Elves World Tour

Elves World Tour (also known as Elves 2) is an 2040 animated Christmas jukebox musical comedy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Bardel Entertainment, and Sergio Pablos Animation Studios and distributed by Netflix. It is the sequel to the spin-off prequel Elves (2033) and the fifth installment overall in The Christmas Movie franchise. Directed by Kyle Balda and written and co-produced by Brandon Greene, the film sees the return of Jason Schwartzman as Darwin and Chris Pratt as Mikey. Also reprising their roles are Kelly Clarkson, Jack McBrayer, Patrick Stump, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Hart, Janelle Monáe, James Corden, Blake Shelton, and J.K. Simmons as Santa Claus, along with new cast members Matthew McConaughey, Rachel Bloom, Tony Hale, Reba McEntire, Donald Glover, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, Sam Rockwell, and Gwen Stefani. The film follows Darwin and Mikey meeting the famous elf singer Elfis as they discover several more elf tribes that represent music genres other than their own. Troubles arise when the Queen of the Rock tribe plans to overthrow the foreign music genres to unite the trolls under rock music which would destroy Christmas.

Elves World Tour is released on Netflix on November 2, 2040. The film received generally positive reviews from critics; some deemed it an improvement over its predecessor, with praise earned for its score, animation, humor, voice performances (particularly McConaughey's), and aesthetic, although its plot was criticized.

Plot
Set just after the 2033 film, this time in the 1980s in the techno kingdom, King Elfmix's tribe of Techno Elves are attending a rave, when Hard Rock Elves from the South Pole led by Queen Joan arrive and use weaponized guitars to destroy everything. Joan demands Elfmix surrender and hand over his "string".

Santa Claus is particularly fond of Elfis, a singin' and swingin' elf and his music, and as a surprise, he decides to find a band for Elfis consiting of: Stanley (the bass player), Jerry Lee (a piano player), Bix (a drummer), and Aretha, Mariah and Celine (backup singers). Darwin, Mikey and Roxy volunteer to join and the newly formed group is called, "Elfis and The Sleigh Riders." Santa later receives a letter from Joan, inviting him to bring his "string" to unite the elves. Earl the head elf explains there were once six magical lyre strings that represented major tribes of music - Pop, Hard Rock, Techno, Funk, Classical, and Country. However, the six tribes took their strings and went their separate ways. Earl and the others don't trust Joan's invitation, but Roxy decides to sneaks into Elfis' tour balloon out with the string, to prove Joan is the same as any other troll. Mikey, who wants to go on tour with Elfis, Darwin, who is trying to confess his love, and Carl, Stuart, Hermey and Albert, who stowed away, accompany them. At the same time, Jangle Bells finds old illustrations of elves his kind, and he and his brother Jingle Bells set off to find them, eventually getting beamed up into a spaceship.

Meanwhile, Joan sends bounty hunters of smaller music genres to find Elfis, promising to spare the tribe of the successful one. Elfis and the Sleigh Riders group soon discovers the ruins of the Classical tribe's town, Beethovenville. A sentient flute tells them that Joan wants to forcefully unite all elves under Rock. They then head to Rascal Flats to warn the Country Elves. Elfis feels their music is too downbeat and the he decides to try to cheer them up with their first performance, despite Darwin's reservations. The band wind up imprisoned, but are rescued by a smooth-talking Country Elf named Dock and his brother Dick, who the former builds them a raft to take them to Vibe City to warn the Funk Trolls. They encounter Euge, a Smooth Jazz troll, who paralyzes them with his music, until Dock, using gumdrop earplugs to remain immune, drives him off. Carl deserts the group, angry that Roxy broke an earlier promise to keep him safe.

During their tour around the world, the band at first was off to a rough start, but slowly their popularity starts rising. The group reaches Smokey City, which turns out to be the spaceship that took Jingle and Jangle. They reunite with the Bells brothers, who reveal that Jangle is actually the long-lost son of Funk Elves King Evergreen and Queen Starlight, and they maintain all elves are the same, but Elfis explains that Pop Elves once tried to unite all elves under Pop, causing the initial split. The Hard Rock Elves attack the ship, and the group are ejected to safety. After arguing with each other due to Roxy over her refusal to listen, she and Darwin walk off their separate ways leaving Mikey all alone. To makes matters worse, the members of The Sleigh Riders also get into an argument over who is going to sing a solo. They are unable to resolve their differences, and the band split up. Darwin is captured by Reggaetón and K-Pop elves, who fight over him until he convinces them to work together with him against Joan.

A repentant Dock reveals he is actually a Yodel elf, who disguised himself and his brother Dick to steal the string. He tells Roxy to run, but Joan arrives and captures her. Darwin, meanwhile, returns home to find the North Pole village destroyed, and rallies his friends to rescue Darwin and Roxy. Despite the best efforts of the elves, the reindeer, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus, the band members are too angry to even talk to each other. Elfis intervenes with a poignant reminder of the value and importance of friendship and communication. The band members realize how foolish they have been to harbor anger against each other, and they make up and Elfis and The Sleigh Riders are back together.

At Detroit Rock City in the South Pole, Joan forces her captives to attend a concert. She uses the six magic strings on her guitar to turn all her captives to Rock Zombies, including Darwin when he and his new friends try to rescue Roxy. Mikey and a young silent elfling named Bob try to save Roxy from a similar fate, but she herself seems to have been turned, but then reveals that she used gumdrops to block out the music. She gives Mikey, Joan's guitar and he smashes it, restoring the zombies, but the strings are destroyed, ending music and turning all elves gray.

Mikey hears his heartbeat and starts beatboxing with Elfis. Santa convinces the other trolls to make sounds to create a rhythm and sing a christmas carol. The two elves lead everyone into singing together from their hearts, restoring their music, strings and color, including Joan, who joins the Sleigh Riders, falls in love with Elfis and they eventually get married. Darwin finally confesses his feelings for Roxy, and the elves all return to the North Pole to celebrate, rockin' better than ever.

Voice cast

 * Jason Schwartzman as Darwin, the one of the Pop Elves, Mikey's best friend, and Roxy's boyfriend.
 * Chris Pratt as Mikey, an everyman Pop Elf, Darwin's best friend, and Maddie's boyfriend.
 * Kelly Clarkson as Roxy, a sweet and optimistic Pop Elf and Darwin's girlfriend.
 * Matthew McConaughey as Elfis, an elvisesque swinging singer Pop Rock Elf who puts together a band "Elfis and the Sleigh Riders".
 * Rachel Bloom as Joan, the feisty and misguided Head of the Hard Rock Elves. She is the main antagonist of the film.
 * Jack McBrayer as Hermey, a dentist Pop Elf and one of Darwin and Mikey's friends.
 * Blake Shelton as Earl, the Head of the Pop Elves.
 * J.K. Simmons as Santa Claus, a magical figure who brings presents for people on Christmas night, when they are asleep.
 * Patrick Stump as Stuart, a cool and smooth Pop Elf, one of Mikey and Darwin’s friends, and Tinsel's boyfriend.
 * Jason Sudeikis as Jingle Bells, a grumpy, but good-hearted Pop Elf and Jangle's best friend.
 * Kevin Hart as Jangle Bells, a cautious but bold and calmer in tough Pop Elf, Jingle's best friend, and Lilia's boyfriend.
 * Janelle Monáe as Maddie, a kindhearted Pop Elf, Jingle and Jangle's closest friend, and Mikey's girlfriend.
 * James Corden as Carl, a friendly and dim-witted Pop Elf, one of Darwin and Mikey's friends, and Kat's boyfriend.
 * Tony Hale as Albert, a paranoid Pop Elf who accompanies Darwin and Mikey on their journey.
 * Reba McEntire as Dixie, the mayor of the Country Elves.
 * Donald Glover as Stanley, a Pop Elf and the bass player of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * Danny Pudi as Jerry Lee, a Pop Elf and the piano player of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * Ben Schwartz as Bix, a Pop Elf and the drummer of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * Sam Rockwell as Dock, one of the Yodeling Elves who disguises himself as a Country Elf.
 * Gwen Stefani as Aretha, a Pop Elf one of the three background singers of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * Mariah Carey as Mariah, a Pop Elf one of the three background singers of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * Mandy Moore as Celine, a Pop Elf one of the three background singers of Elfis and the Sleigh Riders.
 * George Clinton as King Evergreen, the king of the Funk Elves, Jangle's biological father and Jingle's adoptive father.
 * Mary J. Blige as Queen Starlight, the queen of the Funk Elves, Jangle's biological mother and Jingle's adoptive mother.
 * Pitbull as Roberto, a slick party animal Pop Elf and Roxy's closest/best friend.
 * Wanda Sykes as Sugarplum Mary, a Pop Elf chef and the chief assistant to Mrs. Claus in the Kitchen.
 * Maya Rudolph as Mrs. Claus, the wife of Santa Claus.
 * Bebe Rexha as Tinsel, a green-haired elf, one of the Spy Pop Elves, and Stuart’s girlfriend.
 * Charli XCX as Kat, a red-haired elf, one of the Spy Pop Elves, and Carl's love girlfriend.
 * Lizzo as Lilia, a indigo-haired elf, one of the Spy Pop Elves, and Jangle's girlfriend.
 * Alan Tudyk as Topper, a penguin who accompanies The Sleigh Riders on their tour alongside Dasher and Dancer.
 * J Balvin as Marley, the leader of the Reggaeton Trolls.
 * as Dick, one of the Yodelling Elves and Dock's brother who disguised himself as a Country Elf.
 * Ester Dean as Leslie, a Pop Elf who can make her pigtails grow really long at will.
 * Jessica DiCicco as Nova, a goth Pop Elfling and Mikey's gothic niece.
 * Tara Strong as Bob, a silent Pop Elfling and Darwin and Mikey's friend. He begins to speak at the end of the film.
 * Jamie Dornan as Euge, the Smooth Jazz Elf.
 * Gustavo Dudamel as Arturo, the ruler and conductor of the Classical Elves.
 * Alice Cooper as Crash, the retired Head of the Hard Rock Elves and Joan's semi-senile father who moves around in a wheelchair.
 * Anthony Ramos as Elfmix, the kind, upbeat and protective king of the Techno Elves.
 * Ariel Winter as Nellie, a prepper Pop Elf.
 * Olivia Colman as Elfie, a prepper Pop Elf.
 * Gina Rodriguez as Trixie, a prepper Pop Elf.
 * Christian Slater as Sam, a bartender Pop Elf.
 * Karan Soni as Thommy, a Hard Rock Elf and Joan's laid-back drummer.
 * Charlyne Yi as a small flute who resides with the Classical Elves.
 * Red Velvet as as the K-Pop Gang, a group of K-pop Elves.
 * Nasim Pedrad as Mikey's mom.
 * as Toni Parker, a human talent show host.
 * Daran Norris as Mall Santa
 * Brandon Greene as:
 * Kaz, the Sleigh Riders tour bus driver.
 * Construction worker elf
 * Sleigh Riders fan
 * An old man
 * Da'Vine Joy Randolph as a magenta-colored Techno Elf
 * Matt Berry as the Winter Warlock, an immortal hermit with the powers of ice and snow.

Soundtrack
Music from and Inspired by Elves World Tour, the soundtrack of the film, it will be released on November 4, 2040. Along with Clarkson, McEntire, .Paak, Blige and Clinton, songs are provided by and Kendrick Lamar.

A cover song of The Zippers, "GO Christmas!", was released on October 26, 2040. Manic Street Preachers' version of "This Is the Day" is not in the actual movie, but is heard in the film's first trailer and can be found on the soundtrack. Songs by Elvis Presley are used in the film.

No. Title.......................................................................Music


 * 1) "GO Christmas!"....................................Kelly Clarkson, the Elves cast
 * 2) ""....................................Anthony Ramos
 * 3) "Elves Just Wanna Have Fun"....................................Kelly Clarkson, Fletcher Sheridan, the Elves cast
 * 4) " (Paul Oakenfold remix)"....................................Elvis Presley
 * 5) ""....................................Elvis Presley
 * 6) ""....................................Reba McEntire
 * 7) ""....................................Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson
 * 8) ""....................................Alice Cooper
 * 9) ""....................................Kelly Clarkson
 * 10) "Can't Smile Without Ewe"....................................Matthew McConaughey
 * 11) ""....................................Elvis Presley
 * 12) ""....................................Elvis Presley
 * 13) ""....................................Elvis Presley
 * 14) ""....................................Rachel Bloom,
 * 15) ""....................................Matthew McConaughey, Kelly Clarkson, Oscar Isaac, Chris Pratt, Rachel Bloom, the Elves cast
 * 16) ""....................................Kelly Clarkson, Jeremy Jones, Sung Lee
 * 17) ""....................................Kelly Clarkson
 * 1) ""....................................Rachel Bloom,
 * 2) ""....................................Matthew McConaughey, Kelly Clarkson, Oscar Isaac, Chris Pratt, Rachel Bloom, the Elves cast
 * 3) ""....................................Kelly Clarkson, Jeremy Jones, Sung Lee
 * 4) ""....................................Kelly Clarkson

Development
In January 2034, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Netflix announced the sequel to their animated film, Elves. The film began production in July 2034, with Kyle Balda as the director and Brandon Greene as the writer and co-producer. In May 2037, the film's title was revealed as Elves World Tour.

Casting
In October 2039, it was announced that Jason Schwartzman, Chris Pratt, and J.K. Simmons are reprising their roles as Darwin, Mikey, and Santa Claus, respectively. Matthew McConaughey, Sam Rockwell, Donald Glover, Danny Pudi, Rachel Bloom and Gwen Stefani were added to the cast in December 2039. Clarkson, Corden, Sudeikis, Hart, Monáe, and Pitbull will return to reprise their roles.

Release
Elves World Tour is released on Netflix on November 2, 2040.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 71% based on 160 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "A fun follow-up for fans of the original, Elves World Tour offers a second helping of colorful animation, infectious energy, and sing-along songs." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 51 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Owen Gleiberman of Variety magazine gave it a mixed review, calling it a "music-drenched fairy tale" and "for all its surface pleasures, it's a likable but underimagined one, with more enthusiasm than surprise and, at the same time, an overprogrammed sense of its own thematic destiny."

Entertainment Weekly gave a mixed review, calling it "'/' with lower stakes".

Trivia

 * This is the first film in The Christmas Movie franchise where Brandon Greene is not the director.
 * It is the third animated film to be a sequel to their spin-off, the others being Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) and  (2022).
 * The idea of the movie came from the children's play Elfis and the Sleigh Riders and the Dreamworks film,  (2020).
 * Bruce Campbell was the original choice to voice Elfis, but then was replaced by Matthew McConaughey.