Colour, movement, quirky characters and an up-tempo soundtrack feature in the animated musical adventure Sing 2.
A troupe of performing animals led by impresario Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) – a koala – is playing sold-out shows in a small town. In the audience one night is canine talent scout Suki Lane (Chelsea Peretti), who is less than impressed and bails at interval. Buster is mortified, but the grand old dame of the theatre, sheep Nana Noodleman (Jennifer Saunders), encourages him to show his mettle and plough on. He does so by rounding up his friends and heading to Redshore City, a place not unlike Las Vegas. There Buster seeks an audience with the head of Crystal Entertainment, wolf Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), who is known to be ruthless.
Buster wants the gang to play at Crystal Tower Theatre. Although initially rejected, Buster uses his ingenuity. He sells the band on their connection to reclusive rock legend Clay Callaway (Bono), who hasn’t performed since his wife passed away more than 15 years ago. Unbelievably, they get the gig. Now they have to contact Callaway and lure him out of self-imposed exile. This will prove to be no easy feat. Buster also finds himself on the wrong side of Jimmy Crystal after he demotes Crystal’s spoiled daughter Porsha (Halsey) from the position of the show’s lead.
Sing 2 delivers a straightforward but well-executed narrative. The foibles imbued in each character give the movie its oomph. Pig Rosita (Reece Witherspoon) is afraid of heights. Mountain gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton) is frustrated at not being able to get his choreography en pointe. Elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) is a real softie who discovers love. Porcupine rocker Ash (Scarlett Johansson) has a can-do attitude. Pig Gunter (Nick Kroll) loves the fact that it is his ideas that form the basis of the musical extravaganza that they are all preparing for. The respectable and compliant iguana Miss Crawly (Garth Jennings) grows teeth when she is temporarily tasked with keeping the troupe on schedule.
Garth Jennings, who wrote and co-directed Sing (2016), is back in charge again. He ensures Sing 2 has warmth and heart.
You don’t need to have seen the original to appreciate this sequel, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. Sing 2 is a light-hearted romp with a ripping soundtrack.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.