shoplesesne.com – DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour (2020) takes audiences on a colorful and musical journey filled with vibrant visuals, catchy tunes, and a powerful message of unity, diversity, and embracing differences. Directed by Walt Dohrn, the film is a sequel to the 2016 hit Trolls, expanding on the colorful and joyful world of the trolls while introducing new characters, new music genres, and a broader narrative that resonates with themes of inclusion, harmony, and the beauty of diversity.
Released in an unprecedented way—primarily through video on demand due to the global COVID-19 pandemic—Trolls World Tour gained significant attention for its bright, energetic presentation and its celebration of music as a universal language. With its infectious music, lovable characters, and powerful themes, Trolls World Tour continues the franchise’s legacy as an uplifting, family-friendly movie that blends entertainment with important life lessons.
Plot Overview: Discovering the World of Trolls
The story of Trolls World Tour begins with the discovery that the world of the trolls is much bigger than previously imagined. Queen Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) and Branch (voiced by Justin Timberlake) learn that there are six different troll tribes, each representing a unique genre of music: Pop, Funk, Country, Classical, Techno, and Rock. Each tribe is represented by a magical string that embodies their musical style, and these strings are the foundation of their culture and identity.
Poppy, who is still new to her role as queen, is eager to learn about these other tribes and unite them through friendship and shared love of music. However, her peaceful intentions are soon challenged when she learns about Queen Barb (voiced by Rachel Bloom), the fierce leader of the Rock trolls, who has a very different vision for the future. Barb wants to gather all six magical strings and unite the trolls—not in harmony, but by forcing all trolls to conform to the Rock genre, eliminating the diversity of music in the world.
Determined to stop Barb’s plan, Poppy, along with Branch and their friends Biggie (voiced by James Corden), Cooper (voiced by Ron Funches), and others, sets out on an adventure to visit the other troll tribes and warn them of Barb’s intentions. Along the way, they encounter different musical cultures, from the soulful Funk trolls to the laid-back Country trolls, and learn valuable lessons about the importance of accepting differences and finding common ground.
As Poppy and her friends travel from one tribe to the next, they experience a variety of musical styles, each with its own unique flair, challenges, and beauty. The film’s message becomes clear: instead of trying to make everyone the same, true harmony comes from celebrating and embracing what makes each culture unique.
Themes of Unity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At the heart of Trolls World Tour is its message about the importance of unity through diversity. While the first Trolls film focused on the joyful world of pop music, Trolls World Tour expands the universe by introducing different genres and exploring how each contributes to the rich tapestry of troll culture. The film emphasizes that no single genre—or in a broader sense, no single way of life—is superior to another. Instead, it’s the differences that make the world more beautiful and interesting.
The movie’s antagonist, Queen Barb, represents a more authoritarian view, believing that by uniting the trolls under one musical genre (rock), she can create a stronger, more unified world. However, Barb’s vision is rooted in conformity, and she doesn’t realize that eliminating diversity will strip the trolls of what makes them special. Her desire to homogenize the world is ultimately portrayed as misguided, and the film underscores that trying to force everyone into the same mold erases individuality and creativity.
Poppy’s journey, in contrast, teaches her—and the audience—that true leadership and unity come from listening, understanding, and appreciating differences. Poppy begins the film believing that she can bring the trolls together by simply spreading her positive, upbeat pop music to the other tribes. However, as she encounters the Funk, Country, Classical, Techno, and Rock trolls, she realizes that each group has its own identity and its own way of expressing itself. Poppy’s growth as a character is marked by her realization that her role as queen is not to impose her own beliefs on others but to celebrate the variety of experiences and perspectives that make the world richer.
This theme of inclusion and diversity extends beyond music to a broader social message. The film subtly touches on issues such as cultural appropriation, the dangers of homogenization, and the importance of self-expression. Each musical genre represents a different facet of the human experience, and by the end of the film, the trolls learn that harmony doesn’t come from making everyone the same—it comes from respecting and valuing the differences that make each culture unique.
The Vibrant and Colorful World of Trolls
One of the most striking aspects of Trolls World Tour is its visual style. DreamWorks Animation has crafted a vibrant, colorful world that feels alive with energy and creativity. Each troll tribe is visually distinct, reflecting the musical genre they represent. The Pop trolls, for example, live in a world full of bright, neon colors and glitter, while the Rock trolls inhabit a more gothic, darker landscape with a punk-rock edge. The Funk trolls’ world is a groovy, soulful paradise filled with disco lights and funky beats, while the Classical trolls live in a more refined, elegant environment with marble columns and soft lighting.
The film’s animation is dynamic and fast-paced, with sequences that often feel like music videos. The use of color, texture, and movement helps bring the musical world to life, making each scene feel like a celebration of both music and visual art. The film’s musical numbers are especially notable for their creativity, blending different animation styles and techniques to match the tone of the song being performed. This attention to detail ensures that every moment feels fresh and exciting, drawing viewers into the film’s playful and imaginative world.
Music as a Universal Language
As with the first Trolls film, music plays a central role in Trolls World Tour. The film features a wide variety of musical genres, from pop to rock, funk, country, and classical, each represented by its own troll tribe. The soundtrack is a mix of original songs and covers of popular hits, performed by the film’s talented voice cast, including Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom, Kelly Clarkson, and more.
Each musical genre is treated with respect, and the film does an excellent job of showcasing the unique characteristics of each style. For example, the Funk trolls are voiced by musical legends such as George Clinton and Mary J. Blige, and their world is filled with groovy rhythms, soulful harmonies, and dance-worthy beats. The Country trolls, on the other hand, bring a more laid-back, acoustic sound to the film, with Kelly Clarkson’s character Delta Dawn performing a heartfelt country ballad.
The use of music in Trolls World Tour goes beyond mere entertainment; it serves as a vehicle for the film’s themes of diversity and unity. Each genre represents a different way of viewing the world, and the film encourages audiences to appreciate the beauty in all types of music. The characters learn that no single genre is superior to another and that the richness of the world comes from the variety of voices and sounds that make up the musical landscape.
The film’s final message about music as a universal language is particularly powerful. Throughout their journey, the trolls discover that despite their differences, music is something that connects them all. Whether it’s the powerful chords of a rock anthem or the soothing melody of a classical symphony, music has the power to bring people together and transcend cultural barriers.
Character Development and New Faces
Poppy, the optimistic and energetic queen of the Pop trolls, remains the heart of the film, and her character arc is central to the story. In Trolls World Tour, Poppy is faced with the challenge of being a leader and learning what it truly means to unite her people. While she starts the film believing that her upbeat, positive approach is the solution to every problem, she quickly realizes that leadership requires listening and understanding the needs and perspectives of others. This growth in her character is a significant part of the film’s emotional depth, as Poppy learns that true harmony comes from embracing differences, not erasing them.
Branch, Poppy’s best friend and potential love interest, also plays a key role in the film. Branch is more cautious and pragmatic than Poppy, often serving as her voice of reason. Throughout the movie, Branch grapples with his feelings for Poppy, and while the film doesn’t dive too deeply into the romance aspect, it teases their growing bond. Branch’s loyalty to Poppy and his willingness to support her, even when he disagrees with her methods, underscores the importance of friendship and trust.
The film introduces several new characters, including Queen Barb, the headstrong leader of the Rock trolls. Barb is a dynamic and charismatic antagonist, with a rebellious punk-rock attitude that makes her a standout character. Her motivation to unite the trolls under one musical genre comes from a desire to assert dominance, but as the film progresses, Barb’s character is shown to have more depth than just a simple villain. She represents the idea of misunderstanding and fear of differences, and by the film’s end, Barb too learns the value of diversity.
Other new characters include the Funk trolls, led by King Quincy and Queen Essence (voiced by George Clinton and Mary J. Blige), the Country troll leader Delta Dawn (voiced by Kelly Clarkson), and the Techno troll leader King Trollex (voiced by Anthony Ramos). These characters add new layers of diversity to the film, each representing their respective musical genres and bringing their own unique personalities and perspectives to the story.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Music and Diversity
Trolls World Tour (2020) is a delightful and energetic sequel that expands the world of the trolls in exciting and meaningful ways. With its vibrant animation, catchy soundtrack, and powerful message of unity through diversity, the film is a fun and uplifting experience for audiences of all ages. The movie’s exploration of different musical genres and cultures adds depth to its narrative, reminding viewers that the world is richer and more beautiful when we celebrate our differences rather than trying to make everyone the same.
At its core, Trolls World Tour is a film about inclusion, acceptance, and the power of music to bring people together. Its colorful and dynamic presentation, combined with heartfelt performances and a universal message, makes it a memorable and enjoyable addition to the Trolls franchise. Whether you’re a fan of pop, rock, country, funk, or classical music, there’s something in Trolls World Tour for everyone, and its themes of harmony and diversity resonate long after the final song is played.