I’ve been a big fan of the Trolls films ever since I saw the first back in 2017. It seems like that movie took a lot of people by surprise, and it exploded into a huge franchise with short films, holiday specials, and a couple TV series. Trolls Band Together is the third feature film after 2020’s Trolls World Tour, and it may be the best one yet, if you are of my generation or older (though kids will still find plenty to like too).
We learn at the beginning of this film that Branch was once the youngest member of a boy band named Brozone, but the band, made up of 5 brothers, broke up after a disastrous performance, and Branch never saw his brothers again. He is approached by the eldest brother, John Dory, with news that brother Floyd has been kidnapped by a pop music duo named Velvet and Veneer, who have been using Floyd’s troll powers to boost their singing ability to become stars. Branch has to set aside his years of resentment to go out with John Dory and find the other 2 brothers, so they can come together to rescue Floyd. Of course Branch’s girlfriend Poppy is going to go help too, and there’s a surprise for her along the way.
I feel like this film has even more inside jokes for adults than the previous two, and some that are a bit risqué for young kids (the movie comes from Dreamworks, the folks who delivered the Shrek franchise, if that gives you an idea of what to expect). Most of that will be over the heads of little kids though, and nothing is too objectionable in my opinion, though some straight-laced parents may bristle. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, with all of its references to 90s/00s pop culture and the whole boy band phenomenon. And to top it off, with Justin Timberlake continuing to voice Branch (with Anna Kendrick as Poppy), the film brings N Sync back together for the worst-kept-secret reunion that fans have been wanting for decades. ★★★★½
Jons Movie Takes 