Same Old Song
Yes, guy, ‘Sing’ returns with a dash of that classic ’80s rock the kids today can’t get enough of, on its steady march to franchise-dom – though it’s blessedly free of Minions.
sing 2
Director: Garth Jennings • Writers: Garth Jennings, Christophe Lourdelet
Starring (English): Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Bono, Chelsea Peretti, Letitia Wright
USA/Japan • 1hr 50mins
Opens Hong Kong Apr 21 • I
Grade: B
This is the same movie as Sing.
No seriously, it’s exactly the same. So there’s a troupe of animals in, erm, a theatre troupe. Their semi-weaselly leader is in fact a koala, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey). Buster is one of these fake it ’til you make it types (he’d fit right in with the tech bros in Silicon Valley) who somehow recovered from the literal destruction of his last theatre to have full houses for his new production of “Alice in Wonderland,” starring the nervous elephant, Meena (Tori Kelly).
So when they all decide they’re going to prove they belong in the big leagues in Redshore City (Las Vegas in disguise), despite a scout telling Buster they suck (basically), they get on the bus and go to live out their dreams! The big bad this time is (it was a bank before) is a wolf, Mr Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), a gangster casino mogul who threatens to toss Buster off the roof if he doesn’t come through on his “space opera,” the pig dancer Gunter’s (Nick Kroll) idea. Oh, and he’s backed the gang into a corner by lying, again, about what the show involves. It was $100,000 before, now it’s an appearance by reclusive, retired lion rock star Clay Calloway (Bono).
All those animals on an intercity overnight coach? That’s gotta stink
Every beat that director Garth Jennings hit in his first go ’round with this material is here again, including the audition montage, the crippling stage fright – a bungee swing for housepig Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) – and theft of the venue for One Free Show. It is a carbon copy of the first film. Why is this movie? Oh, snap! Right. Sing made US$650 million, and Sing 2 is at US$400 million and counting. My bad.
Rushing out a sequel to a surprise hit isn’t, well it isn’t a surprise, and repeating what made the surprise hit note for note isn’t unexpected. It’s boring, but not unexpected. Anyone who expresses disappointment with the “sameness” of it all has been living under a rock since, oh, maybe 2000 or so. Why do you think we got all those bloody Minions movies?
The most curious thing about Sing is who the genius is that thought Bono – Bono, Bono, like from U2 Bono – was perfect for the kids these days? Really? Is he playing himself? Is he semi-retired? What the hell is going on here? Sure, parents with kids Sing 2’s age might be amused but even they might be a touch to young for U2, unless they’re affluent quasi-elderlies who adopted children when they realised they missed the baby train. All things being equal I will admit: When Clay and porcupine headbanger Ash (Scarlett Johansson) throw down “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (from 1987!) it reminds us just how strong an arena rock act U2 truly is, and how much Coldplay can suck it and keep trying. Sorry, Martin. You’re never going to play at U2’s level.
This might be what Bono actually looks like these days, we have no confirmation
Is there any more to say about Sing 2? No. You’ve seen this movie. But it’s bright, it’s colourful, and it’s still among the most gorgeously animated and technically strong films of its ilk to come around in a long time (animation studio Illumination is detestable for hoisting Minions on us, but the light and shadow play here is gobstobbing). The messages of overcoming self-doubt and not living in a past you can’t control are valid (if tepid), and it has a few genuinely funny moments. New to the mix are Letitia Wright as lynx (?) Nooshy, a street performer who teaches ape Johnny (Taron Egerton) how to dance, and Cannavale, who’s always a treat when he amps up his Jersey. Sing 2 knows its lane stays in it, and never drifts across the yellow line. It’s safe, but reliable. And judging from the squeals coming out of the surrounding wee audience members at the preview? It’s a stone classic. DEK
Get ready for Sing 3 on Broadway featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda