Sing!

Sing is a fun family film about wanting to take your shot. This movie is inspiring and motivating! I love hearing my kids watch this and singing along with the songs.

Each of the characters singing has some aspect of their life where they wish it had gone differently and they had had a chance to shine. Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) a koala who owns Moon Theatre, is beyond his last chance. He is throwing a Hail Mary on the off chance that this music contest will be the thing that puts his theatre on the map!

He ends up with quite the crowd for auditions after his aging secretary makes a small typo on the flyer making the $1000 cash prize read $100,000. Now Moon has to convince his friend, a Suffolk sheep named Eddie (John C. Reilly), and his family to finance one more of his shows to make up the difference in the prize money. Trying to make the show as over the top and worthy of that kind of backing as he can he accidentally causes an accident that causes his theater to collapse. No longer able to even pretend there is a way out he falls into a deep depression. While the contestants are willing to pick up and keep going Buster has lost his confidence, his dream, and his theatre.

Gunter (Nick Kroll) a pig who is confident. His talents may be moderate but his confidence makes everything work. He isn’t one of those talented people who thinks they are the star of the show, but he is willing to inspire and help everyone along the way.

Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) is a mother to 25 piglets. Her husband is just going through the motions while she drowns in dishes and laundry. Doing this contest helps her claim something for herself again.

Mike (Seth MacFarlane) is a mouse who lets his mouth run the show. While he has a decent voice and talent, he often feels he is the star of the show. He is just as likely to attack his audience as other contestants.

Ash (Scarlett Johansson) is a porcupine who started a band with her boyfriend but longs to sing and write her own things. The boyfriend believes he is the only one with talent but Ash is chosen for the contest. She decides to run with it in the hopes of winning the money and helping them hit the road together.

Johnny (Taron Egerton) a gorilla who sits on the fringes of the family business. His father wants him to take a more active role and Eddie keeps splitting his attention and hiding his talents.

Meena (Tori Kelly) is an elephant so shy it is painful. She has the voice of an angel that she is only able to share with her family. Meena shows up to try out for the contest and ends up being a stage hand, until she sings “Hallelujah” in the hollowed out remains of the theatre and Mr. Moon hears her voice and follows it back to his own dream. While this might feel predictable there is a comfort in seeing the fire rekindle in Moon’s eyes.

Everything that happens in the theatre on stage is bright and well lit. Everything that takes place at Rosita’s home, with Mike on the street, with Ash when she is with her boyfriend, or when Johnny is with his family is dimmer. Whether it is because street lights are the only lighting, or shady dealings are taking place, or piglets are trying to sleep, it gives the impression that while they are living their everyday lives, they are only a shadow of their true selves and when they are on the stage is when they are fully themselves.

This movie is a 5 out of 5 from me and my kids. They may not understand the fabulous message of don’t give up on your dreams, yet, but I know it is sinking deep into their souls. With every beat of every song this movie moves you forward to the life that you dream of living.