Sing 2

"I want to run, I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls that hold me inside
I wanna reach out and touch the flame
Where the streets have no name" - U2

We all have fond memories of the animated film Sing which was a crazy musical with a sumptuous cast in its original version (Matthew McConaughey, Nick Kroll, Nick Offerman, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly). This vocal cast becomes simply impressive by finding these same artists but also Bobby Cannavale, Bono, Chelsea Peretti, Eric André, Halsey, Letitia Wright and Pharrell Williams. 

We also find Garth Jennings at the script and at the direction who succeeded not only in proposing an even more impressive sequel but especially musical numbers proposing inescapable hits of these last years (we only regret that Taylor Swift is not in the original vocal casting). This time Buster Moon and his entire cast of star performers are preparing to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet in Redshore City. As rehearsals begin, their manager Jimmy Crystal imposes not only his daughter only in their show but also a clause that without the presence of world star Clay Calloway will not take place. Mission all the more difficult that Clay since the death of his companion turned the back to the world of the music. Ash who is a huge fan of Clay will succeed in helping Buster to bring Clay back into the spotlight.

We had to wait five years to get a sequel to Sing and yet the atmosphere of the first movie that we loved is back with musical and dance numbers and also all the difficulties encountered in the rehearsals of a new show on stage and backstage. In five years the technology has really evolved and visually this new film is a real success. Illumination Animation Studios shows that they are capable of standing up to The Walt Disney Company and that the script is just as important as the visual aspect. All the magic of the cinema takes all its importance during the numerous songs which will remind you in this difficult period that the cinema is in the center of our life to be able to escape from our everyday life.

The great strength of Sing 2 is that it manages to surprise us and avoid repeating itself. By moving the action to a city that looks a lot like Las Vegas, Garth Jennings doesn't hesitate to send some jabs at his producers who think they can do whatever they want, such as throwing a person off their balcony at the top of a tower or imposing a member of their family on a show when that person doesn't have the necessary talent, let alone the experience of a real singer. It is also impossible when listening to some of the songs again not to feel nostalgic for the old days when we used to go to concerts of international artists and sing songs in unison. The presence of the leader of U2, Bono who covers here the magnificent song Where the streets have no name with Scarlett Johansson (track 15 of the music of the film) is one of these moments of pure magic as we would like to see more often in the cinema. We can also appreciate the presence of one of our favorite artists Halsey and Pharrell Williams.

There are almost forty songs in this film, including those of Prince (introductory scene on the song Let's go Crary), Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and different musical trends such as pop, rock or rap. We come out of the film with the desire to see it again to immerse ourselves in this true visual and musical experience worthy of the great Hollywood shows. We hope now not to have to wait another five years to find Buster Moon and his troupe for a new show and even more voices of world famous and appreciated artists.

Sing 2
Written and directed by Garth Jennings
Based on Characters by Garth Jennings
Produced by Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Nick Offerman, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti, Bono
Edited by Gregory Perler
Music by Joby Talbot (score), U2 (song)
Production company :Illumination
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : November 14, 2021 (AFI Fest), December 22, 2021 (United States), December 22, 2021 (France)
Running time : 112 minutes

Seen on November 21, 2021 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 1, seat L20

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