--- title: "Trolls Band Together: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/trolls-band-together/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/trolls-band-together" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Trolls Band Together (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 11 reviews: 5 positive, 3 mixed, 3 negative. The reviews split roughly down the middle, and the disagreement is about whether a thin story matters when the film around it is this busy. Most critics agree on what works: the animation, which several describe as textured with everyday childhood materials and which shifts style from sequence to sequence; the voice cast; and the soundtrack, with the new NSYNC songs mentioned approvingly even by those who dislike the rest. The reservations cluster around the plot, which the less impressed call perfunctory and padded with musical breaks, and around a hectic pace and relentless cheeriness that leave some reviewers unable to care about the characters. The spread is wide for a family sequel: RogerEbert.com calls it the best of the three Trolls films, while Radio Times calls it the least engaging, and Collider suggests the franchise has run its course. The middle ground treats it as harmless entertainment for young children and slim pickings for anyone older. ## RogerEbert.com — Nell Minow Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2023. The critic calls it the best of the three Trolls films, praising its irresistible charm, sweet tone without excess sugar, terrific voice talent, music, and varied animation styles that enhance the story and sense of adventure. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/trolls-band-together-movie-review-2023) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2023. Festival review. The critic praises the film's embrace of silliness, trippy and creative animation sequences, self-deprecating humor, and fun party-like structure as a step up from the previous sequel. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/trolls-band-together-review-justin-timberlake-nsync-1235764293) ## The New York Times — Brandon Yu Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2023. The review describes it as an entertaining boy band fever dream that reunites 'N Sync, noting strong animation and clever, funny moments despite frenetic pacing and visual stimuli. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/movies/trolls-band-together-review.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2023. The critic finds the third Trolls film loopier than before, with a plot serving mainly as an excuse for boyband gags and glittery oddness. They single out the surreal wedding scene with helium-balloon dress and roller skates as a highlight of its candyfloss-coloured weirdness. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/18/trolls-band-together-review-anna-kendrick-justin-timberlake) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/3/2. 19 October 2023. The critic views the film as a standard-issue sequel that pads a thin storyline with garish animated interludes and musical breaks, making it hard to invest in the characters or plot. It serves as a bright-eyed time-passer for young children but offers slim pickings in laughs, emotion or memorable images for anyone older. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/trolls-band-together-nsync-fandom-rise-up) ## The Telegraph Rating 3/5. 19 October 2023. The review notes that while the plot trudges, the animation remains inventive and textured with everyday childhood materials. It positions the film as middle-of-the-road compared to more ambitious 2023 animation releases. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2023/10/19/trolls-band-together-review/) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 19 October 2023. The critic finds the film annoying and one-note due to its relentless cheeriness and stale, safe approach despite some fun gags and great voice performances. They single out the gorgeously textured animation and design experimentation for praise amid the overall weightless and predictable plot. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/trolls-band-together/) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 2/5. The multicoloured musical maestros return for this third – and sadly least engaging – film in the franchise. The script has some amusing lines and musical numbers entertain, but the glitter-covered narrative is all sparkle and no substance. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-zllay2/trolls-band-together/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck 14 November 2023. The critic finds the third installment an unnecessary threequel overloaded with groan-worthy boy-band puns and one-liners. The pop soundtrack and vibrant animation receive some acknowledgment, but the perfunctory story and high-pitched musical numbers fail to recapture the charm of the first film. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/trolls-band-together-review-justin-timberlake-1235646941/) ## Deadline — Damon Wise Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2023. The critic finds the film a cute psychedelic pop satire that successfully explores boy-band nostalgia through its story and soundtrack. They single out the film's anarchic playfulness and robust ensemble cast as its winning formula. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2023/11/trolls-band-together-review-justin-timberlake-sends-up-his-boy-band-past-anna-kendrick-nsync-1235616850/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating C. 6 November 2023. The review concludes that the animated franchise has run its course, feeling like a retread of previous entries with less humor and quality. It singles out the unique animation styles and the charming 90s boy band medley for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/trolls-band-together-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Emily Breen Rating 2/5. 20 October 2023. The critic finds the film merely fine and inoffensive family fare, with a flimsy story and hectic tone that makes it hard to care about the characters. They single out the new NSYNC songs for mild praise while criticizing the unappealing villains and lackluster execution overall. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/trolls-band-together-review/) ## Paste — Amy Amatangelo Rating 6.0. 16 November 2023. The critic finds the self-effacing boy band nonsense fun enough, providing enjoyable moments for repeat viewers. The soundtrack, especially the new NSYNC song, and the playful references to boy band tropes are highlighted positively. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/justin-timberlake/trolls-band-together-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/trolls-band-together.md