Trolls Band Together is the third installment in the animated Trolls franchise, continuing the adventures of Poppy and Branch as they navigate their relationship and embark on a mission to reunite Branch's estranged boyband brothers. The film is a jukebox musical comedy featuring vibrant animation and a plot centered on themes of family, harmony, and reconciliation. Targeted at a family audience, the movie includes a quest to rescue Branch's brother Floyd from a villainous pop duo. Overall, the film aims to entertain young viewers with its colorful visuals and musical numbers, while incorporating various elements that parents may wish to consider regarding content appropriateness.
The film features overt LGBTQ+ symbolism and representation. Rainbow flags, visually akin to modern pride flags, are prominently displayed during a wedding scene. The wedding officiant, Miss Maxine, is voiced by openly gay drag performer RuPaul Charles, who also delivers suggestive dialogue. Additionally, characters like Floyd and Veneer are coded as gay by fans based on their voice actors and visual cues, though not canonically confirmed by DreamWorks.
During the Bergen Town wedding, rainbow flags resembling LGBTQ+ pride banners are clearly visible along the streets. Miss Maxine, the officiant, is voiced by drag performer RuPaul Charles and jokes about having "thousands of lovers," including during a semester abroad. Characters Floyd and Veneer, voiced by openly gay actors Troye Sivan and Andrew Rannells, are often perceived by fans as coded to be gay due to their presentation and voice actors, though no official confirmation exists from DreamWorks.
The movie contains mild animated violence and peril, primarily revolving around the antagonists' plot to drain a character's talent, which causes physical deterioration. There are chase sequences and verbal references to past dangers, but no graphic depictions of gore or severe injury.
Branch's brother, Floyd, is slowly having his musical 'essence' drained by the villains, Velvet and Veneer, causing him to become 'washed out and sick-looking' and appear close to death before being revived. There are chase scenes where characters are in peril, though these are handled comically. Verbal references are made to trolls being eaten and subjected to torture in the past, stemming from the historical conflict between Trolls and Bergens.
The film includes romantic interactions between main characters and several instances of suggestive humor and innuendo. While generally mild and played for laughs, some dialogue and visual gags lean into adult topics, potentially prompting questions from younger viewers.
Poppy and Branch share their first kiss as a couple. Newlyweds King Gristle and Bridget engage in passionate kissing and suggestive dialogue, such as Bridget remarking, 'I didn't think we'd both get tied up this honeymoon.' Another suggestive running joke involves questioning how Spruce/Bruce and his much taller, different-species wife 'make it work.' One of Branch's brothers flashes his bare, oiled chest on stage, causing some female audience members to swoon and pass out.
The movie features a moderate amount of mild profanity and exclamations, including misuses of God's name and euphemisms for stronger words. Some language is bleeped or implied, but the context is clear, and it appears frequently enough to be noteworthy.
There are at least three misuses of God's name, such as 'oh my God,' and four instances of 'oh my gosh,' with the abbreviation 'OMG' also appearing onscreen. A line from Lizzo's song 'Good as H—' (implying 'hell') is heard. An audibly bleeped four-letter profanity is 'spelled out' onscreen with symbols in a thought bubble. The film also contains several uses of the word 'sucks' or its variations, and two references to 'H-E-double hockey sticks' (a euphemism for hell).
The film incorporates elements of fictional magic and a mystical character. The villains use a 'magical device' to steal talent, and a specific sequence involves a 'mystical genie' character with a 'third eye,' which may be perceived as occult-like symbolism.
The antagonists, Velvet and Veneer, utilize a 'magical device' to extract musical talent from Floyd, which is central to their villainous scheme. When characters activate a 'hustle' button in their vehicle, they are transported in a 'trippy sequence' by a character referred to as the 'hustleman,' who is described as a 'mystical genie' and notably has a 'third eye in his forehead.'
While an animated family film, 'Trolls Band Together' contains some scenes that could be frightening or intense for very young viewers. These include visual deterioration of a character, peril during chase scenes, and certain visual effects.
Floyd's talent being drained leads to him looking increasingly 'washed out and sick-looking,' culminating in a near-death experience that could be unsettling. The film features chase scenes with moments of peril, where characters are in dangerous situations. Additionally, there is a photosensitivity warning for a scene with bright flashing lights towards the end of the film, and visuals of 'scary clowns' are mentioned.
A significant plotline of the movie revolves around familial estrangement and the need for reconciliation within Branch's former boyband, BroZone, implying past disrespect or rebellion leading to their breakup. The film ultimately promotes themes of forgiveness and unity.
The central conflict involves Branch and his brothers' estrangement following the disbandment of their boyband, BroZone, stemming from past disagreements and implied rebellious acts amongst the siblings. The narrative arc focuses on their journey to overcome these past issues and 'band together.' Sarcastic name-calling, such as 'beautiful idiot,' is also present in some dialogue.
Christian review outlets express concern over the film's integration of LGBTQ+ themes, specifically the prominent display of rainbow flags interpreted as pride symbols and the character of Miss Maxine, voiced by RuPaul Charles, officiating a wedding while making suggestive comments. These elements are viewed as conflicting with traditional Christian values regarding sexuality and marriage.
The presence of rainbow flags lining the streets of Bergen Town in a manner reminiscent of LGBT pride parades is highlighted by Christian reviewers as a subtle merging of a biblical symbol with themes that do not align with Christian teachings. The character of Miss Maxine, the wedding officiant voiced by drag performer RuPaul Charles, makes a joke about having had 'thousands' of lovers during the wedding ceremony, which is cited as inappropriate content for children by Christian outlets.
Substance use is minimal and incidental in the film, limited to a single brief instance of a character consuming what appears to be an alcoholic beverage in a casual setting.
During a stop at a vacation resort, Poppy is seen drinking what is described as a 'fruity adult beverage,' though there is no emphasis on intoxication or negative consequences.
A general age recommendation of 6+ is suggested due to mild rude humor, suggestive innuendo, and some intense scenes that could be unsettling for very young children. While rated PG, the cumulative effect of certain content, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ themes, suggestive dialogue, and mild peril, warrants caution for younger or sensitive viewers.
The film's bright and colorful animation, coupled with its focus on family unity and musical performances, can be appealing to children. However, parents are advised to be aware of the recurring suggestive humor, implied LGBTQ+ themes, and mild intense moments that may warrant discussion or pre-screening based on their family's values.
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
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