Review of Sing (2016) by Brady L — 25 Mar 2018

Fantastical family movie that is light-hearted, whimsical and delivers the songs and the action. Taking on Disney and Dreamworks with this musical themed movie, Illumination proves that it can keep up even with the big corporations.

Featuring an all-star cast, excellent animation and catchy tunes, this movie creates an interesting world where anthropomorphic animals have been put in the role of humans. We are introduced to each of our main characters right away.

Buster Moon, a failing theater owner who does not believe he is failing and begins a singing competition to finally put the theater back in the black. He is accompanied by his lovable assistant Mrs. Crowley, whose handicap causes more then a few unfortunate accidents to occur and Eddie, a spoiled rich kid who has no aspirations or initiative of his own.

Rosita, a severely overworked, massively underappreciated mother of 25 who has lost herself and her mojo. Johnny, the son of a gang leader who wants nothing more to entertain people through singing instead of robbing banks, shipments or basically committing criminal acts.

Ash, a teenaged musician being held down severely by her talentless boyfriend and her own insecurities as a teenaged girl in this world. Mike, a hustler with no real redeeming qualities except his amazing crooner vocals.

Last, but certainly not least, Meena, a magnificent singer with a heart of gold and a debilitating case of stage fright. Watching each of these characters story arcs, including the moment they come out of their shells, except Mike, and simply let loose.

Allowing for the Mike character to not have a story arc but just a story works for this film as it allows for his antics to cause many of the story`s more emotional moments to occur. Rosita letting it all out and being able to keep up with Gunter`s charisma and energy during their routine, Johnny being a showman who finally gets the approval from his father he desperately needed, Ash moving on from her Gothic image and being who she really wants to be, Eddie getting a job and Meena overcoming her stage fright and literally bringing the house down with her performance.

This movie is great for family`s of all ages, although I do recommend not watching the opening 5 minutes too close to the screen as it did cause motion sickness in me at the theater. After the debacles that were Minions and Secret Life of Pets, Illumination came roaring back with this one.

Sing along version probably coming soon.