In the new film Sing, we meet Buster Moon (voice of Matthew McConaughey), a theater-owning koala who is a bit down on his luck. After his latest production fails, putting the theater at risk, he comes up with a great idea: to present a singing competition with a prize of $1,000. But when Buster’s secretary adds a couple of zeroes to the prize money by mistake, the floodgates open and Buster has a big production on his plate — with practically no prize money for the winner.
Every animal in town with a dream shows up to audition for the big prize. The housewife, the criminal and even the shy girl next door are ready to sing for their fame and fortune. And as the auditions make abundantly clear, all types of singers in town have shown up to be a part of the madness.
Some of the standouts include a crooning mouse named Mike (Seth MacFarlane), overtaxed mother Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), gangster gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton) and a punk-rock porcupine named Ash (Scarlett Johansson). Each of them longs for a moment in the spotlight, and they all wow Buster and make their case to be in his show.
A timid teenage elephant named Meena (Tori Kelly) cannot get through her audition thanks to stage fright, but after some pushing from her family to try for another audition, she winds up joining the production as Buster’s assistant. Could it be that Meena’s majestic voice not only saves the show but saves Buster as well?
This film is a joy to watch when the animals are working through their individual numbers. The auditions, with a variety of songs and styles, are reminiscent of the most fun American Idol auditions through the years. The voice talent was really well cast. Their singing ability was spot-on, and each character’s individual personality really shone through the madness.
Sing is available On Demand beginning March 21. Check your cable system for availability.
