Trolls: World Tour

Four years after the surprise animated hit first hit screens, the sequel Trolls World Tour arrived to a much different landscape. Debuting globally just as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world, the film was simultaneously released on streaming formats to make up for the closures of movie theaters, stunting its box-office prospects and audience reach. As the movie struggled to find footing, the accompanying soundtrack managed to squeak its way up the charts. Expanding the Trolls universe with the addition of new genre lands -- encompassing pop, funk, classical, reggaeton, hip-hop, techno/electronic, country, and rock -- the album follows suit, building upon the first soundtracks pop/dance base with fun surprises from an all-star roster. In addition to the returning cast that includes Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, and James Corden, high-profile musicians such as Ozzy Osbourne, Anderson Paak, George Clinton, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Icona Pop, J Balvin, HAIM, Dierks Bentley, and Gustavo Dudamel join newcomers Rachel Bloom, Sam Rockwell, Kenan Thompson, Flula Borg, and Charlyne Yi. Despite the fresh casting and musical directions, theres a lot going on and the creators tried to stuff too much into this package. However, while Trolls World Tour fails to capture the spirit and novelty of its predecessor, its still a fun romp that should capture fans of the movie. ~ Neil Z. Yeung