morgenroet In the 20 second I saw the elephant, I knew she would be the winner because she looks so mainstream American to me.(In this movie) Pigs were Latin with many babies (well well well). Asian coons are language awkward people you don't know what they think and talk -- seems to me that you can assume and predict asian roles will be doomed in Hollywood movie (well well well). Elephants are African American but you know what, heros are always white and black.The movie was well-made but if you watch this closely, it is full of ethnic sterotype.

yjkinson Universal must have been desperate in 2016. Though the concept of a bunch of animals going through a similar process as many vulnerable people do - with the likes of the X-Factor, The Voice, or Britains Got Talent and all those other 'Reality' (notice the quotation marks there) shows that basically repeat the same thing every season - take a breather... it doesnt work in this film. The story is shallow. A bunch of animal characters, non who you are led to care for, audition for the false promise of $100,000 even though we were shown prior to this, that they all just sang because they enjoyed singing. Some get picked for the show others don't. No heart strings plucked for those animals who didn't get picked. No time to learn their names, well apart from a Giraffe whose name I've forgot already. Love the fact the soundtrack is just a bunch of songs everyone's heard already over the years and how non of the songs have any connection to the characters. It's just like Suicide Squad, the score is horrendously unrelated to the film. Anyways it's the same reason why big name actors were brought in to voice act on this film. It enticed many people to watch it. This is a film for children, but I find that insulting really, Toy Story is for children but that has story, characters you care for, great original score and some high name actors even back then in the 90's. It is obvious the film industry on a whole are only making movies to make money but it's just getting more and more desperate these days. There's barely any love or care in these sort of films anymore. And worst of all now that companies have tapped into the media they can promote the film through everything these days and have people believe it's a great film. Truth be told many out there believe it is. Maybe their children liked it. But many kids like just about anything like that. Doesn't mean it inspired them or taught them anything about life. Anyways I'm ranting now and not really reviewing this properly. A mediocre review for a mediocre films. Just a bunch of old material recycled in the never ending cycle of milking the cow until its bone dry.

donovanwyatt-50274 I can carry a tune; carefully with both hands... but that's about it. I'm like most people who've got an ear for music but no talent for the singing; more than slightly obsessed with animated singing cartoons. But you can't just go throwing some tunes on screen and expect me to be all in. I've got standards, blame Disney and Pixar, you must hit me somewhere good and give me a reason to add you to my wall of animated singing glory (yes, I have a shelf of movies that all require singing to happen - sooooo).Sing has a back story familiar in the animated movie world. Anthropomorphized animals living in a parallel world to the human world going through life struggles with theme songs and musical soliloquies. But it doesn't feel like it's already been ""done"" and the daily life and struggles in this town populated by animals provides a relatable background to pull you into the story without wasting opportunities for authentic and touching moments made more so by combining them with satirical hilarity and off-color humor - there a very good reason it's PG and not G.Buster Moon is a too slick for his own good theater owner who's living his life one step ahead of creditors and a final cut off notice from the electric company. Clinging to his dream has brought out the huckster in him. Buster voiced by Mathew McConaughey comes across more as unbelievably optimistic than shifty - trust me this character cuts it a little close to the ponzi-scheme runner edge. You've got the quirky (glass eye-having) ancient-as-all-get-out assistant who of course has our beleaguered theater owners back no matter how much things are falling apart or going awry. She makes a massive mistake (this is why copy editing is important before going to press, people) which becomes the secret waiting in the wings to drop the other shoe of disaster on Buster's head... or so you think.Each of the contestants have a mini-backstory that explains what brings them (or holds them back from) to the stage and there's something in each storyline to interest each movie go-er:You've got the rock chick Ash (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) playing second string to her boyfriend with delusions of rock greatness Lance (voiced by Beck Bennett).The talented stay-at-home mom Rosita (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) who put her career aspirations aside to marry and raise her (25) children and support her career-focused, completely tuned out husband, Norman (Nick Offerman).Smooth-talking street hustler and saxophonist Mike (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) looking to parlay his participation - an anticipation of winning the big prize - in the singing competition into cash that opens the doors to the life of status, luxury, and wealth he's intent on becoming accustom to.Street tough Johnny (voiced by Taron Egerton) son of ""smash and grab"" gang leader Big Daddy (voiced Peter Serafinowicz) he's living - reluctantly - with both feet in the underworld and his heads in the clouds where the music's calling his name.Then there's Meena (voiced by Tori Kelly) sweet and shy with a killer voice and a huge case of stage fright with a little social anxiety to even things out.They're all here for different reasons. They'll be at least one you can behind. The secondary characters and scenes add color and flavor like any good animated movie should. The music is an ode to some of the best (and worst) popular music as to offer. There's a good enough mixed bag of songs from past decades (it's a little like name that tune with the song snippets) to hit the spot for all age groups. Honestly some of the best irony and hilarity in the movie are the song match-ups to animal characters during the audition process. It's well drawn and nicely paced to keep you interested and entertained. The story has its sad moments - let's just say I have mad respect for what Buster's dad did to raise the money for him to buy the theater in the first place - coupled with ridiculousness to keep it from being bogged down in the maudlin.This movie isn't trying to make you dig for deep emotions or push you to make sweeping philosophical changes to your life view. But it's got some down to earth and simplistic lessons about being honest, asking for help, owning your mistakes, and not giving up.Sing is part love letter to the shrinking world of theater and live music venues and a call to arms for going after your dreams and seeing your success as possible long after everyone else has written you off. It's equal parts simple entertainment and commentary into how we relate to ourselves and each other.It's not the best I've ever seen but it certainly makes my list movies I'll watch to adjust my mood without putting me through the ringer.An animated movie sprinkled with musical moments about a down on his luck koala trying to save his dream by hosting a singing competition that in turn fuels the ambition of other dreamers...that's totally what we need for the Holiday viewing schedule. Right?Why yes, yes, it is.

CelluloidDog Simply outstanding(!) and far better than what professional critics and amateur reviewers say. It's really one the best animated films of the decade. If you don't want a musical but prefer superhero fighting, ok, it's not for you. But in terms of originality, laughter and songs, this is the best animated film. I've seen probably more films than most critics and seen the best, so trust me on this. I will go through some critics points which I don't think are valid.1. Originality and moral theme: Sing has multiple storylines and they move quickly so it's hard to focus on one moral line like the Lion King or Monsters, Inc. But each story has a terrific line which are not necessarily trite cliches. For one, Rosita is an overwork mother pig with a ridiculously large family. Frankly, I have never seen a story line like that since one of those movies from the 1960s or earlier (e.g, Yours, Mine and Ours). But it's a funny take on a multi-tasking mom who wants a life outside homemaking. Meena is the shy elephant who can sing but is afraid...I don't know any movies that carry that story line unless one means the reality shows where we find a Susan Boyle or two. I have not seen a Buster Moon dreamer in a movie in a long time. You could compare the storylines to one of those 70s movies on dancing but this is different. Ash fires quills when she sings, Buster acts as a carwash mop, Ms Crawly is always losing her glass eye. Tell me you have seen all that in other movies. I'm sorry critics. This is a very original film. And the storylines are terrific: overcoming fear, shyness, learning to stand on your own (from your boyfriend), learning not to just be an overworked mom, trying to face up to your dad, live up to your dad, dream. I could stop there, but I wonder what people missed?2. Humor: people seriously thought it wasn't that funny? Miss Crawly's glass eye? Buster Moon and the moon? Gunter dancing? Rosita in the supermarket? The baboon Mike attacks? Buster wakes up in...? It has far too many funny moments, almost nonstop especially with some characters.3. Songs: it's a unique film since Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlance, Tori Kelly join up with Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande...and the songs are terrific.Aside from that, the animation and direction were terrific, as good as any animated film. The characters, squids and the flood were exemplary in outstanding animation.Ok, the plot was relatively simple even with the running storylines. If you don't like to laugh, don't want to hear a great soundtrack and songs, and a fast-paced movie, then this isn't for you.