On Saturday, I walked the funky rainbow-coloured carpet and attended this year's Family Gala at the London Film Festival. There's no way you can leave the cinema after watching Trolls and not feel animated and happy. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake lead this star-studded DreamWorks Animation with song, dance, and a whole lot of hugging. It may not go down in history or compete with the Disney Pixars of the decade, but it's harmless, hair-raising, bright, good all round fun for all the family.

Nope, this is not a film about cyberbullies. The story goes something like this: Trolls are happy and they are small and are not monsters (contrary to the name). Bergens are unhappy and they are big and are monsters. These Trolls are a lot less scary than the online type. Instead, they're scared of the Bergens. Bergens can 'taste happiness' by eating a Troll, which they do so once a year at Trollstice. (Essentially, The Hunger Games for kids with literal hunger and food, so it should be rated 18 really.) Something dramatic happens - gasp - and it's up to the two main characters Princess Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) to go on journey to save the people  trolls and save the day. A wildly optimistic princess and a skeptical grumpy troll teaming up even though they couldn't be more different. If it sounds familiar, that's 'cause it is. Many times over. But who says you can't add more to the party? The film has been inspired by the classic toys popular in the 1960s, but everything is pretty much original sans the hair and the name which I wouldn't have imagined to be that much of an iconic selling power. Anyway...


The new creation means that the filmmakers have largely had a blank canvas to play with. A cool, colourful world has been invented and it serves for an interesting setting, with impressive felt texture effects demonstrating new visual technology. I'm not too keen on the character designs though. They're a huge improvement from the toys which freak me out to no end, but they lack the quirkiness of the fellow creatures from Frozen and other adorable creations we're used to seeing. Instead, they're cute with their crazy hair-dos and expressions, but overall forgettable and slightly underwhelming. That said, I'm not a child, and this would be a good time to mention that this is actually a film for kids. I'm positive the actual (not big) kids love this kind of thing. The film itself has all the ingredients for a fun family viewing, with morals about loyalty, a story about finding happiness, the importance of friendship etc...all wrapped up in bouncy bouncy screen time and zero subtlety. It's also got the wackiness of the brilliant Adventure Time that is so damn bizarre that it equally appeals to the non-kids, where you just think to yourself: uh, whaaaat? For example, there's a strange talking cloud, and they have watches way cooler than the Apple Watch...HUG WATCHES! An alarm so you can remember to hug every hour. Why has that not been patented yet? In addition, there are pop culture references, quick quips and jokes that are suitable for grown-ups.

Music plays a big part in the film - you've obviously heard JT's Can't Stop The Feeling!, and they have more original tracks, but they've also got a whole bunch of memorable songs from the 70s and 80s that are clearly there for the adults. Cheese-ified versions of September, Total Eclipse of the Heart, and Hello are loosely tied into the plot and can't help but make you smile. Or cringe. You'll be one or the other, and I was very much the former. In a Q&A at the premiere, the producers also revealed that as soon as the film was in production, they bought the rights for True Colours, and this becomes a pivotal point for our colourful friends. Trolls just wanna have fun, and they do so through partying and singing at the top of their little lungs - and that means you're in for a very musical ride, with J-Timberlake also serving as Executive Music Producer.


The film brings some great characters and voices together. Kendrick and Timberlake were the casting directors' first choices, and rightly so. You can't get a bright and cheerful voice more bright and cheerful than Anna Kendrick, with a Pitch Perfect singing CV too. Justin Timberlake's more sarcastic, grumpy, cynical voice is a reliable choice, even if you have to wait a bit for any singing. Their audio chemistry is strong, but other types of chemistry (you'll see) are more of a stretch. You'll also recognise James Corden and Russell Brand as fun and kooky trolls, plus Zooey Deschanel as the most likeable and relatable character, Bridget. At some points, it's Bridget the scullery maid and Bergen who steals the show. The ensemble is quite a line-up with John Cleese and Gwen Stefani too, as well as Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the form of a funny but clueless Bergen Prince. It's a team game, and each Troll gets the chance to shine - and literally sparkle. Expect plenty of glitter.


All in all, the biggest surprises in Trolls are the moments of sheer randomness. It's also the moments of quieter and more serious realisation that stand out, even if it's delivered with a side portion of cheese. Asides from that, it follows the formula and makes it a musical extravaganza. It doesn't exactly unlock your imagination but it hammers home a pretty clear message, so take your kids and teach them a lesson about true happiness. I challenge you not to smile. You will find your happy place too, even if you've forgotten it several days later.

Trolls is released in UK cinemas on 15th October. 

Watch the trailer, and highlights from the LFF Premiere below.