I Can't Believe They Made A "Trolls" Movie

Trolls (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski,

Directed by Walt Dohrn & Mike Mitchell

The Story:

The trolls are the happiest little critters that live in the woods. The Bergens are the most miserable. When they discover that they can become happy by eating trolls, well, you can pretty much guess that the trolls are going to have to work really hard to have a happy ending to this film!

I never saw a preview for this film. No trailers. No anything.

I heard it was coming, and I thought, really? Trolls? Those little ugly dolls from when I was growing up?

Really?

How is Dreamworks going to make this into a film?

And this is Dreamworks, and aside from Shrek, they make some pretty fun movies, but it will likely tank at the box office.

But hey, that Justin Timberlake song is pretty catchy, so what the heck, I'll rent it for the kids.

So I did.

Then I watched it.

Oh my goodness.

No matter what I was expecting, which admittedly wasn't much, I was blown away with how much fun and enjoyment I had watching this one.

It was cute. It was silly. It was fun.

It was a musical!

And in a good way, where the songs enhance the story, not become the story.

A mix of new songs and some classics mixed in for fun, it's easy to be swept up by the proceedings and you'll be as happy as Poppy (Kendrick) as the movie rolls along. Accompanied on her journey is Branch (Timberlake) the one troll in the kingdom who doesn't share the affinity of optimism and happiness that all the other trolls embody.

Yep, you get sucked in to this fun little world, and if you're not careful, you'll get sucker-punched by an emotional wallop late in the film.

I know I did.

When "True Colors" is sung, the reaction is heartfelt and genuine.

I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about it.

So, once again, well done Dreamworks.

I enjoyed this one so much, I bought it.

"For the kids".

:)

Following Storks, this looks to be a really fun year for animated films, with 2 very different, very unexpected films vying for Best of the Year honors.

 Final Grade:  B+

How To "Get A Job" In The 21st Century

Get a Job (2016)

Rated R

Starring Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Alison Brie, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jorge Garcia, Nicholas Braun,

Directed by Dylan Kidd

The Story:

Will (Teller), Jillian (Kendrick) and their friends are done with college and ready to set forth into their careers and life. Except they are all about to learn that life is never easy and whatever you thought you had planned, hopefully you wrote it down in pencil or dry erase marker.

This is an odd duck of a movie.

Apparently it was trapped in limbo for several years before it was finally released, seemingly direct to DVD.

Which is a shame, as the movie has a wonderful ensemble cast and it tackles the tough job of finding employment and balancing a life, whether it's straight out of college, or in the case of Will's father (Cranston) when he is suddenly let go and has to start over again.

The stories are a little disjointed, and could have used a tighter narrative to join them all together, but at the end of the day you have a cast of really likeable characters that are faced with the prospect of growing and learning or running and hiding.

The cast is essentially what makes this movie, and every character, from the leads to the supporting characters make the most of their personalities and screen time and will win you over as the movie rolls along.

You'll be proud of the choices they make, and while there may be "all happily ever aftered with a big bow on the end", it's just the sort of ending you would want them, or yourself, to have.

Can't beat that.

Final Grade:  C+

Looking For An Over-The-Top Comic Book Movie? "Kick-Ass 2"

Kick-Ass 2
Rated R for Language and Violence

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, Morris Chestnut

Directed by Jeff Wadlow

The Story:

Inspired by the heroics of Kick-Ass (Taylor-Johnson) other citizens are now donning costumes to make a difference on the streets.  They create a group and invite Kick-Ass to join.  Hit-Girl (Moretz) is being raised by her guardian (Chestnut) and is finding a hard time adjusting to life as a vigilante being watched by an overprotective cop.  Meanwhile, The Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse) is plotting his revenge with a new name and a band of thugs all his own.  Soon all the stories will overlap, and things will hit the fan!

The adaptation of the Graphic Novel by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. continues!

The first Kick-Ass film was okay.

Over-the-top violence with some funny dialogue and characterization sprinkled throughout.

If you liked the first one, you'll like the sequel.

I Did It For The Money!

Jim Carrey is amazingly subdued as Colonel Stars and Stripes.

I'm not sure what his beef with the movie was, he knew how violent the first one was, and I'm sure he read the script for this one...

So it just struck me as odd when he refused to promote the film.

Ah well, but to each their own.

The Star Of The Show

Moretz is the real star of the franchise thus far and she should have a bright career in Hollywood as she's got the charisma to keep the audience glued to the screen when she's on.

Final Grade: B-/C+ range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Sorry, I'll stick with the Marvel movies, I can enjoy those with my kids.