Starring: Kelly Clarkson, Pitbull, Nick Jonas, Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias, Blake Shelton, Janelle Monáe, Emma Roberts, Wang Leehom, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, Lizzo
OUR RATING: ★★★☆☆
Story:
Animated musical comedy adventure directed by Kelly Asbury based on the Uglydoll plush toys. The story is set in the town of Uglyville, where weird is celebrated, strange is special and beauty is embraced as more than simply meets the eye. Here, the free-spirited Moxy (Kelly Clarkson) and her UglyDolls friends live every day in a whirlwind of bliss, letting their freak flags fly in a celebration of life and its endless possibilities, occasionally looking to the sky, where a new UglyDoll will appear and be embraced by the community. Although Moxy loves her life, her curiosity about all things leads her to wonder if there’s something, anything, on the other side of the mountain which nestles Uglyville.
Moxy gathers a group of her closest friends and sets off to find what’s on the other side where they discover another world, Perfection, a town where more conventional dolls are trained in protocols before they graduate and are sent to the real world to find the love of a child. In Perfection, Moxy and her crew are subject to the manipulations of Lou (Nick Jonas), the perfect doll in charge of training recruits. Here, the UglyDolls will confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most.
Best Quotes (Total Quotes: 32)
Ox: Welcome to Uglyville, friend. What’s your name?
Uglyville Citizen #1: Flattop!
Uglyville Citizen #2: Smushhead!
Uglyville Citizen #3: Crew Cut!
Wedgehead: Wedgehead?
Ox: Great! I love literal naming. Isn’t that right, Gibberish Cat?
[Gibberish Cat replies back in gibberish]
Moxy: Every day I think, “Today’s the day.” And then it isn’t. And that’s fine, it is, but… Look, I’ve always believed the Big World is real. I know I’ll find the perfect kid for me. But lately I’m starting to wonder, with no evidence, no proof, what if it’s not true?
Lucky Bat: Mmm.
[he reads from a fortune cookie
Lucky Bat: “Find your own truth. Six, nine, twenty-five, eighteen, thirty-six, forty-one.”
Moxy: Woh. This is why you’re the wisest doll in town. You’re so right. I have to believe in myself.
Lucky Bat: Uh, sure.
[reading her tea leaves]
Moxy: I see leaves. Leaves! I need to leave! All this time I’ve been waiting for my kid to find me, but I should find my kid!
Lucky Bat: Wait, what? That’s not what I was saying at all!
Moxy: Thank you so much, Lucky! You’re so wise. So wise!
Lucky Bat: Well, I’m just lucky…
[grabs hold of Lucky’s hand]
Moxy: Come on!
Lucky Bat: Moxy, I think you may have misinterpreted the spirit of what I was trying to…
[referring to hole where new Ugly Dolls are dropped off]
Ugly Dog: Hmm. We need something that could grip onto the edge nice and tight. Even then, it would still need to hold all our weight. Huh?
[turns around and sees Babo swirling a rope with the others beside him]
Ugly Dog: No, no. No. No!
[we see Ugly Dog, who has a rope tied around his neck, thrown to the hole]
Ugly Dog: Anytime now, guys. Let’s go.
[the others start climbing up the rope]
Moxy: You guys, this pipe goes somewhere.
Wage: Say something to her.
Lucky Bat: Um, sometimes, the insides of our dreams are hollow. Like this pipe, for example.
Moxy: Hollow, huh? I guess a girl can dream. We’ll just go on back like a bunch of go-on-backers.
[she suddenly turns and starts running into the pipe]
Moxy: I just got to see what it’s like!
Babo: I think we probably should have expected her to do that.
Moxy: Guys. What if this is the way to the Big World?
Babo: But Ox says there is no Big World and he…
Moxy: He didn’t know there was something else out there. But we do. This pipe, it’s real, and it has to lead somewhere. Maybe it’s the Big World. If anyone can figure it out, it’s us. Lucky, what could make you wiser than solving the ultimate unsolved mystery? Hello! Mystery ahead! And, Ugly Dog, you’re my best friend.
Wage: Well, that’s just hurtful.
Moxy: Are you really going to let me go in alone?
Ugly Dog: You ain’t going alone.
Wage: Classic guilt trip.
Moxy: And when someone needs help, who y’all going to call? Babo, that’s who!
Babo: I got to say, she gets me.
Lucky Bat: Hmm. I suppose a little journey could be enlightening.
Wage: This is ridiculous! Going into a creepy pipe that spells certain doom? No. No, thank you!
Moxy: Wage.
Wage: Go ahead. Give me your big sell, Moxy. Tell me that I have to go. It’s my duty as a doll to be a friend. Tell me that deep down I want to know what’s over there too. Come on. Give me the pitch.
Moxy: If you don’t come, you’re going to have to climb down that cliff all by yourself.
Wage: Good pitch. Let’s just let the record show that I am against this.
Babo: Now, that’s what I’m talking about, Wage.
[after Moxy and her friends go through the pipe and end up at the Institute of Perfection]
Ugly Dog: Moxy, you were right.
Voice #1: Please enter through the gates and make your way to the individualization scanners.
Voice #2: Welcome to the Institute of Perfection.
Voice #3: Here you will become the best doll you can be.
Voice #4: We will help you grow from pretty to perfect.
Voice #2: But only after you successfully pass the final challenge we call The Gauntlet. Can you proceed to the Big World?
[as the computer scans a doll]
Scanner: Your name is Meghan. You’re a lawyer, slash, model.
Meghan: Objection, Your Honor.
[we see another doll is being scanned]
Scanner: Your name is Michael. You’re an engineer, slash, model.
Michael: I’m an individual. Exactly like the rest of you.
[we see Moxy going through the computer scanner, the buzzer goes off]
Scanner: You are not a model. Data does not compute. I, I… Tell my family I love them.
[the scanner breaks down and falls to the ground, all the other dolls look at Moxy, Wage points at her and all the dolls scream]
Lucky Bat: Ah, must be a customary greeting here.
[he screams at a female doll, who passes out]
[to a female doll]
Ugly Dog: Hola, mi amor.
[speaks in Spanish as he slides up a table and chair and opens a bottle of champagne]
Female Doll: Hard pass.
[the female doll walks off unimpressed]
Ugly Dog: I guess she’s not bilingual, because that was my best line.
Wage: Another swing, another miss.
Nolan: Uh, excuse me, girls. Who’s Lou?
[the spotlight is suddenly turned on him]
Kitty: Who’s Lou? Were you born yesterday?
Nolan: Um, yes.
[to Moxy and her friends]
Lou: I really do feel bad for you, but kids just don’t want ugly. So I’m not sure where you belong, but it’s not here.
Lucky Bat: Come on, Moxy. Let’s go home.
[Babo picks up Luck]
Babo: Do you want me to carry you home too?
[Moxy just looks sad]
Babo: Okay, just let me know.
[Moxy turns to follow her friends]
Lou: Bless their ugly little hearts. Such a shame.
Mandy: It is kind of sad though. Of course, sad in like a totally, totally shameful way. Obviously.
Moxy: You know what, we’re not going anywhere!
Wage: What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? We don’t belong here.
Moxy: We’ve come this far.
Lou: Um, come again?
Moxy: We are going to train and go to the Big World. We’re just as lovable as any of you. And we’re going to prove you wrong!
[pause, then Lou and the other dolls start laughing]
Lucky Bat: [to Moxy] Before we decide to do this, shouldn’t we tell Ox?
Lou: Ox? Who is Ox?
Lucky Bat: Well, he’s the founder and mayor of our town, where we live.
Lou: So there’s a whole town of Uglies?
Moxy: It’s called Uglyville.
Lydia: I guess they’re into literal naming.
Lou: Um, none of this matters. Okay? Only Pretty Dolls can run the Gauntlet. Rules are rules.
Moxy: What rules?
Lou: Uh…
Lou: You know what? Stay here.
Moxy: Seriously?
Lou: Yes. What kind of amazingly benevolent leader would I be if I denied fellow dolls a chance to fulfill their dreams? Mandy, show our special guests their quarters. May I suggest the Supply Suite.
Babo: Sweet!
[as Mandy shows them the way, Lou pulls Moxy to the side]
Lou: I have a reputation to maintain, so I let you skate by this time. Enjoy this moment, because it doesn’t get better than this.
Babo: Ha! That’s the name of our song.
Mandy: So are you really here just to train for the Big World?
Babo: Yep.
Wage: Uh-huh.
Moxy: You bet! And we’re all going to end up with our own special kid to love.
Mandy: You do know that Lou is going to make it super hard, right?
Moxy: Well, I say, “Bring in on, Louis!”
Mandy: He means well, of course. Though he can be a bit judgmental.
Wage: You think?
Mandy: Still, without his constructive criticism, none of us would ever get anywhere. So just stay on his good side.
[as Mandy turns to leave, she bumps into the wall, falls down and her glasses fall on the floor]
Mandy: Ow!
Ugly Dog: Ooh, cool glasses. I always wanted some specs.
[he takes her glasses and they start trying it on]
Mandy: Excuse me!
Moxy: Ooh, yeah! I feel smarter already!
Mandy: No!
Lucky Bat: Do I look wiser?
Babo: Oh, yeah!
Mandy: No! Please, just…
Wage: Uh-huh?
Mandy: Please!
[they see that Mandy is close to tears]
Moxy: We’re sorry.
[Wage gives back Mandy her glasses]
Mandy: Please don’t say anything, guys. Especially not to Lou.
Moxy: Lots of dolls wear glasses in Uglyville. Even Five-Eyed Steve.
Mandy: This is the Institute of Perfection, and Perfect Dolls have perfect eyesight.
[as Mandy turns to leave again, she bumps into the wall again]
Moxy: Ooh!
Wage: Man, and I thought I had issues.
[suddenly comes up behind Mandy, scaring her]
Moxy: Hey, Mandy!
[Mandy screams]
Moxy: Sorry. I think your glasses look special. They make you who you are.
Mandy: Yeah, but…
Moxy: No butts about it!
[she wiggles he butt and they both laugh]
Moxy: See you tomorrow!
Lou: Far be it from me to discourage you.
Moxy: Yeah, no. That’s really hard to do.
Lou: Of course it is. But just between us, no matter how agile or unshakable you may be, when you look up there, at that perfectly pretty doll and all the joy she comes with, do you honestly think your little band of sock puppets stands a chance here?
[Moxy looks back at her exhausted friends, then looks back at Lou]
Lou: Okay. Carry on trying, but like I always say, pretty makes perfect. Good luck at the Gauntlet tomorrow.
Moxy: Maybe Lou is right. If pretty is what he wants, we can do pretty.
Babo: Moxy, what are you talking about?
[as she sees Moxy and the others dressed up]
Mandy: Oh, my doll.
Moxy: We thought we’d give pretty a try.
Mandy: If I’m being honest, I think you all kind of look great just the way you are. Well, before all of this.
Lou: Now, Ox, I’m an amazingly magnanimous guy, so I’ll tell you what. Go back to Uglyville. Live your little ugly lives. Never come back here. And if you do, it’s recycling for everyone.
[Ox and the other turn and start to leave looking dejected]
Lydia: I bet they’ll be back. That little pink one never gives up.
Lou: Yes, well, neither do I.
Moxy: If Lou tried to recycle us, then no one is safe.
Ox: Moxy’s right. I lived my whole life being afraid, but never again. We need to take a stand. All of us!
Uglyville Citizen #1: But how? We’re rejects! I read it in the paper.
Moxy: We are not rejects. Our flaws make us who we are. You know what, we have enough flaws for every doll in Perfection, and then some.
Uglyville Citizen #1: I have three brains!
Sporko: And me, I’m shaped like a spork!
Wedgehead: See this head? It’s a wedge!
Uglyville Citizen #2: And I’m greedy with the soup!
Moxy: Those are all worth fighting for! Well, maybe not being greedy with the soup, but the others! Now, let our freak flags fly!
[referring to Nolan being grabbed by the robotic dog]
Tuesday: Lou, we have to save him!
Lou: Leave him! He’s a lost cause. He’s gone forever.
[Nolan pops his head around the corner]
Nolan: I’m over here! You could grab my hand!
[he gets pulled by the robotic dog]
Lou: There’s nothing we could’ve done.
[after Lou fails the gauntlet challenge]
Lou: Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag.
Lydia: You failed?
Tuesday: How could you fail?
Lou: You still don’t get it. Of course I failed. I’ll always fail! I’m a prototype!
Mandy: What?
Tuesday: Prototype is like a good thing, right?
Lydia: No! He ain’t a real doll, girl.
Lou: You thought that I stuck around this place because I cared so much about you mindless sycophants?
Tuesday: Sycophants is like a good thing, right?
Kitty: Ugh! No, you imbecile!
Tuesday: Is imbecile a good thing?
Babo: My gut says yeah.
Lou: I’m the model! The mold! Sent by the factory to help guide you through. Sounds amazing, right?
Nolan: Uh…
Lou: Wrong! Prototypes are not meant for public consumption. I was never allowed to go to the Big World.
[points at Ox]
Lou: But you could! How could someone as ugly as you be accepted and loved? While someone as perfect as I, never could, and never will? Let’s see how you feel when you’re trapped in this place forever, just like me.
[Ox chases Lou and they start fighting as he tries to stop Lou from destroying the Big World portal]
Ox: It was all a lie? Dolls don’t need you or your training. You did it all just to feel powerful? What happened to you? We were like brothers.
Lou: You, a reject, were going to leave me, just like the others. Ever wonder why the Pretties turned on you?
Ox: It was you! You tried to have me recycled!
Lou: You wanted to leave so bad, I sent you right where you belong.
[Ox slaps Lou across the face]
Lou: Ow.
Ox: Woh!
Lou: The only thing I did wrong was I should have waited to make sure you were recycled.
Peggy: So what happened next? Well, you’re not going to believe it. Or maybe you will. I don’t even know you!
Ox: As your mayor, I’m proud to announce the permanent merger of Uglyville and Perfection.
[everyone cheers]
[as Moxy is about to go through the portal]
Ox: Well, Moxy, you did it. Today’s the day.
Wage: I never doubted you, girl. Not for one minute. Well, okay, maybe one minute. Or like, I don’t know, five to ten. The time here is so funky. I mean, how long did this take us? What is this? A day? A month? What, eighty-three minutes? It’s all very confusing. But look, Moxy, you better come back to visit, you hear me?
Moxy: Of course I’m coming back. You know Uglyville will always be my home.
[she turns to the portal, then turns back to her friends again]
Moxy: You were right the whole time, Lucky Bat.
Lucky Bat: Me?
Moxy: We found our own truth.
[Moxy goes through the portal and we see her being given to a little girl]
Total Quotes: 32
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Trailer: