Review: Ugly Dolls

In the town of Uglyville, lives happy townsfolk in the shape of Ugly Dolls. Upbeat and musical with hopes and dreams that leave them bursting at the seams. Leading the hopeful lot is Moxy (Voiced by Kelly Clarkson), a doll with a dream of finding her own child to play with and love in the “real world”.

Joining her is Ugly Dog (Voiced by singer Pitbull), Wage (voiced by Wanda Sykes), Babo (voiced by Gabriel Iglesias) and the towns leader Ox (voiced by Blake Shelton). Happy in their lives, but not quite totally content, Moxy hatches a plan to enter the magical flower that delivers all of the new Ugly Dolls.

With the help of her friends, she travel through a tunnel to come across the town of Perfection. A pristine place with dolls fighting for the title of perfection and the right to go into the real world. Unfortunately, she runs into some mean dolls and a charismatic leader named Lou (voiced by Nick Jonas). Friendly words leave his lips, but angry actions form at his whim as he puts the Ugly Dolls through paces and tests them into exhaustion.

Ugly vs. perfection seems to be the theme as dolls train for the right to be a child’s new friend . The only friend they find in town, is a perfection resident named Mandy (voice by Janelle Monae). Not quite perfect in others eyes, she chooses to befriend Moxy and company, so all can fulfill their dreams.

This film has a great message and some pretty catchy songs. It doesn’t matter if you’re ugly or perfect comes across clearly to younger audiences. And that, is where this movie resides, with younger audiences. This film is Nick Jr. simple and straightforward. Older folks will probably get bored. Just remember that you aren’t the demographic and you’ll take the film for what it is. A movie about dolls that started as a merchandise push and became an animated story about caring, understanding and self worth, that will probably lead to another merchandising push.

Grade: C
Running Time: 1hr 27m
MPAA Rating: PG