"Trolls" & "Doctor Strange" (2016)
This week we see the retro-themed family film, “Trolls,” in head-to-head competition with the newest on-screen member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Doctor Strange.”
First up: DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls” is a vibrant imagining of the popular paintbrush-haired 1970s dolls’ hairstory, oops, history.
Apparently, things have not always been colorful and harmonious for the little psychedelically colored creatures. Twenty-years-plus prior, the Trolls had been captured in their tree inside the land of the Bergens (askew-teethed giants, who periodically ate Trolls as their “only” way to feel happiness). But, King Peppy (voiced by Jeffrey Tambor) made a last-ditch effort to save his baby daughter from certain death, and led all the remaining Trolls to a new colony far away.
For the next 20 years, the trolls sing, dance, and generally make merry with seemingly little regard for the potential ongoing threat of the Bergen. However, King Peppy’s daughter, Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick), soon finds out that the Trolls are still a very-much wanted snack when their 20th anniversary freedom party is rudely interrupted by the Bergen Chef (voiced by Christine Baranski). Chef kidnaps several trolls to satisfy the Bergen’s young King Gristle’s (voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) unmet appetite for a happy Troll. In response to the unexpected attack, the positive Poppy heroically sets off to save her people from enslavement to the appetites of the Bergen and is eventually joined by fellow Troll, and prepared pessimist, Branch (Justin Timberlake), to stop history from repeating itself.
By pure logical calculation, “Trolls,” should not work out. At first glance, it’s silly eye-candy that relies far too much on bum jokes than cleverness. And, yes, the film’s plot is not revolutionary nor particularly emotionally engaging. But, somehow, the little toys from the past work their Troll magic and make this candy-colored musical fun. Snappy singing by Kendrick and unexpectedly winning toe-tapping mash-ups, like that of Junior Senior’s 2003 Danish dance hit of “Move Your Feet” with the Brady Bunch’s 1973 hit “It’s a Sunshine Day,” work and seem to suck in many of the most hard-hearted parents. And, the Trolls’ adventuring, especially the Cinderella-styled makeover of one Bergen, provides some big laughs.
Looking around the theater, smiles were had on almost every child’s face throughout much of the film. Although the film is not much in way of plot and does have its lulls, maybe just the unwrapping of happiness, gorgeous psychedelic color, and music is enough to have a good time with our families. Recommended for families.
Up next: Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” tells the story of American physician, Steven Strange, a world-class neurosurgeon who loses the much of the use of his hands following a near-deadly car accident.
Pre-superhero change, Benedict Cumberbatch inhabits Strange as a narcissist to the fullest degree. Doctor Strange seems to use others as they are useful to him, picking and choosing neuro patients only as they will benefit his reputation. Further, Strange seems particularly callous in his personal life, as well, often dismissing the interest and care that fellow physician, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), repeatedly shows in him both pre- and post- the devastating accident.
When Strange loses his identity, money, and professional status following his multiple attempts to have radical and experimental procedures done to regain the use of his skilled hands, he spends his last few dollars to travel to Nepal on the whim that a final alternative treatment will help him have nerve regeneration. Once there, though, his remaining arrogance is not well received by “The Ancient One” (Tilda Swinton). But, after time, she becomes swayed by his dedication (and desperation) to not leave her ancient arts’ compound’s doorstep. The Ancient One eventually makes it clear to Strange that the world he “knows” is only one of many and (in a very-1960s imbued way) lets him know that existence and consciousness is not just present on our known plane.
Under the training and tutelage of The Ancient One and other masters, like Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Strange becomes a quick-study of ancient powers and learns that one of the Ancient’s former master-level students, baddie Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), is about to tear Earth apart by joining it with the Dark Dimension in order to gain his immortality. Strange finds he has to quickly drop any remaining dredges of narcissism for the battles he will soon face are like nothing the intellectual has ever known.
“Doctor Strange” is, indeed, the oddest, most psychedelic entry in the MCU. It is also Marvel’s most well-acted (as Cumberbatch and acting gravitas are old mates) and most definitely its most mind-bending. The film’s visual effects are best described as part-“The Matrix,” part-“Inception,” and part-M.C. Escher-esque. As the origin story, literally and figuratively, unfolds, the film becomes deeper and more engaging, musing on any number of heady issues (from the meaning of the universe to the meaning of personality change in the rejuvenation of health) while still maintaining its wham-bam visual fun and keeping up its Marvel street cred. In part, too, the film is also a more grown-up “Harry Potter” adventure and, like Harry, Strange, at first, stumbles and, later, excels in the use of his new talents. The film’s final climax, though, cinches its must-see status for Marvel fans in a very unexpected way. Highly recommended.