A movie centered around cartoon animal characters voiced by acclaimed celebrities who sing covers of hit sing-along songs has shocked the world with a current worldwide box office of $218.8 million. The animated movie Sing 2 is the newest cinematic experience.
Sing 2 has also reached a recent breakthrough for animated movies by being the first to gross $100 million at a US Box Office since three years ago in 2019.
Released on December 22, 2021, Sing 2 is the sequel to Sing which hit theaters five years ago in December of 2016.
“Sing [1] does not compare to Sing 2,” said May Atwell ’24, “I think Sing 2 was honestly better.”
Movie site imdb.com also agrees, giving Sing a rating of 7.1 and Sing 2 a slightly higher rating of 7.2.
As a follow up movie, Sing 2 continues the story of Buster Moon and his various performance cast.
The official movie website, singmovie.com, describes the sequel as, “The new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic koala, Buster Moon, and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star…to join them.”
With its release to theaters, which has become situational throughout the pandemic for many animated movies, Sing 2’s cinematic debut and timing contributed to the success of the film.
Speaking to movieguide.org staff, Scarlett Johansson, who plays Ash, said “It’s just the fact that the film is coming out now when in fact everybody can get together and enjoy it in person is just like wonderful timing. It just feels like the right movie right now. And yeah, it’s going to be just such a delight to get to experience this film, particularly because it’s so uplifting and so much about togetherness.”
The soundtrack of the movie definitely plays a role of its own in the film as well.
“I loved the part when Porsha, the wolf, sings “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys because she has a good voice,” said Charlie Hawkins ’24. The voice behind new character addition Porsha, Halsey, is a new addition to the cast.
However, Halsey was not the only new member. Bono, from legendary Irish band U2, played the role of Clay Calloway. “Your Song Saved My Life,” a new track written specifically for the movie by U2, along with a cover of U2’s 1987 hit, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
According to hollywoodreporter.com, Bono describes the impressive 40 song soundtrack as “quick and playful,” as director Garth Jennings spoke of the process. “There’s no science to it. If you think a song is going to work, you try it … and you’re constantly moving them around.”
As Bono’s first acting role, he is playing a rockstar lion who strongly wishes to be left alone by society.
“The Irish in me is really attracted to the story behind why the lion has lost a roar, why the singer’s lost his voice. He’s lost his muse, you see, his reason to sing. He’s lost his love,” Bono said in an interview to the Today show.
The star-studded cast, along with director Garth Jennings, worked together to have each character develop voices of their own.
“Working with Garth is such a great experience because he truly feels every character’s journey,” said Reese Witherspoon, who plays Rosita, to movieguide.org. “He can walk you through every beat, every moment. I feel like he loves to act out the characters for you as he’s doing it. And, he just has, like, childhood enthusiasm for this world, which is perfect, because you feel his joy in the movie.”
As Sing 2 continues its theater run, it is now already available to stream at home. After watching the movie in theater over Christmas break, Charlie Hawkins ’24 is now a definite fan of the movie.
“It was entertaining and I would recommend it!” she said.
