Written by Logan J. Fowler and Justin Matchick
Release Date: November 4th, 2016
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Russell Brand, Gwen Stefani, James Corden, John Cleese, Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor
Director(s): Mike Witchell (Shrek Forever After, Sky High) and Walt Dohrn (Donkey’s Christmas Shrektacular)
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: I had a few trolls when I was a kid. The toy was popular in the 1990’s when I was growing up, but they never became a major part of my childhood collections (I do remember loving my TMNT trolls the most though). Are trolls even that big anymore? Who knows, but it seems that Dreamworks animation is trying to bring the fad back in an animated film. I normally have enjoyed the efforts of the studio, specifically the How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda films, but I am not sure if this will become a franchise. -LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: Aside from the tie-in Justin Timberlake song “Cant Stop The Feeling” from earlier in the summer, I really haven’t heard much about this film. This seems like it’s targeting people who played with the dolls in the 80s who have kids of their own now that they can bring to watch the movie. I’m pretty far outside of that demographic, but it’s possible the trailer could impress me anyway. – JTM
Rate the Trailer: 1 out of 5. Despite boasting a seriously impressive voice cast, there’s nothing about this trailer that impressed me. From the overplayed song by Timberlake to the slapstick comedy within, Trolls looks like it is trying too hard. Meh. -LJF
Rate the Trailer: 2 out of 5. “It’s colorful” is just about the only amount of enthusiasm that I could muster up for this one. Otherwise, almost everything strikes me as Dreamworks just going through the motions and churning out another movie strictly for the merchandise potential. Even Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick sound almost bored in their voice roles, and Timberlake’s song that accompanies the trailer has already run its course and grown tired. I’m not sure I see any positives here even for people who were fans of the dolls way back when. – JTM
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? No Thanks. The only animated film that is getting my money in November is Moana. Trolls will gladly be left in the dust. -LJF
Theater, Rent, Undecided, No Thanks? No Thanks. I’ll be skipping out on this one, and I don’t think I’ll regret doing so at all. – JTM
Trolls arrives in theaters on November 4th, 2016
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