MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (12/21-12/25/16): SING
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| "OK people – we've got to take down Star Wars ... Time to be cute as ever!" Ambitious – and desperate for a hit – producer Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his elderly lizard assistant Miss Crawly (writer/director Garth Jennings) size up the competition in a scene from Illumination Entertainment's and Universal Pictures' animated musical SING. Credit: © 2016 Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures. All rights reserved. |
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Beck Bennett, Nick Offerman, Jennifer Saunders, Garth Jennings, Peter Serafinowicz, Leslie Jones and Jay Pharoah
WRITER(S): Garth Jennings
DIRECTOR(S): Garth Jennings
DIRECTOR(S): Garth Jennings
WEB SITE: http://www.passengersmovie.com/
HERE'S THE STORY: Set in a world with no humans but animals that live and act as we do, Sing introduces us to Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), an ambitious koala who is desperate for a hit to save his theater. Backed by his elderly lizard assistant, the aptly named Ms. Crawly (Sing writer-director Garth Jennings), Buster comes up with a plan he sure is ingenious as it is well, cheap: Host a singing competition with a promise of thousands of dollars to the winner (even if he technically doesn't have the money yet). Then again, since Buster's best friend, a laid back sheep named Eddie (John C. Reilly) comes from a rich family, why would he worry about the money.
Following his city-wide talent search, a few standout contestants emerge: Mike (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), a Frank Sinatra-like mouse who croons as much as he cons; Johnny (voiced by Taron Egerton), a sensitive gorilla who would rather sing than take part in his father's criminal activities; Rosita (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) an overworked pig housewife who finds her niche once paired up with the outlandish Gunther (voiced by Nick Kroll) and Ash (voiced by Scarlett Johannson), a punk-rock porcupine who is having trouble deciding whether to pursue her dreams once she is picked but her egocentric boyfriend (voiced by Beck Bennett) is not. Timid elephant Meena (voiced by Tori Kelly) could be the biggest star in the show, however ... If only she could get over her severe case of stage fright.
But despite all their individual problems, they all have one thing in common: The stage is where they plan to shine, because that's where they all will go to sing.
HERE'S THE STORY: Set in a world with no humans but animals that live and act as we do, Sing introduces us to Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), an ambitious koala who is desperate for a hit to save his theater. Backed by his elderly lizard assistant, the aptly named Ms. Crawly (Sing writer-director Garth Jennings), Buster comes up with a plan he sure is ingenious as it is well, cheap: Host a singing competition with a promise of thousands of dollars to the winner (even if he technically doesn't have the money yet). Then again, since Buster's best friend, a laid back sheep named Eddie (John C. Reilly) comes from a rich family, why would he worry about the money.
Following his city-wide talent search, a few standout contestants emerge: Mike (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), a Frank Sinatra-like mouse who croons as much as he cons; Johnny (voiced by Taron Egerton), a sensitive gorilla who would rather sing than take part in his father's criminal activities; Rosita (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) an overworked pig housewife who finds her niche once paired up with the outlandish Gunther (voiced by Nick Kroll) and Ash (voiced by Scarlett Johannson), a punk-rock porcupine who is having trouble deciding whether to pursue her dreams once she is picked but her egocentric boyfriend (voiced by Beck Bennett) is not. Timid elephant Meena (voiced by Tori Kelly) could be the biggest star in the show, however ... If only she could get over her severe case of stage fright.
But despite all their individual problems, they all have one thing in common: The stage is where they plan to shine, because that's where they all will go to sing.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of Despicable Me, American Idol, The Voice and any of other countless singing competitions that have taken over TV in recent memory; pop music fans; aspiring young singers; those who appreciate kid films with an adult orientation
WHO WON'T (OR SHOULDN'T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Those that will find the film a bit "easy" given its reliance on popular music; people who don't like watching personified animals; those who find the premise silly
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? One of the best animated films of recent memory and certainly 2016, Sing delivers original entertainment – with a healthy blend of familiar musical fun – suitable for audiences of all ages.
While it is easy to dismiss the film as a collection of familiar songs being sung by animals, it would also be an incorrect analysis. Taking inspiration in a way from The Muppets Save Manhattan, Sing finds itself with just enough original twists and turns to stand out, thanks largely in part to the excellent animation by Illumination Entertainment that brings the stellar voice cast's humor, happiness and emotions to life.
The characters in Sing are well-developed entities, all of whom contribute to the story to make it more than just a simple "animals in a singing competition" film. McConaughey offers up a great performance as the Kermit the Frog like Buster, always dreaming of a big show, having a hit and doing his dad proud. Likewise, many of the contestants – Egerton as Johnny and Kelly as Meena in particular – have stories which are not only relatable but easy and enjoyable to watch progress. Fortunately, there are several characters present to balance out the heavier parts of the film as Kroll's performance as Gunther could merit it's own Minions-like spinoff (or at least, Blu-Ray bonus feature) to go along with the hilarious audition footage.
What really stands out is that in working towards its rather simple climax, the film builds momentum steadily and without ever being predictable, lazy or boring in doing so. Instead, you get lively characters interacting in unique ways while creating an immersive world for both themselves and you as an audience member. Of course, this wouldn't work were the music not on point as well as it is – and is it ever on point in Sing. While the trailer may tease songs that have long become pop culture staples such as one hit wonder Crazy Town's "Butterfly," the actual full-length musical numbers are nothing short of all-out concerts ... That just so happen to be performed by animated gorillas, elephants, pigs, porcupines and rodents among others that have to be seen to be appreciated.
Anyone who sees Sing, however, will surely come to appreciate that fact.
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? One of the best animated films of recent memory and certainly 2016, Sing delivers original entertainment – with a healthy blend of familiar musical fun – suitable for audiences of all ages.
While it is easy to dismiss the film as a collection of familiar songs being sung by animals, it would also be an incorrect analysis. Taking inspiration in a way from The Muppets Save Manhattan, Sing finds itself with just enough original twists and turns to stand out, thanks largely in part to the excellent animation by Illumination Entertainment that brings the stellar voice cast's humor, happiness and emotions to life.
The characters in Sing are well-developed entities, all of whom contribute to the story to make it more than just a simple "animals in a singing competition" film. McConaughey offers up a great performance as the Kermit the Frog like Buster, always dreaming of a big show, having a hit and doing his dad proud. Likewise, many of the contestants – Egerton as Johnny and Kelly as Meena in particular – have stories which are not only relatable but easy and enjoyable to watch progress. Fortunately, there are several characters present to balance out the heavier parts of the film as Kroll's performance as Gunther could merit it's own Minions-like spinoff (or at least, Blu-Ray bonus feature) to go along with the hilarious audition footage.
What really stands out is that in working towards its rather simple climax, the film builds momentum steadily and without ever being predictable, lazy or boring in doing so. Instead, you get lively characters interacting in unique ways while creating an immersive world for both themselves and you as an audience member. Of course, this wouldn't work were the music not on point as well as it is – and is it ever on point in Sing. While the trailer may tease songs that have long become pop culture staples such as one hit wonder Crazy Town's "Butterfly," the actual full-length musical numbers are nothing short of all-out concerts ... That just so happen to be performed by animated gorillas, elephants, pigs, porcupines and rodents among others that have to be seen to be appreciated.
Anyone who sees Sing, however, will surely come to appreciate that fact.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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