Movie Review: ‘Sing 2’

Review by James Lindorf

Five years ago, Illumination released their surprise smash hit “Sing” and raked in over 600 million at the box office. This holiday season, the long-awaited encore is finally taking center stage. The Moon Theater has not only been saved; it is now selling out show after show and is officially Calatonia’s hottest ticket. On December 22nd, these small town dreamers seek to make a splash in Redshore City, the world’s entertainment capital.

Most of the star-studded cast of the original “Sing” has returned, including Matthew McConaughey, the stubborn and endlessly optimistic Buster Moon. Moon is ready to take the show on the road. He is bringing Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Ash (Scarlett Johansson), Johnny (Taron Egerton), Meena (Tori Kelly), Gunter (Nick Kroll), and of course, the trusty Miss Crawly (Garth Jennings) along for the ride. The small town crew has to impress the notoriously picky and violent media mogul Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) to reach the next level. Not an easy task when Jimmy is best described as Simon Cowel, reality tv judge and mafia boss. Much to the surprise of Crystal’s talent, scout Suki (Chelsea Peretti) Jimmy gives Buster his show. With the small caveat that if Buster embarrasses him, Jimmy will see him thrown off the roof of his tower in the heart of Redshore City. To survive and put on the best show possible, the team will need help from a few newcomers. Johnny will turn to street dancer Nooshy Kaye (Letitia Wright) to expand his skill set. Meena will be partnered with egotistical leading man Darius Peters (Eric André) while having a crush on ice cream vendor Alfonso (Pharrell Williams). Even Jimmy’s spoiled daughter Porsha (Halsey) and Clay Calloway (Bono), a reclusive rock legend, will have to lend a paw.

In the 11 years since Illumination burst onto the scene with “Despicable Me,” they have been known for making films that know how to show you a good time. Their first entry in a franchise tends to balance heart with that fun amazingly well. However, the further they get into a series, the more fun takes over. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Who doesn’t love or require a bit of escapism, but it does mean that those subsequent films aren’t quite the complete package the originals were. That is an idea that holds true now that “Sing” is officially a franchise.

The original movie was a deep exploration of people and their dreams. The film was headlined by Buster, who was about to lose his business, home, and the chance of putting on a great show. But there was also Rosita, the overwhelmed stay-at-home mom who wondered if she missed her calling, Ash, who may have lost her shot along with her cheating boyfriend, and shy teenager Meena who might be too afraid to take the chance right in front of her. It was great watching those characters finding themselves and chasing down their dream, all set to a fantastic soundtrack.

In “Sing 2,” things get much less dramatic. Outside of Jimmy threatening to send Buster plummeting to his doom, the most significant obstacles are a previously unknown fear of heights and a combative choreographer. Thankfully the movie manages to hang on to enough heart not to be classified as a music video. Instead of their dreams this time around, writer and director Garth Jennings decided to focus on love. Love for family, by birth or choice, the love of performing, first love, and everlasting love in the case of Clay, who has been in hiding since the death of his wife. Jennings didn’t put enough in the script for you to cheer for their breakthroughs. Still, Johnny and the rest have reached beloved character status, so you have to at least smile at their successes even if their failures mean going back to being big fish in a small pond.

The first “Sing” featured parts of over 60 songs. The final count for “Sing 2” will likely be much higher. It is nearly a credit-to-credit parade of top 40 pop songs, which were chosen to get kids and adults singing and maybe even dancing along, not because they fit the moment. When I saw the movie, kids were dancing not only in their seats but the aisles as well. In the days, weeks, and years following “Sing 2,” you may not remember any of the plot details, but you will remember the way it made you feel, and that is what makes it the perfect holiday film to share with friends and family. “Sing 2” is a step down from “Sing,” which was an easy 5 out of 5, but the sequel is still a strong 4 out of 5.

Rating: PG (Some Rude Material|Mild Peril/Violence)
Genre: Kids & Family, Animation, Comedy, Musical
Original Language: English
Director: Garth Jennings
Producer: Christopher Meledandri, Janet Healy
Writer: Garth Jennings
Release Date: December 22nd, 2021
Runtime: 1h 50m
Distributor: Universal Pictures