Did You Know?
Trivia:
The first film to be directed by Garth Jennings in nearly ten years following Son of Rambow (2007). This film also represents first foray into animated filmmaking.
The fifth animated feature film of 2016, next to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), The Angry Birds Movie (2016), Finding Dory (2016), and Zootopia (2016), to be set in a world of anthropomorphic animals.
The film features over 85 hit songs from the 1940s to the present day.
The movie is dedicated in the credits to Igor. Igor Khait was an Animation Producer in the movie who died (at 52 from pancreatic cancer) during production.
The song the five Japanese Red Pandas perform is "Kira Kira Killer" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
When Ash's guitar is unplugged and she starts stomping the beat on the stage - Porcupines actually do stomp their feet as a warning when they are scared.
Songs associated with three different artists who died in 2016 are on the movie's soundtrack. "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (George Michael), "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen), and "Under Pressure" (David Bowie).
When Ash plays the final chord on her guitar during the concert, her body position and the audience reaction resembles that of Marty McFly playing Johnny B. Goode in Back to the Future.
A sneak peek of the teaser trailer was released on February 11, 2016, featuring animals singing certain popular songs: 1.) A pig singing (and dancing to) 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga. 2.) A buffalo singing 'Butterfly' by Crazy Town. 3.) A sheep singing 'Kiss from a Rose' by Seal. 4.) A trio of rabbits singing 'Baby's Got Back' by SirMixALot. 5.) A snail singing 'Ride Like the Wind' by Christopher Cross. 6.) The pig that tripped was starting to sing 'Venus' by Bananarama.
The second film in 2016 to feature Scarlett Johansson in a voice-over role, following The Jungle Book (2016).
This is Reese Witherspoon's first animated movie since Monsters vs. Aliens (2009).
Mike's contribution during the final show is "My Way", a song originally and famously performed by Frank Sinatra. In real life, Seth MacFarlane is well known for his renditions of Sinatra's songs, impersonating his singing voice.
There are at least two references to Back to the Future (1985) When Ash does her guitar solo and the music stops and everyone is staring at her silently, it's similar to Marty doing the solo at the dance in Back to the Future. Also When Buster Moon is trying to steal power from the neighboring building, he is walking outside on the ledge with an extension cord. This scene is similar to Doc Brown trying to connect the cable in Back to the Future. Moon's cable is too short and the ledge breaks out from under his feet
Goofs:
Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot shoot their quills from their bodies. Quills are released by contact, or may fall out when a porcupine shakes its body. But, when Ash shakes during her performances and her quills fly out at a considerable distance, this is just for comedic effect.
Ash's guitar has fret inlays on the 4th, 6th, 8th and 13th frets. Normal positions for inlays are on the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 12th frets. The inlays don't affect the playability of the guitar, but they serve as visual guides for key positions on the fret board and can confuse a player who relies on them.
Quotes:
Miss Crawly: Has anyone seen my glass eye?
Buster Moon: Why aren't you rehearsing?
Frog: I'm through! They said I'm an intolerable egomaniac. I don't even know what that means!
Johnny: [talking to his father through an inmate phone service] Dad, I just don't want to end up being in your gang. I want to be a singer.
Big Daddy: How do I end up with a son like you?
Johnny: [as he father storms off] I'll get you out! Dad, wait! I'll get the money, I promise!
Gunter: This stage is about to explode with major piggy power!
Buster Moon: [Hears Meena singing 'Hallelujah' on her headphones] You think you can sing like that? In front of an audience?
Meena: I don't know. But I'd like to try.
Buster Moon: Good. Because I want to see it.
Buster Moon: [showing her a shiny, overly flashy outfit he wants Ash to wear for the performance] Isn't this a great color for you?
Ash: I can't tell. It's melting my eyes.
Connections
Sunset Boulevard (1950) - Nana's entrance down the staircase imitates Norma Desmnond's famous descent. She also wears a similar headdress, and her penguin butler resembles Erich Von Stroheim.
The Porky Pig Show (1964) (TV Series)- Mike calls Rosita and Gunter Porky in some scenes of the film.
The Muppet Show (1976) (TV Series) - Anthropomorphic animals, including pigs, sing famous songs on a stage.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984) - Judith the evil banker's initial appearance is heralded by the pan-flute stinger from the Leone epic.
Soundtracks
Crazy in Love Written by Eugene Record, Jay Z (as Shawn Carter), Beyoncé Knowles and Richard Christopher Harrison (as Rich Harrison)
Golden Slumbers Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Performed by Jennifer Hudson
The Way I Feel Inside Written by Rod Argent
I Don't Wanna Written by Garth Jennings and David Bassett Produced by David Bassett
Happy Birthday Traditional
Baker Street Written by Gerry Rafferty (as Gerald Rafferty)
Crazy in Love Written by Eugene Record, Jay Z (as Shawn Carter), Beyoncé Knowles and Richard Christopher Harrison (as Rich Harrison)
Jump Written by Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen (as Eddie Van Halen) and David Lee Roth
Kira Kira Killer Written by Yasutaka Nakata
Butterfly Written by Seth Binzer, Bret Mazur, Anthony Kiedis Flea, (as Michael Balzary) John Frusciante and Chad Smith
Anaconda Written by Sir Mix A Lot, (as Anthony Ray) Nicki Minaj, (as Onika Maraj) Polow Da Don, (as Jamal Jones) Jonathan Solone-Myvett (as Jonathan Myvett), Marcos Palacios and Ernie Clark
Humpty Dance Written by Bootsy Collins, (as William "Bootsy" Collins) Shock-G (as Gregory Jacobs), George Clinton and Walter Morrison
The Safety Dance Written by Ivan Doroschuk
Ride Like the Wind Written by Christopher Cross
Stay with Me Written by Sam Smith, James Napier, Tourist (as William Phillips), Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne
Pennies from Heaven Written by Johnny Burke and Arthur Johnston
Strange Loop Written and Performed by Garth Jennings
The Sound of Violence Written by Stephen Edwards, Boombass (sa Hubert Blanc-Francard) and Philippe Zdar (as Philippe Cerboneschi) Performed by Dennis de Laat Courtesy of Spinnin' Records
Star Crawl Written by Bradley Hargett, JB Townsend, Jean-Baptiste Gueracague, Andrew Adler, Keegan Cooke and Kyle Forester Performed by Crystal Stilts Courtesy of Sacred Bones Records
Go! Team Go! Traditional
Childhood Memories from Once Upon a Time in America Written and Performed by Ennio Morricone Courtesy of New Regency Entertainment, Inc.
Sucker Punch Written by Ali Dee (as Ali Theodore) and Zach Danziger Performed by Boomish Courtesy of Deetown Entertainment
Let's Face the Music and Dance Written by Irving Berlin
Venus Written by Robbie van Leeuwen (as Robert van Leeuwen)
Call Me Maybe Written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Tavish Crowe and Josh Ramsay Performed by Carly Rae Jepsen Courtesy of School Boy/Interscope Records and 604 Records Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
Pon de Floor Written by Afrojack, (as Nick van de Wall) Diplo (as Thomas Pentz), Switch (as Dave Taylor) and Vybz Kartel (as Adidja Palmer) Performed by Major Lazer feat. Vybz Kartel Courtesy of Mad Decent By Arrangement with Downtown Records, LLC
Set It All Free Written by Dave Bassett
True Colors Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly Performed by Cyndi Lauper Courtesy of Epic Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Around the World (Rumba) Written by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo Performed by Uwe Schmidt (as Señor Coconut and His Orchestra) Courtesy of Essay Recordings
Flashing Lights Written by Eric Hudson and Kanye West Performed by 'Kanye West' (qv Courtesy of Def Jam Recordings Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Nessun dorma! (Turandot, Act 3) Written by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni Performed by Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra del Teatro dell'opera di Roma and Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Conducted by Zubin Mehta Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
Under Pressure Written by Brian May, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon and Roger Taylor Performed by Queen and David Bowie Queen Courtesy of Hollywood Records, Inc. for USA and Canada Courtesy of Island Records Limited Under License from Universal Music Enterprises David Bowie Courtesy of RZO Music
Gimme Some Lovin' Written by Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis and Steve Winwood Performed by the Spencer Davis Group Courtesy of Capitol Records and Island Records Limited Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
Firework Written by Katy Perry, Sandy Vee (as Sandy Julien Wilhelm), Ester Dean (as Esther Dean), Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (as Mikkel Eriksen) and Tor Erik Hermansen (as Tor Hermansen) Performed by Katy Perry Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
Take Five Written by Paul Desmond The Four Seasons (Spring) - Allegro Written by Antonio Vivaldi
Bad Romance Written by RedOne (as Nadir Khayat) and Lady Gaga (as Stefani Germanotta)
Kiss from a Rose Written by Seal (as Henry Samuel)
I Love My Shirt Written by Donovan (as Donovan Leitch)
Stout-Hearted Men Written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Sigmund Romberg Performed by Shooby Taylor, "The Human Horn" Courtesy of William Taylor, Jr. By Arrangement with Irwin Chusid
Lollipop Written by Julius Dixon and Beverly Ross
9 to 5 Written by Dolly Parton
The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) Written by Queco (as Francisco Manuel Ruiz Gomez)
Ben Written by Don Black and Walter Scharf
Chandelier Written by Jesse Shatkin and Sia (as Sia Furler)
Garota de Ipanema Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes
Ninja Re Bang Bang Written by Yasutaka Nakata
Canon in D Written by Johann Pachelbel
Million Bucks (feat. Swizz Beatz) Written by Swizz Beatz (as Kasseem Dean), Jermaine 'Maino' Coleman (as Jermaine Coleman) and Avery Chambliss Performed by Maino Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film and TV Licensing
Hold On, We're Going Home Written by Noah Shebib, Jordan Ullman, Majid Al Maskati, Drake (as Aubrey Graham) and Paul Jeffries Performed by Drake feat. Majid Jordan Courtesy of Cash Money Records Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
The Wind Written by Cat Stevens (as Yusuf/Cat Stevens) Performed by Cat Stevens Courtesy of Island Records Limited Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Con amor muore...tu, tu? Piccolo iddio Written by Giacomo Puccini Performed by Renata Tebaldi, Carlo Bergonzi and Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Conducted by Tullio Serafin Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Koi Koi Koi Written by Yasutaka Nakata
Love Interruption Written by Jack White
Gianni schicchi o mio babbino caro Written By Giacomo Puccini
Shake It Off Written by Taylor Swift, Shellback (as Johan Schuster) and Max Martin
All of Me Written by Toby Gad and John Legend (as John Stephens)
I'm Still Standing Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (as Bernard Taupin)
Bamboleo Written by Simon Diaz, Tonino Baliardo, Jahloul Bouchikhi (as Jalhoul Bouchikhi) and Nicolas Reyes Performed by Gipsy Kings Courtesy of Offstage Productions, Inc. Under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment U.K., Ltd. Courtesy of Nonesuch Records By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film and TV Licensing
Carry That Weight Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney Performed by Jennifer Hudson
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Written by George Michael Performed by Wham! Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment U.K., Ltd. and Columbia Records By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Hallelujah Written by Leonard Cohen
My Way Written by Paul Anka, Jacques Revaux, Gilles Thibault and Claude François
Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing Written by Stevie Wonder
Faith Written by Ryan Tedder, Stevie Wonder and Francis Farewell Starlite (as Francis Farewell Starlight) Produced by Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco Performed by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande Stevie Wonder Appears Courtesy of Wonder Power Music, Distributed by RLG, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. Ariana Grande Appears Courtesy of Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
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