It’s ‘Illumination’ time again with the wonderful song and dance filled latest sequel once again directed and written by Garth Jennings. As expected, the sequel includes a return of the all of our favourite characters from the first “SING” film, including our lead Koala Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), the adorably Mama Pig Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) along with all her piglets and husband, our in house rocker-chick Porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), shy, sweet Elephant Meena (Tori Kelly), and our overly sensitive Gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton). But wait! As there are new friends and villain as well.

The film opens with a completely wonderful and wild performance of the Prince song, “Let’s Go Crazy” and at the center of it the story here is of course, Buster Moon, with the movie picking up where the last one left off. Buster is trying to impress a big city talent scout name Suki (Chelsea Peretti), who has informed him that his team is ‘cute’, but “not good enough”. See, Buster’s dream is to introduce the act on a global scale and take it to Redshore City, an Illumination version of Las Vegas. So in true Buster-style he gets the gang back together and along with our fun German accented Dad Pig Gunter (Nick Kroll), and of course his ever present assistant Gecko Miss Crawly (Garth Jennings), and they all hop a bus to Redshore City to get an unplanned audition with big entertainment mogul Lion Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Canavale), who runs Crystal Entertainment.

The key element here in SING 2 is Buster’s promise to Crystal to deliver the one and only, Clay Callaway (Bono), to the new production, though he hasn’t performed live or much less been seen in public since his wife passed away 15 years earlier. As well, he has to put Crystal’s spoiled daughter Porsche (Halsey), in the show as well, who while she can sing and fly like a bird, cannot act to save her life. So as not to spoil the whole story, just know it involves a lot more great music including songs from such artists as Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd, which all play well. There is a possible romance between Meena and newcomer ice-cream man Elephant (Pharrell Williams), and a sweet relationship between Johnny and a Lynx street dancer Nooshy (Letitia Wright). Put in some crazy moments with the piglets that kids and adults alike can’t help but laugh at, and of course the shenanigans of Buster dodging threats from our villain Crystal, all add up to just being a lot of fun and some great singing/dancing from the wonderful cast of animal characters.

The highlight of the movie hands down is Ash and Callaway with the climax of the show featuring them singing a version of Bono’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” that actually made me a bit emotional. As the film is so character driven one must mention the voice acting. As a rule they’re all great, but I’ve got to make some special notes for Bobby Cannavale who’s brilliant as the villain and for Halsey who does very well as his spoilt daughter. The entire original cast is still shining bright and one more special mention must go to Bono who does surprise performing the role of the aging recluse Clay Calloway.

Bottom line, having gone with an 8 year old and three adults, we all loved it equally as it’s a true family film for all ages. and I can’t wait to SING again.

Grade: B

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Review Screening: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 ~ Courtesy of Universal Pictures

“SING 2” is out in theaters on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 //Worldwide in of January 2022