Dec 22, 2021

Review summary of "Sing2": The song eclipses the story in a smooth, frenetic sequel

Illumination's first film in two and a half years, and the last major animated release of 2021, has landed - just as Omicron threatens a new round of box-office chaos.

Sing 2 is the studio's tardy follow-up to 2016 hit Sing, and it picks up where that film left off: with koala Buster Moon running a successful theater. But he and his troupe of singing animals still have much to prove, so they move to big-time Redshore City and plan a show involving reclusive rock-star lion Clay Calloway, who's by voiced by that great icon of 2021 youth culture: U2's Bono.

Like the original, Sing 2 stakes much of its appeal on its voice cast, which includes returning actors Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, and Tori Kelly. Among the newcomers are Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric Andre, and Chelsea Peretti. Garth Jennings returns to write and direct, with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy producing. The film is released by Universal.

Sing 2 hasn't scored rave reviews, but nor has it been slated. Most critics find things to enjoy in the film, whose Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at 67% at the time of writing. Yesterday, it was nominated for best feature at the Annie Awards.

Here's what the reviewers are saying:

Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times was entertained:

The Associated Press's Jake Coyle is more measured in his praise:

Peter Debruge agrees that story is sidelined, writing in Variety:

Awarding the film two stars out of four in The Washington Post, Kristen Page-Kirby comments on the visual production:

Indiewire's Fiona Underhill has little good to say about the film, awarding it a D grade: