This animated film from Illumination, Sing 2, comes just in time for Christmas. Children will love this musical gift just as much, if not more, as the original installment. Writer/director, Garth Jennings, has gotten the old cast, led by Matthew McConaughey, back together for another star-studded, music-filled delight for the eyes. The rag-tag gang returns, featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, and Tori Kelly. Once again, McConaughey's Buster Moon is desperate to impress show business big wigs. He's still "dreaming big dreams" and pulling the other characters along for the ride. This sequel takes the gang to Redshore City, a stand-in for Las Vegas, with the hopes of winning a chance to headline a show. Somehow Buster convinces Jimmy Crystal (voiced by Bobby Cannavale), a wolf reminiscent of Simon Cowell all too ready to press the red X on every hopeful performer, to give them a shot. A promise is made to find a reclusive musician who has not been seen in fifteen years, and audiences realize this will be the hero's journey of the movie. However, there are other challenges the characters must face. Buster's singers are small-town bumpkins compared to the city-slicker Redshore residents, so each animal has a bit of character development to work through before they can get to their big number. Witherspoon's Rosita must face her fears of falling; she needs to find her courage before Jimmy Crystal's daughter Porsha (voiced by Halsey) steals the show. Egerton's Johnny finds a way to dance with the help of newcomer lynx, Nooshy (voiced by Letitia Wright). Kelly's Meena learns what it feels like to fall in love, and Kroll's Gunter realizes his dream of a sci-fi musical. Miss Crawly (voiced by Jennings), the elderly iguana with a glass eye, offers some comic relief that parents will adore as well as their children. She is still Buster Moon's incredibly dedicated assistant, even if it means surviving a paint ball assault, car crash, and gaining an apple for a fake eye. Though the music is fantastic throughout, especially with all the newcomers, including Pharrell Williams, it's the inclusion of U2 classics like "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" that gives the film true heart. Bono, playing a gray-maned lion who hasn't sung in years, delivers a moving performance and makes a bond with Scarlett Johansson's Ash that's sure to continue after the final scene. Sing 2 is a film that begs to be viewed on a big screen. The eye-popping, sugary color palette is a feast for the eyes. This film is all about characters who want to perform, to entertain-they just need a stage. By the end of the film, it's clear why Buster Moon dreams big dreams. He believes his friends have the potential to entertain and bring joy to large crowds. Parents looking for a movie to enjoy with their family will find this one more than adequate. Garth Jennings has delivered a story with a group of underdogs that moviegoers will love to root for. No need for an applause sign-audiences will clap on their own.
