Sing
Director: Garth Jennings
Screenwriter: Garth Jennings
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Tori Kelly, Taron Egerton, Nick Kroll
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rated PG | 110 minutes
Release Date: December 21, 2016

Sometimes what looks good can end up being just slightly disappointing. In this case, Illumination’s Sing gives a very earnest effort through its well-intentioned story and an excellent collection of songs that spans generations and genres, but falls very short of being great through its lack of a narrative and inability to juggle the many subplots. Backed by a great ensemble of actors and singers, director Garth Jenning‘s animated film has all the makings of an Illumination Entertainment film, but fails to execute a great concept.

In Illumination’s latest film, Sing, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) is holding a singing competition in his dying theater in a last ditch effort to scrounge up the money needed before the bank can repossess his beloved property. The optimistic koala settles on five contestants: a mouse (Seth MacFarlane), a timid elephant (Tori Kelly), a pig (Reese Witherspoon), a gorilla (Taron Egerton), and a punk-rock porcupine (Scarlett Johansson), in hopes that they can generate the funds necessary to keep the theater afloat but also bring back interest in genuine talent. Little does he know that the road to success isn’t easy, but with a little hard work and some faith, it can be done.

We had a phone interview with the film’s director Garth Jennings (A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Son of Rambow) to talk about what it was like to get clearance for the songs, working on his first animated film, his reaction to all the positive buzz, and much more. Check it out below.

Universal has released the final trailer for Illumination Entertainment’s Sing.

From the writer/director Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, the film is the sixth animation feature from the studio and features the voice talents of Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, alongside Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, and Grammy Award-nominated Tori Kelly. Check out the new trailer below.

Back in February we saw a teaser trailer for Sing, the latest animated feature from Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind Despicable Me and its sequel, the spinoff Minions, and upcoming release The Secret Life of Pets.

Now Illumination has released the full official trailer for the movie, which follows animals getting the chance to show off their singing talents in a competition similar to the ones humans are very familiar with.

You can read more about the movie and watch the new trailer below.

Singing competitions are where amateurs and aspiring singers go in hopes of achieving their dreams. Many of us have seen how it all plays out on shows like The Voice or American Idol. But what about the animals? They can sing too, right? Well in a new trailer released by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, Sing answers that question using more than 85 hit songs and an all-star voice cast.

The animated film will see animals of all species auditioning in a singing competition, in hopes of winning a once in a lifetime record deal.

Check out the trailer below.