Sing 2 (2021)

Where will your dreams take you?

PG
1h 50m

Directed by: Garth Jennings
Writer: Garth Jennings
Premiered: December 01, 2021
Language: English
Status: Released
Budget: $85,000,000.00
Revenue: $408,402,685.00
Awards: 2 wins & 21 nominations total
Country: United States of America

Sing 2

7.8/10 (4653 vote)

★★★★★★★★★★

Production: Illumination

Spoiler

The holiday season, a time often associated with festive cheer and cinematic escapism, can also present its own unique brand of terror for moviegoers. Amidst the allure of critically acclaimed films like "Licorice Pizza," the prestige of "The Tragedy of Macbeth" starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, the futuristic intrigue of "The Matrix Resurrections," and the edgier appeal of "Red Rocket," a more daunting prospect looms for many families. This is the moment of reluctant compromise, the dreaded utterance that signals a surrender to the path of least resistance: "Okay kids, let's go see 'Sing 2.'"

For those who may not recall the original 2016 installment, or perhaps have successfully purged it from their memories, its primary claim to fame might have been a fleeting scene featuring Reese Witherspoon's animated pig character belting out Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off." If this recollection is accurate, then the sequel, "Sing 2," offers no compelling reason to believe anything substantial was missed. Conversely, if the original did indeed leave a mark, this follow-up offers little hope of lingering in the mind beyond its runtime, a testament to its hackneyed execution and pervasive blandness.

"Sing 2," a product of Illumination, picks up with the ambitious koala impresario Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey). Having previously saved his local theater through a singing competition that united a diverse cast of dreamers, each armed with a recognizable Top 40 hit, Buster now harbors an even grander aspiration. His sights are set on the dazzling, Las Vegas-esque metropolis of Red Shore, a city renowned for its lavish entertainment complexes. His goal is to stage a spectacular new production at the opulent Crystal Tower Theater, a venue operated by the formidable hotel tycoon Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), a ruthless wolf mogul.

Despite an initial audition that proves to be a significant setback, Buster, through sheer force of will and a bold promise, manages to convince Jimmy Crystal to finance an ambitious sci-fi stage musical titled "Out of this World." The linchpin of this grand plan hinges on Buster's assurance that he can lure the legendary rock star lion, Clay Calloway (voiced by Bono), out of a 15-year self-imposed seclusion to make a special appearance. The catch? Buster doesn't actually know Clay Calloway.

As Buster embarks on his quest to recruit the reclusive rock icon, accompanied by the porcupine rocker Ash (Scarlett Johansson), the rest of his troupe faces their own individual challenges. The production, already teetering on the brink of chaos, continues to lurch forward. Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), a pig who was slated to be the show's star, finds herself demoted when her fear of performing a dangerous stunt leads to her replacement by Porsha (Halsey). Porsha, while lacking in acting prowess, possesses the necessary daring for the stunt and, crucially, is Jimmy Crystal's daughter.

Meanwhile, Johnny (Taron Egerton), the shy gorilla, finds himself embroiled in a "Whiplash"-esque power struggle with a demanding choreographer. He seeks solace and skill development through dance lessons with the street-smart Nooshy (Letitia Wright). Meena (Tori Kelly), the even shyer elephant, faces a personal hurdle as her character in the musical is required to engage in a kiss, an experience she has never encountered. Her discomfort is amplified by her lack of attraction to her self-absorbed scene partner, played by Eric André.

The narrative culminates with the opening night of "Out of this World," a production that, according to the critic, evokes "Barbarella" but without its narrative coherence. As expected, the performance descends into predictable pandemonium. The climax sees Clay Calloway making a triumphant return to the stage, eliciting wild cheers from the fictional audience within the film. This moment also prompts speculation among the real-world viewers about the considerable effort likely required to persuade Bono to not only participate but also to contribute a new U2 song to the soundtrack.

In essence, "Sing 2" is characterized as a cinematic experience akin to a lesser Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland musical, blended with the format of an end-of-year Spotify playlist summary. Despite a proliferation of subplots, the film suffers from a distinct lack of narrative momentum. Writer and director Garth Jennings appears to prioritize spectacle over substance, seemingly unconcerned with the finer points of storytelling. The humor relies heavily on boisterous slapstick, while attempts at emotional resonance feel manufactured and almost insulting. The film's premise, which equates artistic success with flashy presentation, paradoxically undermines its own purported message about the unique power of music.

Jennings' primary focus seems to be the relentless inclusion of as many popular songs as possible, with the sole criterion for selection being their familiarity. The opening sequence, for instance, transforms the vibrant energy of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" into what the critic describes as "meaningless cartoon pablum," marking just one of many perceived musical transgressions. The only musical number that elicits a modicum of approval is Halsey's rendition of The Struts' "Could Have Been Me," a performance deemed unsurprising given Halsey's professional background in rock music.

The film's lack of explicit content—no sex, violence, or profanity—coupled with its cast of endearing anthropomorphic animals, will undoubtedly lead many parents to deem "Sing 2" a safe choice for their children. However, the critic argues that the sheer laziness and lack of soul evident in this franchise extension are far more detrimental. While the best family films ignite young imaginations and impart valuable lessons about storytelling, potentially inspiring future creators, "Sing 2" is seen as serving no purpose beyond occupying a couple of hours. If the film imparts any lesson, it is a pragmatic one: to prepare for a future career in negotiating music licensing for films, ideally for projects with more merit than this one.