Pitch Perfect 2

The original "Pitch Perfect" was, by any definition, a surprise hit; I think it's fair to claim nobody expected a film about a group of female a capella singers to be a box office smash that left a cultural footprint on the new generation of teenage girls. It combined the wry relatability of a film like "Mean Girls" and etched in pop/music-influenced energy to create something that was decidedly unique and realized and wound up creating its own eclectic fanbase. On the contrary, I don't think anybody expected there not to be a sequel to the film, and for that film to try and mimic what made the first film so loved.

Aside from a few stumbling attempts to keep up with its own absurdity, and some seriously questionable cultural jokes, "Pitch Perfect 2" continues to exploit its own harmony and run with it to notable success. This time around, we are reacquainted with the Bellas, the renowned, award-winning a capella group led by Becca (Anna Kendrick) and Chloe (Brittany Snow). Following an incident involving the klutzy Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and an unforeseeable wardrobe malfunction in front of President Barack Obama and the First Lady, the Bellas are suspended from competing in any competition. In order to regain their domestic status, the group tries to perform on the international circuit, which has never seen an American a capella group compete in history.

A few years ago, this would've been little sweat for the barrage of talented ladies. However, most of the Bellas are graduating this year, quietly forgetting what has kept them together for so long. Moreover, the only one who appears worried about her future is Becca, who has been skipping out on many rehearsals and practices to advance her lowly status at a record company. She dreams of being a music producer, but has to work around her hard-headed (but hilarious) boss (Keegan-Michael Key), leaving the Bellas without a great deal of organization in the meantime. The group also welcomes a new face named Emily (Hailee Steinfeld), who is known for her "legacy" status thanks to her extremely talented mother, who was a Bella during her days at Barden University. This massive competitive undertaking mixed with a serious group identity crisis leaves the Bellas without a lot of options in terms of getting their name back on top.

Before we can appreciate what "Pitch Perfect 2" does fairly well, we have to recognize a couple of glaring issues that few seem to be talking about, one of which is the obvious cultural and racial insensitivity on display. There is a Guatemalan character in the film known as Flo (Chrissie Fit), who is a character that is thrown in the Bellas to do nothing other than confirm the common prejudices and stereotypes of Hispanic/South American individuals. Every time she speaks, she attributes some sort of stereotype to her own life, whether it be being kidnapped or having to change her identity and flee the country. The jokes are abrupt tonal shifts from what is otherwise light-hearted fun. In addition, even the blatantly sexist John (John Michael Higgins), one-half of the two announcers in the film who cover the a cappella competitions, has transcended from being simple and effective comic relief to thoroughly mean-spirited and misogynistic. I speak not as an offended viewer, but more as one questioning why many are so quick to just brush off casual racism in comedies when they condemn the same actions in real life (the same question I had when I saw "Get Hard").

"Pitch Perfect 2" is damn lucky to have an exceptional team of cinematographers, sound editors, sound mixers, costume designers, set decorators, and choreographers to assure that questionable humor and mean-spiritedness don't overtake the project's inherent charm. Despite all the distractions, one can't deny the theatrical power of both this film and its sequel. The glitz, glamor, and beautiful decor of the sets and stages are a feast for the eyes, and never does the a capella aspect get lost in the shuffle. These films are both incomparable collections of talent that simultaneously don't feel like any kind of marketing campaign for a capella organizations, which is a tricky dance to pull off in many cases.

The only other time "Pitch Perfect 2" sidesteps is when its coolness gets the best of it. Both films have consistently tried to be hip with the characters' lingo, mannerisms, and actions, and, most of the time, they because of how the talented actresses handle it, but it's silly scenes like Fat Amy "rubbing her confidence (aka sweat)" on Becca that work to derail such added charm. These kinds of scenes work paradoxically to the film, which tries to be more adult and less Disney (it comes with a PG-13 rating that should strongly be noted by parents of kids eleven and younger) most of the time, but can't help but throw in some element of childishness in the mix.

Nonetheless, first-time feature-film director Elizabeth Banks (who shows up alongside Higgins once again in the film) takes a lofty challenge with "Pitch Perfect 2" and succeeds in making it a visual spectacle and something of an emotional one to boot. By the end, we realize how much time we've spent with these characters, even if it doesn't seem like that much, and we recognize their talents and their personalities, and find ourselves falling in love with their attitudes, their singing, and their talent all over again. That's the beauty of these films, through the occasional bouts of nonsense and ridiculous jokes; these are characters with a great deal of personality encapsulated in a film that has enough of its own to effectively capture it.

When I watched the original "Pitch Perfect" a number of years ago, I was disappointed in an experience that I felt wasn't sure of itself. That movie struggled to figure out whether to be grounded in semi-serious character development or fully embrace the comedy. In this sequel, however, they choose to fully embrace the comedy, and at least for me that was a decision that led to more entertaining experience.

For a basic plot summary, "Pitch Perfect 2" sees a return of the Borden Bellas...but only until they make themselves a national embarrassment after some "exposure" from Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). Now, with the program about to be put on academic probation, it begins to fracture from within. Beca (Anna Kendrick) is spending just as much time on her own music career, while the routines just don't seem to be coming together like they used to. It takes freshman newcomer Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) to rally the troops and compete in the seemingly unwinnable "Worlds" competition featuring the dominant German squad.

Even though I am nowhere near the target audience of this movie (30 year-old male), I found this one to be a pretty entertaining experience because of its willingness to embrace its own silly humor throughout. Instead of trying to ground this movie in any sense of reality, it goes all-out for the jokes and music and I think it fits the style of director Elizabeth Banks better. Once you think of it as a pure comedy, it makes it a lot easier to get through.

Another great addition to the franchise was the Steinfeldt character, who breathes some new life and youthful exuberance into all proceedings. Without the new perspective given by her character, this could have been a pretty large repeat of the original. Steinfeldt can sing and act with equal measure (and both at a very high level), and is set up perfectly to be the star of subsequent sequels should Kendrick tire of the mantle.

Overall, "Pitch Perfect 2" was more fun for me than the original. It doesn't try to sell itself as anything other than a comedy, the songs are catchy and fun (as usual), and the Steinfeld performance is mesmerizing. This genre will never be my favorite, but it didn't struggle to finish this film like I did the first one.

The original Pitch Perfect was like a unicorn. A fall release with a target audience of Gleeks. It didn't seem to have the legs to get anywhere, but those who saw it understood and spread the word. No one believed in it, yet it became an instant classic. I saw Pitch Perfect no less than 5 times in theaters (but I did work in a movie theater, so I did not pay 5 times to see it). I fell in love with the movie, and so did everyone I dragged along with me to see it.

And now we are in the day and age where any slightly successful movie gets more money thrown at it to make a slightly less entertaining sequel (that was never in the cards to begin with). When the sequel to Pitch Perfect 2 was announced, I was on the fence. PP was wrapped up in a neat tiny little box, and it didn't need anything else to come along and ruin it.

Then it got worse. They announced at some point that the Green Bay Packers were going to be in it. I went on a tirade. OK, maybe I wasn't throwing things and kicking puppies, but I was very vocal online and to my family about how they ruined any potential this movie had by putting the worst football team in the history of the world in this movie, with Clay Matthews being at the forefront of the group. (I tell everyone who will listen that if I had $10,000, I would pay someone much stronger than me to punch him in the face, while I sneak behind him and cut off his hair).

So all of my excitement for this sequel went from a somewhat decent flame to a dying ember. The movie was coming out during a summer of blockbusters that had me so excited I felt like I could vomit (seriously, before Avengers: Age of Ultron started I thought I could vomit while sitting there waiting for trailers to start because I was so excited).

But PP2 stayed on my mind, and last week I got the opportunity to sign up for a advance screening, and last night I got into that advance screening. Outside the theater they were giving away PP2 branded cups (ha) if you took a selfie with the poster and shared it. So obviously I did that. (cut to the next time someone is in my apartment, sees that cup, and i immediately start my horrible rendition of cups). PP2 has the same formula as the first one. This time the Bellas are a bit more successful, but they hit a snag at the beginning and have to rebuild their team. Beca is the leader of the group, but she is also worried about her future (cue future distance and drama in the group). The Bellas can't audition new members (and with their current ban from Collegiate Acapella), the group filled with graduating seniors (and super, super, super seniors) looks doomed.

The movie gets off to a slow start plot-wise. But that doesn't stop the jokes from coming hard and fast. I found myself laughing at almost every line in the movie. There isn't a single one that doesn't have a little hint of a zinger.

Elizabeth Bank's full-length film directorial debut proves that she knows comedy (as if we didn't already know that) and that the cast knows how to deliver that comedy. We have all of our favorites back and each story line does not disappoint. The few new additions are pretty great too.

Hailee Steinfeld as Bella legacy Emily proves that if they want to continue the franchise, they have some pretty good fresh meat in her.

And much like the first movie, the best lines and overall awesomeness comes from Rebel Wilson as the aca-amazing Fat Amy. She does not disappoint, and though some people may feel that Rebel plays the same character in everything she does, I really don't care because she makes me laugh. Every. Damn. Time.

This movie is full of surprises. And the damn Green Bay Packers made me laugh harder than I thought possible (but for good measure, in-between each laugh I did say 'F*** you, Clay Matthews). Also to note, I live in Chicago, saw the screening in Chicago, and I was not the only person who booed when the Packers were introduced.

I feel like if I were to go into anymore detail, I would spoil some of the best bits of the movie for you, so let me sum it up in this final little bit: PP2 is a good time. You need to be a fan of the first one, don't go in thinking that maybe you will like this even if you didn't like PP. You are wrong, you will hate it. But those of you that love or even mildly liked the first one will get a kick out of this. I laughed so hard at one point (that involved Fat Amy and Bumper (Adam Devine)) that I was unable to breath. It was brilliant.

Better than the original? Debatable. Worth seeing in theaters? 100% yes.

I'm just saying, the fact that the summary says, "performance at Lincoln Center" yet it's mentioned multiple times in the movie as the "Kennedy Center"really disappoints me in the quality of summary for this site - but hey at least both are president names. Yes, I'm picky.

The movie was entertaining - got a few good laughs. Again as with most sequels, it doesn't quite live up to nor exceed that of the previous PP.

Great characters, and further development of them which I am always a fan of in movie sequels. As a young adult, I don't necessarily enjoy certain jokes or aims of humour that come off as immature; I realise they are aiming for a wider range of consumers though. Worth a watch definitely!

When Pitch Perfect arrived back in 2012, it was considered a reasonable critical and commercial success - $65 million box office from a $17 million budget was nothing for Hollywood execs to be over-thrilled about but profitable enough to be thought of as a win. Then in the years following a combination of DVD rentals, sales and downloads as well as fantastic word of mouth turned Pitch Perfect into a guilty pleasure/cult classic – a chick flick that appeals to both sexes with a feel good factor, quotable dialogue and a soundtrack good enough to sing along to. Fans were crying out for a sequel and therefore in true Hollywood tradition, an encore has now arrived. Whilst Pitch Perfect 2 doesn't quite hit the same heights of the original, it doesn't disappoint.

Set three years later, the Bellas, led by Beca (Anna Kendrick) are at the top of their game. Three time national Champions and now performing in front of the President of the United States. After an ill-fated Miley Cyrus-like act by Fat Amy (Aussie actress Rebel Wilson) causes the whole world to see her private parts, the Bellas are humiliated and banned from performing in the National Championships. Seemingly back at square one, their only road to redemption is to win the World Championships – a tournament that no American a capella group has ever won. Faced against the terrifying but efficient German group Das Sound Machine, the odds are once again stacked against the Bellas and, just like before, they return to being underdogs.

Thankfully there is more plot for the audience to be involved with including Beca's internship at a recording studio as she follows her dream to become a music producer, although it's proving harder than she thought. Fat Amy gets her time in the spotlight in a will she/won't she love story. New character Emily, (Hailee Stanfield) is also a welcome addition as the newest member of the Bellas and contributes immensely as the group bond and are forced to re- discover who they are.

Although Pitch Perfect 2 is more or less a repeat of the first movie, there are plenty laughs to be had throughout and is equally as funny as the original. The majority of the comedy is centred around Kendrick, Wilson and Brittany Snow and, whilst the rest of the group are practically invisible at times, the one-liners are shared out amongst them. The supporting cast are also as reliable and as funny as ever. The inevitable musical climax is good enough for the audience to stand up and cheer in support of the Bellas.

It's a guarantee that Pitch Perfect 2 will be more successful than the original and talk of a three-quel will no doubt arise, however if this is to be the Bella's last performance, it's a worthwhile hit to finish on.