To say that 2020 has been a rough year is probably a pretty big under-statement. And yes, as we have mentioned here before one of the biggest hit industries globally was the film industry. In particular though the two films that will most likely come out of this the most impacted will be the family film ‘Trolls: World Tour’ and of course Christopher Nolan’s epic ‘Tenet’.
While some films took the easy way out and were postponed to try and avoid the pandemic’s closed cinemas, ‘Tenet’ and ‘Trolls: World Tour’ took different paths. ‘Tenet’ decided to open where it could when it could… a strategy that you would have to suggest failed given its disappointing box office result. Taking a different strategy ‘Trolls: World Tour’ decided to open in cinemas where it could and online in countries where it couldn’t. The result was the film did take a sizable amount at the box office but it feels like it has been ‘opening’ somewhere around the world each week. ‘Trolls: World Tour’ was available online in Thailand earlier this year, but as people didn’t seem to be aware that the film had been released, the film was re-released globally.
To be honest Trolls: World Tour is exactly the kind of film that we need in 2020 – something bright and fluffy that will make you want to sing and smile without having to think too much. Story-wise the film picks up a short while after its surprisingly good predecessor. Queen Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect) still lovingly rules her subjects – leading them not in everyday life but in song and dance as well. Her loyal friend Branch (Justin Timberlake – The Social Network) is still constantly by her side and still hasn’t told her that he is madly in love with her.
Just when it looks like Branch might finally pluck up the courage to tell her all the Trolls’ lives are turned upside down when a letter arrives from Queen Barb of the Hard Rock Trolls (Rachel Bloom – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) extending an invitation to Poppy to visit her. Not only does this surprise Poppy’s Pop Trolls as they had no idea other ‘genres’ of trolls existed but they are soon stunned to learn that Barb’s plans will devastate any trolls that are not hard rock followers. Poppy, Branch and Biggie (James Corden – Into The Woods) then set off to try and right the wrong.
As far as films go ‘Trolls: world Tour’ doesn’t stray too far from what made the original film such a box office surprise.
The plot moves along at a steady but peaceful rate while nearly every scene is laden with well-known musical tracks from past and present so that the film can be enjoyed by both kids and parents alike. Slant Magazine
