Awesome / Sing 2

Moments pages are Spoilers Off. You Have Been Warned.

Rosita conquering her fear of heights to pull off a spectacular rescue.

• The Illumination Logo Joke gives us a moment of awesome before the film even starts! It has Bob the minion leading a massive crowd of minions in song and delivering an epic performance!
• The opening "Alice in Wonderland" performance that's set to "Let's Go Crazy". It's a visually stunning musical number, and it's very apparent that Buster, his cast and his crew have all put a lot of thought into the props, the sets, the costume design, and the choreography.
  • While all of the theater animals are at the top of their game, Meena's part in the show is especially impressive, since she was the one who was deathly afraid of singing in front of a crowd in the previous film. Now that she's conquered her fears, she can enjoy her true calling in life to its fullest extent, and deliver a show-stopping performance with her friends every time Moon Theater brings a new production to life.
• When Buster goes to get Ash for the show, she's just finished a solo show and is getting paid when she notices something's wrong. What follows shows that she's not gonna take another putdown à la Lance:
  Ash: Hey, Rick, how come you're only paying me half what the other acts get?!
  Rick: I pay what I think you're worth, sweetheart.
  Ash: Okay, see, I have this rule about not letting guys like you tell me what I'm worth. So, you know, unless I get paid like everyone else, I'm outta here!
  Rick: (mocking laughter) This is the only club in town! Where else are you gonna play?
  Ash: I have no idea, but I'm sure as heck not sticking around here! (to Buster) Let's go!
  (Ash and Buster get her stuff and leave)
  Rick: No, no, wait a minute! But you've gotta do the encore! Hey! Ash!
  Ash: Deal with it, sweetheart!
• When her friends let their insecurities start to get the better of them and are about to let their bus to Redshore City leave without them, Rosita actually runs out in front of the bus and forces it to stop in its tracks, so she can buy herself some more time to talk some sense into them. It's an incredibly dangerous stunt on her part, but it takes a whole lot of guts to do, and it really shows just how committed she is to seeing this road trip plan through to its completion.
• The reveal of Redshore City. Considering the fact that it greatly resembles Las Vegas in mind, the amount of effort on the animators to make it so breathtaking clearly paid off.
  • Special mention goes to the Scenery Porn of Crystal Hotel's various interiors, especially the Crystal Theater's stunning backdrops.
• The roller-skating flamingoes act at the end of the audition sequence is legitimately spectacular. Which makes Jimmy Crystal look that much more of a Jerkass when he rejects it just like the other acts (although it takes him a little longer than usual).
  • The group performing "Abracadabra" is also pretty good. They have an appropriate magic-themed show to accompany the song: one singer enters a box, then his singing partner tosses some dynamite inside, and another singer appears, standing in the rubble of the box when the smoke clears. As an extra touch, it's the one performance Jerry visibly enjoys and is disappointed Crystal rejects.
• As the theater animals serenade Mr. Crystal with their own rendition of "Where The Streets Have No Name", their musical pitch is backed up by a truly beautiful fantasy sequence where the entire cast starts to float through the vastness of space, promising him a show that will take the audience 'out of this world'.
• The "Out Of This World" show is Gunter's brainchild: he's the one who comes up with the original idea for it, he works closely with Buster to plan out every stage of it throughout the movie, and he even has to make the final call on how the show will actually wrap up, when Buster leaves with Ash to go talk to Clay Calloway halfway through production. Gunter is often the silliest member of the Moon Theater troupe, but this film really solidifies that he's a guy with a lot of creative vision who understands the world of show business well.
• An understated one for Steve, one of the production crew members. We only get a brief shot of him looking comically exhuasted, as he managed to design an elaborate concept diorama for "Out of This World" overnight. Buster makes sure he gets credit for his work.
• Clay Calloway is stated to have been hidden from the public eye for around twenty years, with even his most die-hard fans having no idea where he went to. Ms. Crawly figures out his location in what is implied to be the duration of an afternoon.
• After Crystal rudely insults Rosita offset (a small detail within the scene even includes Jerry grinning and nodding in agreement with Crystal's words), Norman is very quick to be offended by this remark, and it's very satisfying to see him try to defend his wife:
  Jimmy: Hey Moon, do you really think the mommy pig's gonna pull this off?
  Norman: Mommy Pig?!
• How deftly and smoothly Porsha soars through the air on wires while she's singing "Girl On Fire", even though she's never attempted such a thing before. Porsha is a terrible, terrible actress (which quickly becomes a problem when she decides to take Rosita's part in the show for herself), but this scene is the first indicator that she does have her share of talents in other areas and some untapped potential as a would-be performer.
• Nooshy's introductory scene, where she riles up a sizable crowd on the street and pulls off some pretty sweet breakdancing moves to dazzle them. It's very apparent that Nooshy has been doing impromptu performances like this one for quite some time, and has become a true professional at her craft.
• Johnny decides to prove his credentials as a singer to Nooshy by belting out a completely unplanned cover of "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" to her, in the middle of a crowded diner. Everyone is confused by this at first, but he quickly wins over not only Nooshy but all of the other patrons, who start cheering him on and are completely enraptured by his voice.
• Although it doubles as a funny moment, Nooshy snarking at Klaus can be seen as this, especially considering how strict and abusive he was towards Johnny and the fact that the two had just met. For some, it's downright satisfying seeing her stand up for Johnny.
• A low-key one for Miss Crawly. For being a bit scatter-brained at times, Miss Crawly having the cojones to use Tough Love on Porsha. For Porsha, she usually takes orders from Buster (who caters to her because he fears her father's wrath). But with Miss Crawly, there's no sugar-coating what she has to do, and Porsha's confusion at taking orders from her indicates the two are like night and day. If one didn't know better, one might say Miss Crawly played a part in Porsha's character arc where she learns the world doesn't revolve around her.
  Ms. Crawly: You're two hours late for rehershal!
  Porsha: Wait? Where's the koala? Who are you??
  Ms. Crawly: I'm in charge, that's who! Now get your tail into wardrobe, sweetheart!
• The fact that Nooshy is able to help Johnny transform from being a clumsy novice to a spectacular street dancer within just a few days (as she teaches him how to feel the flow of the music during their dance montage) is a very impressive achievement for both of them.
• Despite having only known the rest of the Moon Troupe for a day or two and not even knowing Crystal, Nooshy actually looks to be genuinely pissed when she sees the TV show interview clip of Crystal insulting Moon and his whole gang by calling them talentless losers.
• The situation has left the Moon Troupe devasted and getting ready to run out of Redshore and hide from Crystal. However, after a pep talk from Clay (who knows firsthand how little hiding away fixes things), Buster vows on the spot to show up Crystal (the guy who just threatened to kill him) and have the group perform in his hotel against his will. He then also quickly devises the gang's ballsy escape plan when Crystal's goons arrive.
  • The fact that, while the Moon Troupe performers are doubtful and anxious, Nooshy and Clay, who barely even know Buster and are barely even involved with Jimmy's hit on the group, are all for it.
  Buster: We're gonna put on this show whether Crystal likes it or not! But first.... we're gonna jump out that window.
  The others: WHAT?!?
  Clay: (amused) I'm beginning to like this guy.
• After giving Rosita back the lead role, Buster asks that Ms. Crawly finds them a new performer to play the Joy alien. Ms. Crawly trespasses into the premises of Crystal himself to rehire Porsha.
  Ms. Crawly: RISE AND SHINE, SWEETHEART!
• How Buster and the rest of the group then proceed to hijack Crystal's hotel to put on their show. Rosita summons Norman to "Release the piglets", leaving the hotel's security at the mercy of her rambunctious kids. Buster then takes over the hotel monitors to advertise their performance. Just for an extra insult to Crystal, he adds the show is free of charge, meaning Crystal won't get any profit from their work.
  • As an extra detail, the entire hotel rushes to the theatre in droves, though it's not the mention of the show being free that allures them, but the note beforehand that Clay Calloway is starring in it, as a reminder of just how revered the musician is.
• Like last time, the entirety of the big final performance has some major moments:
  • Johnny performing "A Sky Full of Stars" and then engaging in a dance battle with Klaus, which eventually forces him to go off-script. Just when it looks like Klaus has Johnny down for the count, Nooshy plays some drumbeats to get Johnny back on his feet, and not only does he take Klaus down, but he gets the arrogant teacher to kneel to him (as a sign of respect) and accept that he really has become great. As a result, the ending shows that Klaus and Johnny have made peace with each other, as Klaus continues to work with the Moon Theater troupe on their show.
    • Johnny getting his second wind also shows that he's his father's son (the same man who tore off a prison wall with his bare hands), as he decimates Klaus for assaulting him earlier and turns the lyrics of the song into a Battle Cry.
    • The other dancers on the Planet of War joining Nooshy's drumline to rally Johnny, siding with their peer over their instructor, is very satisfying. While Johnny got the worst of Klaus' attitude problem, he mistreats his other students as well throughout the film - including Ryan the tiger, who just got robbed of his part in the show because of Klaus' jealousy. The other dancers are clearly more than ready to see Klaus learn some humility for once.
    • Credit where credit is due, it was pretty impressive for Klaus to push back against Johnny. He might have taught the dancers, but he never rehearsed for the role, and he nails it on the first try. Klaus might not be a very nice person, but there's no denying that he has skills.
    • Ever since Suki Lane dismissed the Moon Theater troupe's show back in Calatonia, Johnny has quietly worried throughout the film that he's not good enough to make it in a place like Redshore City: a legendary city that's filled with talented singers and dancers who all have way more experience and professional training than he does. His repeated failures in Klaus's class, and the proboscis monkey's constant attacks on his self-esteem, have only made his fears worse over time. After he taps into his inner strength and triumphs over Klaus during their duel, Johnny not only proves his former dance instructor wrong about him, but he also proves something to himself - that he is good enough to make it in the big leagues, and he has just as much of a right to be there as anyone else. As a result, he finally puts his fears to rest for good.
  • Porsha accepting the alien role and performing "Could Have Been Me." Not only does she give an awesome performance, but when Jimmy shows up and tries to demand she get off the stage, Porsha instead taunts him while continuing with the performance. After seeing how Jimmy's cruelty extended to his own daughter, seeing Porsha stand up to him and declare she's not going to let him control her anymore is very cathartic and solidifies Porsha's Character Development arc.
    • The taunting deserves special mention. When Jimmy shows up, Porsha never stops the act or breaks character. She simply saunters over to her dad, gets in his face, and uses the perfectly-timed lyric "I don't hear you!" to mock him, before walking back to center stage.
    • Moreover, the headlight tailing her followed her to Jimmy. Meaning that everybody watching her could have spotted her doing it to her father. It adds extra "oomph" to the silent "F-You, Dad," that she is giving Jimmy for his treatment of her and the Moon Troupe.
    • What makes Porsha's performance particularly impressive is that, unlike most of the other acts, it was almost completely improvised. Porsha and Rosita switched parts again at the very last minute, giving her a completely different routine to pull off, and the role of the green alien in the show was reworked considerably for her. Plus, Buster also recruited a whole crew of night cleaners to be her back-up dancers at the last minute as well. Somehow, even with very little time to prepare, Porsha and the tarsiers still killed it onstage.
    • When a livid Crystal gets set to go after Porsha, Buster sneaks up right behind him and activates a trap door to keep him detained for the remainder of the act.
    Buster: Ms. Crawly put some cushions and snacks down there, so you should be comfortable until the show's over.
    Crystal: (furious) You little....
    (Buster closes the trap door, right in his face.)
  • Early on, while the Moon Theater troupe are planning to take over Jimmy's hotel, Porsha warns them that her father will be sending his men after them soon to kill them. Johnny decides to give them all a fighting chance by giving his own father and the rest of his gorilla clan a call. Once they learn Johnny is in danger, Johnny's dad and his gang come to the theater animals' aid without a second thought, racing to Redshore City in hours. And once Jimmy arrives on the scene, they eagerly step up to fight off his goons. Marcus, Stan and Barry proceed to take on Mr. Crystal's entire security team by themselves and win.
    • A small one on Jimmy's part as well. While he's shocked all his hotel's security is detained, he was still Crazy-Prepared enough to bring a huge fleet of his own goons. While they obviously don't get a very strong display against Marcus' gang, they do their job of keeping them occupied while Jimmy and later Jerry easily barge into the theater to confront Buster.
  • After spending the entire movie struggling to pull off a believably romantic duet with the rather self-involved Darius, Meena imagines him as the boy she actually loves, Alfonso the ice cream vendor, and we get an Imagine Spot of the two elephants singing a beautiful rendition of "I Say A Little Prayer".
  • Buster's response to Jimmy's second attempt to murder him, when the mad wolf manages to ambush him backstage. Last time, he was completely panicking. This time, though still clearly terrified, he defiantly lets him know that he's already lost:
  Jimmy: I've got you now, you low-life little loser!
  Buster: No sir. I'm not a loser. We did what we came here to do. And there's nothing you can do or say to change that.
  • Jimmy's response is a chilling villainous one, defining him as one of Illumination's most threatening and unfettered bad guys:
  Jimmy: (evil chuckle) Oh, I can do whatever I want... (drops Buster)
  • For much of the movie, Rosita is plagued by a fear of heights that threatens to keep her from performing her leading role in the show. She finally manages to overcome her psychological block when she sees Jimmy try to drop Buster off the side of a catwalk to his death. She takes a huge leap to save his life without even thinking about it, and once she's sure he's safe, she resumes her song, "Break Free", like a true professional. She never breaks character and she pulls off her moves on the wires with Gunter masterfully now that her fear is no longer holding her back, blowing away her friends, her family and the audience.
  • Ash's performance of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", which Clay joins in moments later to the roaring cheers of the crowd. This moment is made all the more powerful because Clay is returning to the world of show business for the first time in fifteen years, and making the decision to no longer let grief hold him back from living his life, with some encouragement from both Ash and the spirit of his late wife.
• After his second murder attempt on Buster fails, Jimmy is discovered by Marcus and violently dragged away from the other animals. When the theater troupe decides to take a bow onstage, Buster shoots Jimmy a smug little grin at the sight of him being manhandled. Without saying a word, he makes it quite clear that he's the winner here and Crystal's the loser, and there's nothing the vengeful wolf can do about it now except thrash about impotently.
  • It's an understated awesome moment for Marcus, given his character arc in the first film. His first call of action upon catching Jimmy is not to attack him, but to firmly and without a word drag him down to the stage and force him to watch the cast (including his own daughter) get a standing ovation, before letting him go to eagerly applaud Johnny. He's not just punishing Jimmy by making him watch Buster bask in the limelight, but also guilt-tripping him for choosing the thug life over supporting his own child.
• At the end of the day, Jimmy actually tries to take all the credit for Buster and his performers' hard work and even lies to the entire audience about Clay being his "good friend". But because he tried to murder Buster Moon onstage, in front of thousands of people, he instead gets his just desserts when he's immediately arrested, hauled off to prison, and his reputation is thoroughly destroyed.
  • And just before he's arrested, the cast manage to make his worst fears come true simply by walking off the stage while he's making his speech, resulting in the whole theater laughing at him.
  • The very act is one big symbolic gesture that Jimmy's the low-life loser, not Buster. Unlike Buster, Jimmy has no friends or allies, and as of tonight, no daughter either. Buster on the other hand, he has a family made up of the Moon Troupe, gained Porsha's respect and earned the alliance of rockstar legend Clay Calloway. Walking off that stage was one big The-Reason-You-Suck speech to how little Jimmy has in the end. To cap it all off, it's also satisfying seeing his frightened face when he looks back to find a furious Suki and a group of clearly unhappy cops standing behind him. It's the first but brief time Jimmy is frightened since he now knows that he is officially seen by the whole audience as an attempted murderer and now him and his career are done for.
  • Instead of sticking around to try to outshine Jimmy or justify himself, Buster and the Moon Troupe simply leave without looking back (a small detail even has Buster’s bow tie still lying on the stage floor from his second attempted murder of him), all the more wounding Jimmy's pride than if they stayed. Looks like Buster proved his merit: he's not a loser if he has the self-confidence to leave Jimmy in the dust.
• As Jimmy gradually starts to reveal how much of a monster he is in the latter half of the film, Suki grows fed up with him and starts to defy her boss. First, she goes against him indirectly by setting Buster free behind his back, so he can escape Crystal's clutches. Then, she stands up to him directly by stopping him from attacking the koala again after Rosita saves Buster's life. When Crystal attempts to take the lift back down to chase after Buster, it goes down without him before he can reach it; looking down, he sees Suki standing next to the lift controls, looking him straight in the eyes with a defiant glare. After the show, Suki changes sides completely by having Jimmy arrested by the police, and it is very satisfying to watch.
• Once the word of mouth spreads around Redshore City, "Out Of This World" becomes popular enough to be considered a Broadway-level show! Which means all of heroes' hard work and creativity (especially Buster and Gunter's) did indeed pay off handsomely in the end.

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