SING 2

'Sing 2' is the same as the original. There are no obstacles, and everything is handed to these characters, not earned. Like the first, they want to put on this show, they put on the show, the end. It's just 90 minutes of pop song padding. And with the music choices, they date this film even more, with Shawn Mendes' 'There's Nothing Holding Me Back' (2017), The Weeknd's 'Can't Feel My Face' (2015), Billie Eilish's 'Bad Guy' (2019), Coldplay's 'A Sky Full of Stars' (2014), Ariana Grande's 'Break Free' (2014) and Alicia Keys' 'Girl on Fire' (2012) - just some of the songs on the soundtrack that instantly age the film. In 2016, many of these songs were "old", but by 2021 standards they are overplayed. The film does have a handful of more nostalgic songs from artists like Elton John, but it's not balanced enough, with too many 2010s pop hits for this to be an all-age appealing jukebox musical.

Yet again, the studio is relying on the huge names - and this time they have Bono as the huge selling point. Which also leads perfectly into my next point: the marketing for this film is just the third act. There is nothing that wasn't shown from the film's climax, including the poster. I don't care that 'Sing 2' was spoiled in the trailer, but it just shows how little they care, making it clear this is a cash grab film, with big names singing songs as silly animals. I get the appeal, but it's not for me.

'Sing 2' is an inoffensive sequel. It didn't anger me, it simply exists. It doesn't pander to its audience, but it's little more than celebrities doing pop covers to mediocre animation. For better or worse, you can take the family this holiday season, and if your kids like the singing animals, there's no harm in that.