By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola
Back in 2010, Illumination Entertainment made their feature film debut with the release of the hugely successful, Despicable Me. Six years later, the company has continued to soar to become one of the biggest names in the animation industry. With the highly lucrative Despicable Me franchise behind them and this year’s crowd favourite, The Secret Life of Pets, Illumination Entertainment continues to delight with their latest offering Sing, which is their first take on the musical genre.
Directed by Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Sing takes place in an anthropomorphic world where animals walk, dress and, in this case, sing like humans. At the centre of the story is Buster Moon, a down on-his-luck yet optimistic Koala (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), who is desperate to restore his theatre to its former glory by producing a stellar singing competition. While Buster thinks the singing competition can save his theatre, a number of lively animals including a pig, gorilla, mouse and elephant, believe winning the competition is their ticket to a better life.
Anthropomorphic worlds where animals communicate like humans is a staple in animation. When directors use the setting properly it can have a profound impact, like Disney’s Zootopia, which was released to universal acclaim earlier this year for using animals to provide an insightful commentary on our society. However, director Jennings does not seem to use the anthropomorphic setting to the story’s advantage in Sing. The world he has created pales in comparison to the inspiring metropolis seen in Zootopia.
Despite this setback, one of Sing’s strong points is the cast of engaging characters. From Reese Witherspoon’s domestic pig, Rosita – who gave up her dreams of singing to become a devoted wife and mother, to Tori Kelly’s Meena – an elephant with an incredible voice that suffers from severe stage fright and finally Taron Egerton as Johnny – a gorilla who has to hide his passion for singing from his criminal father who wants him to follow in his footsteps, the characters never seem to disappoint.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars lend their vocals in Sing and each gives an incredible vocal performance. McCounaughey is charismatic and vulnerable as the smooth talking Buster and Witherspoon radiates her maternal charm as Rosita. However, the real standouts are Scarlett Johansson, who is practically unrecognisable in the role of a teenaged punk rocker porcupine, and director Garth Jennings whose character Miss Jenkins (an elderly Iguana) delivers some of the film’s funniest moments and is undoubtedly one of Sing’s most memorable characters.
Much like Trolls, Sing features a number of covers of well-known songs from a hilarious rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and a toe-tapping performance of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”. But the real showstopper is Tori Kelly’s heart-stirring rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. Kelly’s soulful vocals combined with the bittersweet visuals make it one of Sing’s most memorable scenes.
While director Jennings may have fumbled with the narrative,e he definitely delivered with the choreography of the spectacular dance numbers and the stellar voice cast bring plenty of personality and star power to the film. In comparison to the high calibre of animated films this year, Sing may come across a little flat, but regardless the toe-tapping music, colourful animation and engaging characters will delight little ones but may leave older viewers yearning for something a little more on key.
Sing Opens in Cinemas on Boxing Day.
For your chance to WIN a SING Prize pack valued at $120 including a family pass, stationery kit, headphones, plush toy key ring and water bottle, email us at communications@perthcatholic.org.au with your full name, postal address and tell us in 25 words or less tell us what your favourite song to SING is?