​FILMS

pitch perfect 2

2015 review number 74:

Pitch Perfect 2: (Comedy/Musical): 69 out of 100: If you enjoyed "Pitch Perfect" from 2012, then you should enjoy this sequel as most of the winning ingredients from the first film including Fat Amy, a great soundtrack and energetic choreography have been brought back. Obviously those who didn't enjoy the first film should stay well away from this one.

 

The Barden Bellas who have won the US a capella contest for three years in a row find themselves on the outer after Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) has a wardrobe malfunction while performing at the Lincoln Center in New York in front of President Obama and his wife Michelle. As a result they have been banned from appearing on the US Aca-Circuit. The only way they can get back in is to win the international a capella contest. In the meantime, Beca (Anna Kendrick) has dreams of her own to become a successful record producer and this leads to conflict with one of the group's leaders, Chloe (Brittany Snow). Hailee Steinfeld rounds off the main cast by playing Emily, a singer/songwriter whose mother was also a Barden Bella.

 

Wilson has more screen time in the sequel. She has a substantial number of the funny lines. If you find her humour grating then you won't enjoy the sequel as much as the original. Kendrick still receives top billing and she is appealing. She'll have to watch out though that she isn't typecast in musicals as this is probably her fifth singing role. John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks reprise their roles as the commentators who poke fun at each other and at the contestants. Some of these lines are amusing. You'll also find cameo appearances by Snoop Dogg, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Pharell Williams and Adam Levine.

 

The story itself gets occasionally bogged down by the sub-plot involving Beca's aspirations to become a record producer. The movie is less successful when it tries to be a drama. It works best as a comedy where the bantering and sexual references are played out, although the personal insults aren't as funny as they were in another recent release in "Spy". Most of the energy can be found in the musical performances where the actors harmonise to a variety of songs, accompanied by some vibrant dance routines.

 

Elizabeth Banks makes her debut as a director. She attempts a variety of styles such as slow motion, multiple scenes in the one frame and tracking shots to capture the energy of the performances. She keeps things moving along and does a serviceable job rather than a brilliant one.

 

"Pitch Perfect 2" is an entertaining film for the most part but is not as good as the original. It could be termed a chick flick as the guys have the secondary roles but there's enough in the story for both genders to enjoy. Considering all the money this one is making at the box office, don't be surprised if "Pitch Perfect 3" is just around the corner.

 

Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld and Brittany Snow

(115 minutes)

Parental advice: Sexual references

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we see Bumper perform on 'The Voice'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bh4mvJ5jUg (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Wednesday 27th May, 2015)

 

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