About the film (courtesy of Illumination):
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic koala, 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.
Five years ago, Garth Jennings hit a high note with the animated musical competition comedy featuring animals of all times looking to cash in on their amazing voice talents. The upbeat original work featured a bevy of talented voices while grossing nearly $650 million worldwide. With a score this large, a sequel was inevitable. And here were are with Sing 2 ready to entertain our ears all over again.
After finding their collective voices the first time around, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) looks to elevate his eye (and ear) for talent to more of a musical production rather than just a competition. Returning are the voice talents of Taron Egerton, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Nick Offerman, Rhea Perlman and Jennifer Saunders. Newly added to the stage are Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Chelsea Peretti, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Pharrell Williams and Bono.
This diverse mixture of actors and singers assist in maintaining above average voice acting along with those that can naturally carry a tune. Sing 2 doesn’t seem to have as much singing performances as in the first film and that’s kind of a disappointment because it’s not like the title of this movie is Talk. I just feel that more music could have helped inject this sequel with more pop.
Sing 2 is more of the same from what you got in the 2016 movie. And to that point, this outing feels a bit lackluster. I’m not expecting a deep story with several subplots, especially in a production that geared towards a younger audience. That being said, it’s the adults that will have to sit with them and endure, so from that perspective, it comes up a bit short.
Taron Egerton shined the brightest the first time around, but with Sing 2, he role has been much more subdued. That’s fine and all IF you filled that void with an equally interesting and entertaining counterbalance. That’s not the case here. Bobby Cannavale and Halsey are alright in their voice acting/singing roles but it doesn’t hit the same notes. Bono, on the other hand, is a very cool addition to this works and maximizes his time spent behind the mic.
If you do happen to step out to see Sing 2 over Christmas, expect to have some enjoyable moments and good music to your ears. Just don’t expect an encore performance of what you received the first time around because the fun factor is diminished the second tome around due to a lack of newness injected into it. You can check this one out in theaters everywhere today.
