Dream big dreams are not just empty words that after throwing them on someone, you can forget about. For someone who is down, feels disappointed and lacks encouragement, the abovementioned words can do magic. After all, Walt Disney was right in saying, “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably,” and the sequel of “Sing 2” relives every minute of it.
After a huge success, koala Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) dreams of a bigger stage show, an extravaganza, something that can blow all the minds away. With that, he convinces mean mogul Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) to do a show on his stage, but with one exception – the rock star named Clay Calloway (Bono), who left the stage fifteen years ago due to the loss of his partner must return to the stage. Determined Buster Moon agreed to Crystal’s terms, not realizing the bumpy road ahead. But when it comes to Buster Moon, nothing can stop him from delivering the show of a lifetime.
Including Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Crystal’s spoiled but very talented daughter Porsha (Halsey), Tori Kelly as elephant Meena, versatile Scarlett Johansson as Ash, exceptional gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton) and the U2 star Bono as Clay Calloway, “Sing 2” proves that sequels sometimes can be better than the original. It has this unique charisma, a universal message of defeating fear and the ability to move forward and up, no matter how hard life puts you down, is an epitome of determination in which the new animated film shines in every moment.
When the animated film opens, we find Buster Moon trying to convince Suki Lane (Chelsea Peretti), Jimmy Crystal’s assistant that he is all that Crystal needs in his upcoming show. However, when Suki tells Buster, after abruptly leaving the so-called boring show, “You are not good enough,” Buster takes it as a challenge, gathering the entire group and travelling to Redshore City, a mixture of Las Vegas, Nevada, Chicago and California, to meet the mogul no matter what. However, upon arriving in the city, Buster quickly realizes it’s not going to be easy. And when he commits to having the retired rock star join the show, everything gets messy, but not long enough to remind us about the power of music and its ability to heal, bring everyone together, show love and compassion, companionship and friendship, and fear – that is ok to have, as long as you learn how to overcome it.
Writer/director Garth Jennings, who voices my personal favorite character Miss Crawly (so funny you won’t be able to stop laughing throughout), makes an excellent statement with “Sing 2”, having added beautiful music, a great story and a group of fabulous characters you will be cheering for, except for Jimmy Crystal, the villain in town. As for Bono, his deep voice and the profound character arc brings a spark into the show, as the only character who must find his way through the darkness he lived in for the past fifteen years.
From start to end, “Sing 2” does not disappoint. It’s funny, sad, entertaining and a thrilling piece the entire family will enjoy the most. As for the little audience, the children will find a few things to learn, including the lesson that it’s indeed worth dreaming big dreams. But no dreams come true if you don’t work hard. And that’s the rule of life “Sing 2” excellently points out.