Love animation, always have and always will do. Not just because of giving me pleasure and comfort but also it has been a significant part of my life. Disney, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Hanna Barbera, Tex Avery, Studio Ghibli, Pixar, Soyuzmultfilm and the list goes on and on.
Found myself surprisingly enjoying 2016's 'Trolls'. Not a masterpiece and far from DreamWorks' best ('The Prince of Egypt' and 'How to Train Your Dragon'), but there was a lot to like and it was so much better than its poor advertising/marketing indicated it would be. Its Christmas special the following year 'Trolls Holiday' is not as good but is close, it is not going to be for all tastebuds and there are better DreamWorks festive specials around. The strengths of the film still remain although the flaws are bigger and there are more.
There isn't really anything new as such conceptually and not a lot done in bringing freshness to it, not to mention that the story is very thin. Do agree that the pace could have slowed down in spots, some of the special is on the too hyper-active side, and that things could have quietened down in some places. Loved the energy, but there were instances where 'Trolls Holiday' did feel too noisy.
Can understand the reservations of it being too sugary and anyone expecting a little tension may want to look elsewhere because the conflict did feel bland here.
On the other hand, the animation in 'Trolls Holiday' is great and true in style to the film. There is so much imaginative detail, the characters are well modelled, the backgrounds meticulous and best of all the colours are gorgeously vibrant and leap out at you from the screen. The soundtrack is again like a musical extravaganza, and an upbeat and infectious one that has a huge presence without being overkill. The final number especially. The script is enough fun and wit to counter-balance the cuteness and sugar.
Again, the energy is exuberant, and personally just couldn't fail to be captivated by the energy, feel-good nature and charm, even if narratively it's not that strong the atmosphere certainly was. The characters were pretty adorable, none of them were annoying and none on the wrong side of sickly sweet. The voice acting all round is fine, never disturbing or too cute, and the singing showing the vocalists attacking the music with gusto and love of music. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake suit their characters perfectly.
Summarising, nice and colourful but didn't have me jumping out of my chair. 6.5/10 Bethany Cox
