Here’s the latest entry from the crossroads of faith and media:

Some Ugly Dolls are poised to take on The Avengers in theaters next Friday (May 3). STX’s new animated musical is being describe as the ultimate underdog (or underdoll) story. The film, which questions society’s ideas about what perfection really is, stars Kelly Clarkson (American Idol, The Star), Nick Jonas (Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Janelle Monáe (Rio 2, Hidden Figures), Blake Shelton (Pitch Perfect 2, The Angry Birds Movie), and rap-artist Pitbull. The PG-rated is inspired by a Hasbro toy line.  Based on the trailer, it could be a refreshing box office surprise.

Synopsis:

In the adorably different town of Uglyville, weird is celebrated, strange is special and beauty is embraced as more than simply meets the eye. Here, the free-spirited Moxy and her UglyDoll friends live every day in a whirlwind of bliss, letting their freak flags fly in a celebration of life and its endless possibilities. The endearingly unique residents of Uglyville occasionally look to the sky above the town, where a new UglyDoll will appear and be embraced by the community.

Moxy (Kelly Clarkson) loves her square-peg life in this round-hole town, but 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. 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.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11