from directors Walt Dohrn, Tim Heitz, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures is the return of the gang that knows a lot about loyalty with TROLLS BAND TOGETHER.

Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are helping friends King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) get their walk down the aisle. During the ceremony, they are interrupted by John Dory (Eric Andre) who tells Branch that his brother Floyd (Troye Sivan) has been kidnapped.

Poppy is a little confused because she didn’t even know Branch had brothers. As the story unfolds, she realizes that her boyfriend Branch was once a member of the boy band BroZone along with Clay (Kid Cudi) and Spruce/Bruce (Daveed Diggs). As the wedding wraps up and the couple head out on their honeymoon, John Dory tells Branch that Floyd has been kidnapped by rock stars Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells)

Well, there is only one thing to do in Poppy’s mind, help rescue Floyd because family is family and she always wanted a sister. So, they head out on a trusty steed driven by as Tiny Diamond (Kenan Thompson) who is flexing his tiny independence. The mission begins with finding the other brothers who have all gone their separate ways since their BroZone days.

Poppy also meets Veva (Camilia Cabello) and a group of Trolls that are still terrified of the Bergens as more secrets are revealed. The group needs to come together once again to get the perfect pitch that will shatter the diamond that Velvet and Veneer has encased Floyd in. The journey is more than they could have ever expected!

Kendrick as Poppy is once again full of fun, optimism and love for Branch. Trying to help Bridget have her special day, she learns more about Branch and is excited in her usual Poppy way. She wants to help get the boys together once again, even if only to remember what being a brother is all about. Nothing wrong with an adventure, hair braiding, singing and scrapbooking to make life more colorful. Kendrick’s singing is always on point and so good.

Timberlake as Branch has mellowed a bit and it is clearly due to Poppy. The return of John Dory feeds back into his grump side because of unresolved abandonment issues which happens when brothers go their separate ways. Yet, on the road, he does have moments where he mellows because Floyd is the brother he was closest to in their BroZone days. Timberlake is and will always be Branch, and to be honest we have actually used Branch’s’ lines in this family’s daily life. His vocals are, as expected, awesome, fun and had everyone singing along whether they realized it or not.

Andre as John Dory is a bossy brother who doesn’t remember BroZone the way the other brothers do but he does know Floyd has to be rescued! Cabello as Veva is just as colorful, surprisingly happy and a braiding maniac like Poppy. She is an enjoyable character who has to rethink the life she has been living. Cudi as Clay realizes that not a lot has changed with his older brother but still is going to do the right thing.

Mintz-Plasse and Deschanel as King Gristle and new bridge Bridget are just so funny, lovely and deserving of all things love. They also are very loyal to their troll friends and will do anything possible to make sure they are safe and just as happy as they are. Diggs as Spruce/Bruce is living his love island life with a wife and a load of kids but when it comes to his brother, he is all in.

Schumer as Velvet and Rannells as Veneer get the opportunity to play musical villains who are spoiled, selfish and want an easy way to riches, even if it means harming Floyd. These two actors give their vocals sparks of total evilness and just as Rannells’ Veneer makes you think perhaps good is in there, he proves we are Poppy-like.

Thompson as Tiny Diamond is hilarious and basically steals every scene he is in! He may be tiny but he shines brighter than the bottle Floyd is in! Sivan as Floyd is the brother that is being held by Velvet and Veneer. He wants to do what is right and is willing to sacrifice himself to keep everyone safe. Floyd is such a sweet character that we see through a diamond bottle.

Other cast include Zosia Marnet as Crimp, RuPaul as Miss Maxine, Icona Pop as Satin/Chanille, Ron Funches as Cooper, Anderson Paak as Prince D, Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond, David Fynn as Biggie, Kevin Richardson as Mr. Dinkles, Patti Harrison as Brandy, Walt Dohrn as King Peppy/CloudGuy and GloZell as Grandma Rosiepuff.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

On a personal note, my granddaughter has been a Trolls watcher since she was two years old. Singing, dancing, laughing and being excited with her Poppy and Branch dolls is a wonderful memory for this grandma. I wasn’t sure she would want to see TROLLS BAND TOGETHER because she is now 8-years-old and into other things. I think she initially went just because we like spending time together but from the moment the film started to the very end, we laughed, sang and had such a good time together that she officially said, “Naynay, I LOVE this movie!” and I hope other families get to experience that joy this film can bring.

Just when you think there couldn’t be any storyline left for our favorite trolls, TROLLS BAND TOGETHER comes along and kicks that idea out the door. This film is absolutely stunning in color, keeps our characters just the way we love them, filled with music that everyone can relate to and an adventure that brings, literally, a boy band back together – even if for a moment.

This is exactly the film that needs to be on the screen bringing families together for popcorn, fun, singing, laughing and just a plain ole good time to be had for all. Poppy and Branch hold the characters together like they are the new Mom and Dad for both the trolls and the Bergens. The holiday season means more time for family and TROLLS BAND TOGETHER is a great reason for us all to band together!

In the end – there are some new trolls on the block!

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