Andrea’s Angle | “Sing 2” – As Fun as the First
My husband and I love animated shows and because I was a first-grade teacher in the past, I love children’s movies as much as adult animation. When we watched Sing, we found it fun, full of amazing numbers and had a great story. I was looking forward to Sing 2 from the moment I heard it was coming out and couldn’t wait. But I did wonder if it would live up to the first film. I am happy to say that it does, it is as fun as the original with as many wonderful musical numbers, and the story was endearing.
Sing 2 is a computer-animated musical comedy written and directed by Garth Jennings. It picks up after the events of the first film, with Buster (Matthew McConaughey) still running his theater but he has dreams of taking the show to Redshore City but a talent scout Suki (Chelsea Peretti) tells him he doesn’t have what it takes. So Buster gets the gang back together, heads out on a bus to get the attention of Suki’s boss, Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). However, he’s given only three weeks to put on a show and Crystal orders him to have Clay Calloway (Bono), a retired rock star in the show, along with his daughter Portia (Halsey). Buster has the help of Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Gunter (Nick Kroll), Mina (Tori Kelly), Johnny (Taron Egerton), and Ash (Scarlett Johansson) along with the help of others along the way, like Nooshy (Letitia Wright), a dancer that helps Johnny, Darius (Eric Andre), a singer paired with Mina for a romantic number, Alfonso (Pharrell Williams), Mina’s crush, Norman, Rosita’s husband (Nick Offerman) and Ms. Crawly (Garth Jennings), Buster’s assistant. But will they be able to manage to put on the show with the demands of Jimmy Crystal and his bullying?
What makes this as successful as the first movie is that they use the strengths that made the first so good. One of the first elements that help it shine is comedy. There are hilarious lines, situations that made us laugh out loud, and actors that are funny in their roles. Some of the best comedic moments come from Ms. Crawly. Buster Moon is another character that has some brilliantly funny moments, especially as he tries to keep the show going. But the entire cast has moments where their characters make you laugh.
It wouldn’t be a great musical comedy without the musical half of the equation. One of the best aspects of the film is songs that are fun, well-chosen, and make you want to sing along. Every number is a reflection of the characters or what is going on in the story. Even the new characters have great pieces but most especially in the final performances. The show is full of dances and music that bring joy, fun, and are fantastically performed.
The story is as strong as the music. The film is dramatic and every character has a moment to excel and to shine in their role. The movie allows the characters to grow and struggle but also rise above their weaknesses. There are scenes that are touching, heartfelt and beautiful. The final scenes are fantastic and make you cheer for the characters. It is also engaging and immersive. I didn’t want to step away from the film at all.
None of this would work without the voice work performance of this great cast. Matthew McConaughey is strong as the lead, Buster Moon. He is both gutsy and nervous as he brings his performers together. Reese Witherspoon is amazing as Rosita, as she struggles with fear the character has never known before. Scarlett Johansson as Ash is warm and sweet. Taron Egerton rises above in his performance as Johnny. Tori Kelly as Mina is shy but passionate in her role. Nick Kroll as Gunter is a comedic riot. Nick Offerman as Norman is strong and supportive. Newcomers Bobby Cannavale as Jimmy Crystal, Halsey as Portia, Pharrell Williams as Alfonso, Letitia Wright as Nooshy, Eric Andre as Darius, Chelsea Peretti as Suki, and Bono as Clay are all wonderful. Each one of them brings a different facet to the film and their own take on their roles. I can’t tell you who has a better performance as they all are so good.
If there is anything that might be a flaw, it would be that the film is predictable. It is a children’s film at heart, though, and that is one of the elements that allows families to better enjoy the film. Even with that, you still are rooting for the characters, loving the music, laughing at the humor, and cheering for the ending.
If you loved the first film, you will love the sequel. It opens with the same energy and closes the same. While the story is different, both are heartwarming, funny, and dramatic with music that rocks you. I highly recommend the whole family go watch this movie.
Rating: 4.5 rock stars out of 5.
Official Website: Sing 2 Trailer & Movie Site | In Theaters Christmas 2021
Facebook: @SingMovie
Twitter: @singmovie
Instagram: @singmovie
Sing 2
Genre: Animation/Adventure/Comedy/Family/Musical
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale). SING 2 opens exclusively in theaters on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
ONE-LINER: Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.
