An animated adventure in which the free-spirited UglyDolls confront what it means to be different, struggle with a desire to be loved, and ultimately discover who you truly are is what matters most.
Most of us remain easy prey to underdog – or in this case, underdoll – stories. Combined with a generous helping of soundtrack numbers from a solid list of pop music stars and – voila – you have “UglyDolls” in a nutshell.
Powerhouse vocals comprise perhaps the strongest asset of the production, which includes the talents of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton, Pitbull, Gabriel Iglesias, and Wanda Sykes – among several others. Fans of these icons will almost certainly enjoy the original ensemble music.
Our story begins on the island of ugly toys – actually called Uglyville – reminiscent of the island of misfit toys in the perennial Christmas classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Moxy (Kelly Clarkson) enters as the intrepid protagonist in Uglyville, where life is good, but still somehow wanting. Although the ugly dolls dance, sing, and mostly get along famously with each other, Moxy senses a world beyond.
The town’s population periodically greets its new members, consisting of discarded toys that literally pop out of a chute from high above. Uglytown’s mayor, Ox (Blake Shelton) worries about Moxy’s misgivings but mostly shrugs them off in his easy-going fashion.
Eventually, Moxy persuades a small band of ugly dolls to explore the “one-way” portal into Uglytown, where they discover the Institute for Perfection. In this setting, the vast population of uniformly sculpted dolls strive for the highest levels of flawlessness, as one might deem appropriate for real-life Barbie, Ken or American Girl counterparts.
Lou (Nick Jonas) charismatically leads the institute in the endless pursuit of perfection – at least in terms of physical attributes. Under pressure from doll masses, he reluctantly accepts Moxy and her friends into what feels like a series of self-help seminars for aspiring child companions. Lou’s superficial platitudes regarding the nature of success suggest the enthusiasm of a televangelist in full proselytization mode.
Despite the concession to Moxy and her friends, Lou orders three acolytes to infiltrate Uglytown and spy on the inhabitants. Eventually, we learn that Lou harbors a few secrets of his own, all centered around the conflict between outward appearances on the one hand, and deeply held feeling on the other. This ongoing dissonance lies at the core of the narrative. Preconceptions of beauty in a world increasingly obsessed by it certainly constitute timely, if also familiar, thematic elements. While the movie’s plot develops along those lines, most of the action appears designed as an excuse for yet another musical number.
“UglyDolls” offers an accessible and enjoyable treat for youngsters during its brief 87-minute runtime, which ensures that the ebullient song and dance routines do not outstay their welcome. However – for good or ill – unlike films such as “Over the Hedge” or “The Incredibles,” not a lot of the content here will resonate with adults. Take the kids to enjoy them enjoying the ride.
In theaters Friday, May 3rd
