One of the strangest things takes place by the end of Sing 2. You get so invested in the goings-on that when the final resolve happens you cheer on the results. It’s often so easy with animated movies to have that feeling of distance because, in essence, the characters are a complete figment of someone (or many someone’s) imagination. Not being grounded in reality poses no impediment to getting emotionally involved this time.
Set in the world of the theatre, both big and small we get to know the crazy menagerie of animated animals that make up the cast of a work put on by Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey). A talent scout Suki (Chelsea Peretti) who works for super promotor Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) sees the production and is unimpressed. This sets Buster on a path to eventually putting the musical on in the big smoke. A thinly disguised Las Vegas-like town called Redshore City.
With an insane set design set in outer space and uninhibited by an actual budget limitation and with colours that almost sear the retinas it is visually impressive. The character animations and actions remain in the PG world and present no problems for younger minds to fully grasp. It does teach a few worthy lessons involving friendship and dedication to one’s dreams along the way.
Who would have thought that one of 2021’s most entertaining musicals would be comprised of animated animals voiced by some of Hollywood’s best-known actors and ready to break into song and dance at any moment? It’s difficult to not get involved
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/
