Justin Timberlake, Anderson .Paak Use ‘Trolls World Tour’ Music to Teach Kids These Lessons
Trolls World Tour was the first studio movie to premiere on VOD when movie theaters closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Universal called it a success, and intended theatrical releases like Scoob! and The King of Staten Island followed suit. Now the Dreamworks animated movie sequel is available on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD with bonus features, including interviews with voice actors Justin Timberlake, Anderson .Jaap, Anna Kendrick and more.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet got an early copy of the Trolls World Tour Blu-ray to see what we could learn from the bonus features. The stars discussed how the film’s music can teach young viewers valuable lessons.
Anderson .Paak and Justin Timberlake left ‘Trolls World Tour’ fans singing
Throughout Trolls World Tour, pop music trolls Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) visit worlds of funk, classical, country, rock n’ roll and techno music. Trolls World Tour ends with an original song by .Paak and Timberlake that delivers a message with a fast paced hummable tune.
“Songs like that, they either can take years to make or just minutes,” .Paak said on the Blu-ray. “That was one that just happened in minutes. We played it for Justin when he came back and he was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is the kind of vibe for the ending credits.’”
The lyrics are about the changes an individual person (or troll) can make.
“It reminds you that there’s no moment like now,” Timberlake said.
‘Trolls World Tour’ uses music to help kids deal with emotions
Poppy learns that all the different styles of music she discovered reflect different moods, and there can even be different moods within a single style. This is true of music, and also true of people.
“We create these really powerful memories and a lot of them have to do with music and how it makes you feel and how it can change your mood,” Kendrick said. “There’s a larger message in the movie about listening to different voices and celebrating each other’s differences.”
Trolls World Tour has a lot more music than the first movie, including more covers of classic songs and a few new originals. The music had even more work to do in the sequel.
“Music is called the universal language for a reason,” Timberlake said. “It can make you feel just about anything.”
Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick hope kids learn their characters’ lessons
Trolls World Tour is about accepting all the styles of music, and therefore all the different people and their different tastes. Branch is initially afraid to leave his comfortable world.
“We’re teaching your minds about all these different styles and a celebration of individuality,” Timberlake said. “I like to describe him as adolescent Branch. He’s feeling all these new things and doesn’t know exactly how to put them into words.”
Poppy is eager to explore, but she learns that other trolls aren’t necessarily as eager to let her into their world.
“She’s kind of discovering who she is as a leader,” Kendrick said. “She’s really optimistic about people, really loves everything but also is smart and tough. I think my favorite thing about Poppy was that she’s got a little bit of fire in her. Being able to have those little moments of growl in her vocalization is really fun.”
