Sing 2 (2021)

 

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime ($5.99)
Movie Name/Year: Sing 2 (2021)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Length: 112 minutes
Rating: PG
Production/Distribution: Illumination Entertainment, Cinemundo, Toho-Towa, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures International (UPI), Universal Pictures, Netflix
Director: Garth Jennings
Writers: Garth Jennings
Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, Nick Kroll, Scarlett Johansson, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Bono, Eric André, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Chelsea Peretti, Garth Jennings, Angelo Arce, Adam Buxton, Katherine Kelloway, Jennifer Saunders, Peter Serafinowicz, Ayden Soria, Spike Jonze, Jason Schwartzman, Tara Strong, Edgar Wright, John Kassir, Wes Anderson
 
IMDb Blurb: Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
I haven’t had a chance to see Sing 2 in a theater, so I’ve been waiting with bated breath for it to hit digital On Demand services – much like a singer awaits their musical cue to begin. I did list Sing 2 as the #3 on my personal Top 20 list for December 2021, after all. (You can read about Selina’s expectations for the film in her #5 entry.)
 
Needless to say, the day it became available to rent, the whole family piled onto the couch in the livingroom with popcorn in-hand and watched together. We even watched it a second time today.
 
Sing 2 defied the odds by surpassing the bar set by Sing (2016). This was definitely one of those times that the sequel outshined what had come before.

 
The story grabbed me hard and just held my attention with a vicelike grip through the whole production. I loved the music selections, the cast members were all on point, and I caught a serious case of The Feels.
 
When writer/director Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Son of Rambow, Sing) got together with the music department for Sing 2, they were firing on all cylinders. Every song brought an extra layer to the story and hit just right. My daughter was excited that Halsey (Teen Titans GO! To the Movies, A Star Is Born, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power) had a character in the story. I, however, was absolutely giddy that Sing 2 had Bono (Across the Universe, Lost in London, Pandemica). I kept trying to sing along with the U2 songs during the movie and got shushed…a lot. (I couldn’t help it, and hey – we were at home, where silence doesn’t have an usher to enforce its golden status.)

 
Of course, one would hope for something like that with a director experienced with the music industry and the regular production of music videos. Jennings didn’t disappoint. I liked him before, but now I’m excited for his next big project…whatever that might be.
 
There was enough action and boogie to everything that Sing 2 would entertain and hold the fleeting attention of younger kids, while the deeper stories would easily connect with older audiences.

 
The visual spectacle would be best viewed on a big screen, so if you have a chance to find a theater that might still have it – go for it if you can. Otherwise, it would be a wonderful addition to a family night in. I know it was for me. 

It is unclear at the time of this review which streaming service that Sing 2 will eventually land on. Netflix was reportedly involved with the distribution in some way, but Universal's movies tend to release to Peacock. Just keep your eyes peeled if you need to wait til the rental exclusive period is over.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 71%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 98%
Metascore – 49%
Metacritic User Score – 6.7/10
IMDB Score – 7.5/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5
 
Movie Trailer: