Review: A VOD Release Under Quarantine Conditions, ‘Trolls World Tour’ a Perfect Escape

“Trolls World Tour” is perfect for what it ended up being—a VOD release. The color-coated, sugary-sweet family film was supposed to hit theaters in early April. But with the Coronavirus outbreak temporarily shuddering theaters, plans changed. In a move that could potentially set some sort of precedent for future movies, “Trolls World Tour” opted out of its theatrical run and found its natural home in audiences’ living rooms. 

The film is a follow up to the 2016 hit “Trolls.” The sequel sees Queen Poppy happily ruling over her tribe of trolls, with her best friend Branch at her side. But the trolls’ idyllic paradise might be shaken up when Poppy and Branch discover they are just one of six tribes of trolls and Queen Barb of the Rock Trolls announces her intention to rule over all tribes. Branch and Poppy set off to convince Barb otherwise, while learning about the music of each individual tribe along the way.

Just as with its predecessor, ”Trolls World Tour” boasts a stellar voice cast. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake are just as charming as ever in their roles as the cheerful and hug-loving Queen Poppy and the careful and cynical Branch. Somehow, even though they don’t physically share any scenes, they manage to have palpable chemistry. The cast is far too dense to call out more individuals, but Rachel Bloom is far and away the standout of this cast. Her television show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was equal parts goofy, fantastical and musical. It was the perfect prelude to “Trolls World Tour.” 

With such a diverse cast, the film expands its repertoire of music. “Trolls” really just covered pop music across the decades. The tribes of “Trolls World Tour” individually center around pop, rock, techno, funk, country and classical music. That means audiences get a taste of songs from each genre. But of course, it wouldn’t be a “Trolls” movie without a handful of original songs from Justin Timberlake— not that we’re complaining about that, of course. But although he clocks in more original songs than the first film, none live up to the earworm status that “Can’t Stop the Feeling” quickly earned. 

It has many positive elements, the story drags a bit and definitely does not capture the same magic that the first one did. If this movie debuted in theaters under normal circumstances, it’d probably be considered a mediocre follow-up to “Trolls.” But given where the world was at the point of its release, “Trolls World Tour” is the perfect escape.