Capsule Reviews: 'Trolls Band Together,' 'Rustin,' 'The Treasure of Foggy Mountain,' 'American Symphony'

by Philip Price

Trolls Band Together

Photo: Universal Pictures

As a massive, irony-free *NSYNC fan I would have loved to have seen the press tour for this sans strike as the film itself feels slight in comparison to the previous two installments. The boy band references and musical medleys are all on point as are the Justin Timberlake-produced originals, but the narrative leaves behind too many key memorable characters to make room for new ones critical to the great idea of a premise that somehow lacks in the quirky execution the first two films had in spades.
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This franchise has always largely been about the colors and the music and while “Trolls: Band Together” still has plenty to offer as it expands this ever-expanding world I do wish it would have made more of an effort to weave together the old and the new with more awareness of balance. Weaving the past into the present is the main idea after all. Still, it’s hard to be mad at a franchise this zany and consistently creative (and funny) as this one continues to be. Plus … freakin’ *NSYNC!

That said, I’m sure this will grow on me and become more endearing upon the inevitable, innumerable repeat viewings my kids will request. If it says anything about how much adult opinion matters to a film like this, my 4-year-old was ready to watch this again immediately as soon as the credits rolled. That this also serves as something of a bridge to listening to and discussing some of my favorite songs/musical styles with my children is just icing on the cake. Seriously though, the soundtrack may get more spins than the movie.

"Trolls Band Together" is currently in theaters. 

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Rustin

Photo: Netflix

How such an important (if not forgotten) figure at the heart of such vital subject matter can somehow yield a mediocre film will always puzzle. The story is already there and in the case of “Rustin,” so is the cast, yet somehow George C. Wolfe (“Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”) has managed to create a flavorless, flat and sometimes outright ugly film that is both disappointing and oddly fascinating. Unfortunately, despite Colman Domingo giving it his all in the titular role, this broad and by-the-numbers biopic about Bayard Rustin is ultimately fascinating for all the wrong reasons.

"Rustin" is streaming on Netflix. 

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Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain

Photo: Peacock

I like these guys even if The Lonely Island are forever my generational brothers. Naturally, ‘The Treasure of Foggy Mountain’ conjures comparisons to “Hot Rod,” but the main difference between these two trios of awkward white guys is that Please Don't Destroy seemingly have no pre-determined roles each is destined to fill.

​In Lonely Island, Akiva Schaffer was the visionary, the filmmaker whose contributions arguably made their productions stand out as much as they did. Andy Samberg was obviously the star whereas Jorma Taccone was kind of the secret weapon in that he was quiet and flew under the radar but could secretly do it all when called upon (the dude directed “MacGruber” AND played Samberg's punching bag as funnily as one can); he was reliable. The point being, thus far, the Please Don't Destroy guys haven't found their roles, their differentiators.

Ben Marshall, Martin Herlihy, and John Higgins feel as interchangeable as those generic white boy names and they know this, they are self-deprecating to the max. That isn't to say they don't have their own style; the editing in their “Saturday Night Live” shorts is impeccable and informs so much of how their jokes and delivery play, but with their first feature it seems they haven't adjusted for sustainability. They should have been aiming more for their own version of “Hot Rod,” but what we got feels like they watched “Without a Paddle” one too many times and all of them decided to play a variation on Seth Green (with John showing hints of Dax Shepard). Ideal? No. Still funny? Just enough.

"The Treasure of Foggy Mountain" is streaming on Peacock. 

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American Symphony

Photo: Netflix

There is a moment about 45 minutes in where director Matthew Heineman intercuts Jon Batiste traveling around and performing with phone calls back home to his wife, Suleika Jaouad, as she deals with her second round of leukemia treatment. Heineman eventually merges the two, placing the audio of these phone calls where Jaouad relays her latest symptoms and sources of pain to her husband with Batiste grasping for every genuine, encouraging phrase he can turn. As we hear these conversations, we see images of Batiste on stage and composing, moments of pure joy. The contrast of these two extremes existing within the same reality for this couple really hits home. Batiste has everything he could have ever dreamed of in terms of finding fulfillment in his musical endeavors yet now, because of this pain and life-threatening illness the person he loves is suffering from, none of it is as meaningful. Not that the music and rush of performing aren't therapeutic or don't carry any value, but more if Suleika is not there for him to talk to once he exits those stages, what is the point of it all? A terrible conundrum, but thankfully - a beautiful story about a beautiful pair of souls. 

​"American Symphony" is streaming on Netflix.