There seems to be two kinds of American animated films out there–the ones that go for timelessness, and the ones that go for the modern pop culture jokes. The former are films like INSIDE OUT and FROZEN, where they ground the films in their own worlds. The latter are films like, say, SHREK 2. As you can tell from SHREK 2, there is a way to perform those types of films correctly, though it is definitely a bit harder than when you steer far away from those pop culture in-jokes.

Illumination Entertainment has thus far done a pretty good job steering clear of such in-jokes in their films so far. Sure, there’s a reference here and there, but on the whole, their films are relatively in-world. They appear to be changing that up for their next film SING. But will they manage to go for the latter type of film while still being a quality film?

Check out the trailer for the film below. 

While I do personally have my reservations over having an animated film with such a capacity to poke fun at our pop culture–as it makes for cheap jokes–I must say, I do like the overall idea of following five separate animals in their journey to win this competition. It’s a premise that has the promise of a heartfelt emotional core. Let’s hope Illumination takes advantage of that so that this doesn’t just become a series of jokes.

Check out the Press Release below:

“Illumination has captivated audiences all over the world with the beloved hits DESPICABLE ME, DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX, DESPICABLE ME 2 and MINIONS, now the second-highest-grossing animated movie in history.  Following the release of THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS in summer 2016, Illumination presents SING at the holidays.  Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly star in a musical comedy about finding the shining star that lives inside all of us.
 
Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (Academy Award® winner Matthew McConaughey), a dapper Koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times.  Buster is an eternal optimist—okay, maybe a bit of a scoundrel—who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it.  Now facing the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition. 
 
Five lead contestants emerge: A mouse (Seth MacFarlane) who croons as smoothly as he cons, a timid teenage elephant (Tori Kelly) with an enormous case of stage fright, an overtaxed mother (Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon) run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets, a young gangster gorilla (Taron Egerton) looking to break free of his family’s felonies, and a punk-rock porcupine (Scarlett Johansson) struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.  Each animal arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life.
 
Featuring more than 85 hit songs, SING is written and directed by Garth Jennings (SON OF RAMBOW, THE HITCHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY) and produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy.  Released by Universal Pictures, Sing arrives in theaters for the holiday season on December 21, 2016.”

What are your thoughts on the first trailer for SING? Let us know in the comments down below!

SOURCE: Illumination Entertainment