Animated characters Poppy, voiced by Anna Kendrick. and Branch, voiced by Justin Timberlake, appear in the movie "Trolls." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/DreamWorks)

By Catholic News Service

Loopy but charming animated comedy in which two Trolls — one (voice of Anna Kendrick) an irrepressibly sunny optimist, the other (voice of Justin Timberlake) a perpetual worrier — set out to rescue a group of their friends (voiced by, among others, James Corden and Gwen Stefani) who have been kidnapped by an evil chef (voice of Christine Baranski) from a race of Troll-eating giants called Bergens. The outcome of the duo’s quest turns on the secret, seemingly hopeless love harbored by the cook’s sensitive — and much put-upon — scullery maid (voice of Zooey Deschanel) for the young king (voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) of the Bergens.

Though it originates with a product line of plastic dolls, directors Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn’s infectiously fun 3-D fable feels more like a party than a commercial. As the titular creatures sing, dance and group-hug their way through the story, screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger promote loyalty and teamwork as well as the transformative power of romance. Only the looming threat of one set of characters consuming another, along with touches of slightly naughty humor, indicate that this is not a good choice for the smallest moviegoers.

A flash of rear nudity, brief scatological humor and wordplay, a few very mild oaths. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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