Film Review: Sing

Musical comedy Sing takes on that well-known product of the TV talent show to create a suitably entertaining animated feature. Although the film is perfectly watchable, it is not particularly memorable.

Buster Moon is a theatre impresario struggling to stay afloat. He decides to stage a singing contest, hoping that the popularity will be sufficient to restore the theatre. But there is just the small matter of the prize fund…

Directed by Christophe Lourdelet and Garth Jennings (from Jennings’ script), Sing offers viewers a world populated by anthropomorphic animals and the recognisable device of a talent show. This functions to introduce a host of diverse characters who compete in the show.

Protagonist Buster Moon is fleshed out sufficiently. The central premise of saving the theatre offers the character the opportunity to show drive, and some questionable tactics. The deception is forgivable, as most viewers can get behind Buster’s cause. However, the other characters have less depth. The film gives some backstory to the main competitors, however these are fairly formulaic. Johnny’s struggle between pursuing his dream and doing what his father wants is played out in a very predictable fashion.

There are some funny moments in the film, which often derive from the smaller supporting characters. Sing moves at a suitable pace, and feels the right duration for the type of film it is. Conclusions are reached for all of the film’s narrative strands, and these are predictable in their outcomes. Music in the film is used to good effect, with a soundtrack filled with popular songs. Matthew McConaughey is well cast as the voice of Buster, and Scarlett Johansson shows off her singing chops as Ash.

The main problem with Sing is that it fails to do anything to distinguish itself from other features of its ilk. Compared to recent animated features like Zootropolis and Kubo and the Two Strings, this film is easily forgettable.

2016 Hollywood Trends

2016 has been a remarkable year in current affairs, and a sad one for the untimely deaths of so many beloved celebrities. But let us turn our attention to something more comforting – film. As the year draws to a close, it’s time to review the 2016 Hollywood trends. Rather than a countdown of the best films, this article looks at the key trends in mainstream cinema of the year. It has been a year that harks back to Golden Age-Hollywood, whilst superheroes met head to head. Disney have dominated once again, whilst the Summer was lacklustre blockbuster season…

2016 Hollywood Trends: Superheroes Assemble

Although big superheroes appearing together in the same film is not a new phenomenon (2012’s Avengers Assemble and even 2014’s The LEGO Movie attest to this), in 2016 it became a noticeable trend. whilst February’s Deadpool only featured lesser-known X-Men with the title character, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice brought together three of DC’s biggest heroes in one film (paving the way for 2017’s Justice League). Released in  April, Captain America: Civil War functioned like ‘Avengers 3’ with the inclusion of Iron Man, Ant-Man and other secondary Avengers. Pivotally, the film boasted the addition of Spider-Man (who had previously appeared only in Sony films). In August, the hotly-anticipated Suicide Squad hit the big screen. The film featured many of Batman’s nemeses together, including the Joker, and Harley Quinn in her first live-action film appearance.

2016 Hollywood Trends: Golden-Age Revival

2016 has been the year for Golden-Age Hollywood nostalgia. The Coen Brother’s comedy Hail, Caesar! focussed on the day in the life of a studio fixer in 1950s Hollywood. As well as all the backstage activity Mannix has to keep under wraps, the film features some great musical sequences harking back to classic Hollywood features. Albeit, with tongue firmly in cheek. Woody Allen’s Café Society focuses on the assistant to a Hollywood producer working in the 1930s. With the action taking place between Hollywood and New York, the film offers wonderful costumes and a salubrious soundtrack. Although it is set in contemporary Los Angeles, La La Land (opening at UK cinemas on 12th January 2017) is brimming with Golden Age nostalgia. The opening sequence, and indeed others later in the musical, are reminiscent of the best technicolor musicals of the 1950s. Continuing this trend, Warren Beatty’s 1950s Hollywood-set Rules Don’t Apply arrives on UK screens in March 2017.

2016 Hollywood Trends: Disney Dominance

Disney sitting on top of worldwide box office grosses is not a surprise considering the properties the company owns (Marvel, Pixar, LucasFilm). In 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was crowned box office champ, pulling in almost $400 million more than nearest competitor Jurassic World. Nevertheless, this year Disney have completely dominated worldwide box office grosses, with four films (Captain America: Civil War, Finding Dory, Zootropolis, and The Jungle Book) each grossing more than any other studio’s production. And this is while Rogue One: A Star Wars Story currently rides high at the box office across the world.

2016 Hollywood Trends: Starring Michael Shannon

It may not be immediately obvious when looking back at 2016 films, but Michael Shannon has appeared in a plethora of films this year. The actor has no fewer than ten credits for 2016. These range from leading roles in films such as Midnight Special and Frank & Lola, to a supporting role in Loving (released in UK cinemas on 3rd February 2017), and even in a brief flashback in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Shannon delivered a scene-stealing performance in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals, released in November. Expect to see more of Shannon next year, with Wener Herzog’s Salt and Fire, among others.

2016 Hollywood Trends: Lacklustre Summer Blockbusters

There were plenty of Summer blockbusters in 2016 (as has been the case for years), but this year’s tentpoles seemed to lack something. July’s The Legend of Tarzan may have delivered somewhat decent worldwide box office grosses, but reviews were less than sparkling. Ghostbusters‘ domestic gross did not get near its reported production budget, and Independence Day: Resurgence received poor reviews. Meanwhile, Star Trek Beyond, Jason Bourne, and Suicide Squad failed to make the impacted expected at the box office. At the tale-end of the Summer, sword and sandals epic Ben-Hur flopped at the box office. If 2016 is anything to go by, 2017’s Summer blockbusters will need to beat family animation and Spring superhero films to take the crown.

Film Review: Zootropolis

Disney’s latest Zootropolis is an incredibly enjoyable animation. The film blends mystery with adventure for a most entertaining ride.

Bunny Judy Hopps has always aspired to be a police officer. When she graduates from the academy, Judy starts her dream job on the Zootropolis police force. Initially disheartened by her first assignment, Judy must work with a con artist fox to get to the bottom of a case…

Disney alums Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush direct Zootropolis. The film is a typical Disney picture in many ways, with its blend of comedy and adventure, its unlikely friendships, and its messaging. What makes the film so entertaining is how well the directors manage to execute these different facets.

The narrative of Zootropolis is engaging throughout. The film functions on a number of levels. Firstly, it is the story of a determined bunny who must overcome obstacles in order to achieve her goals. Secondly, it is the story of an unlikely friendship which requires characters to let go of their prejudices. Finally, and most interestingly, the film features a mystery – the case that Judy works on – that runs through most of the film. Although a few aspects are a little predictable, this mystery functions successfully to hold the audience’s attention.

Humour in Zootropolis works very well. There are several humorous sequences, as well as references to appeal to older viewers. The premise of the film is just as appealing; the imaginative city is filled with wonderful sights and events. The message of the film is abundantly clear. Like a fairy tale, allegory is used to send a clear message about acceptance and the harm of stereotyping.

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are well cast as the voices of Judy and Nick. Idris Elba does a decent job, and Shakira’s song has a good message, even if it is dripping with schmaltz.

Zootropolis should delight children, as well as enchanting older viewers. Highly recommended viewing.

Previews: Pete’s Dragon Trailer, The Witch and more!

Lots to see in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including the new Pete’s Dragon trailer, a featurette on The Witch, and more…

Pete’s Dragon Trailer

Here is the new Pete’s Dragon trailer. The film is a remake of the 1977 live action-animation adventure. Starring Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film is an interesting next feature from Ain’t Them Bodies Saints helmer David Lowery. Pete’s Dragon hits UK cinemas on 12th August 2016.

The Witch Featurette

The Witch looks like a genuinely unsettling film. In this featurette, writer-director Robert Eggers speaks about creating a New England horror story. Viewers will be familiar with the setting from films such as The Crucible; it will be interesting to see what Eggers does with this. The Witch is released on UK screens on 11th March 2016.

The Hunstman: Winter’s War Poster

It appears that Snow White and the Huntsman prequel The Hunstman: Winter’s War will have the same visual flair. The film sees the return of Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth, who are joined by Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain. The Huntsman: Winter’s War is out in UK cinemas on 4th April 2016.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Trailer

This is the final trailer for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated film sees the return of the Man of Steel cast, plus a host of other DC characters. Ben Affleck is this incarnation’s Batman; it will be interesting to see how he fairs against previous portrayals of the iconic character. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice hits UK screens on 25th March 2016.

Zootropolis Trailer

Well this looks enchanting. Zootropolis is the latest animated feature from Disney. The film is about a police officer bunny who teams up with a scam artist fox to solve a case. If this isn’t enough to convince you (which, frankly, it should be), the film features the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and Idris Elba. Zootropolis releases in UK cinemas on 25th March 2016.