Set in a world populated by animals, Sing mixes solid family entertainment with a rousing trip through music history. More than 60 songs spanning from Frank Sinatra to Carly Rae Jepsen are included in a film about a singing competition that spins out of control.
Matthew McConaughey voices koala Buster Moon, the perpetually optimistic owner of a struggling theater who comes up with the idea for the contest. However, a misprint in the advertised prize money (USD100,000 instead of USD1,000) draws a crowd of contestants with big dreams and bigger voices.
A star-studded cast lend their voices to the show’s finalists - a motley crew of misfits who must overcome personal struggles for their moment of stardom.
Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon voices Rosita, a doting mother to her 25 piglets. Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane brings his big mouth to Mike, the Sinatra crooning mouse who works as a street musician. Scarlett Johansson is the teenage punk porcupine Ash who is heartbroken when her boyfriend and musical partner leaves out of jealousy from not making it in the show.
Clocking in at an over an hour and 40 minutes, Sing has plenty of individual stories to delve into that will touch audiences of all ages. There’s Johnny (Taron Egerton), the gorilla who doesn’t want to follow his criminal father’s footsteps. Or Meena, the teenage elephant (voiced by Grammy-nominated singer Tori Kelly) who is too shy to sing in front of audiences.
While there’s nothing terribly original about all the plotlines, Sing zips by with its earnest energy. It was written and directed by Garth Jennings, who as one half of Hammer & Tongs helmed music videos for Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, Beck, Blur and Robbie Williams.
Jennings’ love for music shines through with references to everyone from Leonard Cohen to Digital Underground and Elton John to Taylor Swift. The film ends with an appropriately epic final concert where all the loose ends are happily tied up.
With its potent soundtrack and charming characters, Sing has already received a resounding response. Since its release days before Christmas, the film has already grossed overs USD400 million worldwide, whetting the appetite for an encore in the future.
Opens across cinemas on February 16.