Review: 'Pitch Perfect 2' (2015)

Universal Pictures 

Pitch Perfect 2 is exactly what you would expect from a sequel to a movie that doesn’t really need a sequel. Everything Pitch Perfect did its follow up not only does but does it bigger. There is more music, more harmless humor and even more of a gooey-soft message about friendship than before. Because of this, if Pitch Perfect was your thing then this up sized version of it called Pitch Perfect 2 will not have much trouble entertaining.

This time around, the Bella’s, now all seniors at Barden University, find themselves catching heat for a performance at the Kennedy Center for President Obama that featured an exposed Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) after a major wardrobe malfunction. So, as a result the University prohibits the singing sorority from bringing in new members. In addition to this, the a cappella association that they belong to, led by commentators John and Gail, with John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks (also directing for the first time) reprising the roles, have suspended the group from competition unless they can win the upcoming world championship.

The penalty handed out by the University  doesn’t keep the Bella’s from finding loop holes, leading them to allow Emily (Hailee Steinfeld), a freshman whose mother (Katey Sagal) happened to be a Bella herself, to be a part of the group. While Steinfeld plays a big role in both the story and singing portions, it is again Anna Kendrick as Becca that is given the biggest work load. Looking ahead to post-graduation life, Becca is struggling to balance time with the Bella’s and as an intern at a recording studio. With not much of a surprise, Keegan-Michael Key as Becca’s boss provides a few laughs especially when it comes to him constantly belittling another employee.

It is of course though Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy that is given the duty of handing out a strong majority of the humor and in the process valiantly rivaling Kendrick for the most screen time. Wilson, hugely successful and a pleasant surprise to most the first time around, cannot quite connect with the jokes here but they never feel awkwardly out of place and at least aren’t totally recycled like marketing suggested.

Unlike before though, Fat Amy is more than just comic relief, as she is one half of the films romantic storyline (even if that storyline could be considered comic relief itself). Already having a ‘friends with benefits’ or really just a ‘benefits’ type of relationship, Bumper (Adam Devine) finds himself wanting more than just that with Fat Amy. Due to this, DeVine is given some decent screen time which is always a plus.

Like the first installment though, Pitch Perfect 2’s main focus is competitive singing and like the Treblemakers once were to them, the Bellas biggest threat in competition is Das Sound Machine, a German based a cappella group. Machine seems to be a fitting description for this group as they physically move completely in sync while doing the same vocally. As these sequences are more technically complex than when other groups are performing, they feature nice camera work that along with the vocal talent involved make them a joy to watch. If the Bellas and Das Sound Machine aren’t enough for you though, even the Green Bay Packers get in on the singing. In a sing off in the basement of David Crosses a cappella obsessed character, Clay Matthews and a handful of teammates go up against other groups, turning out to be the film’s most entertaining scene.  

A lot of enjoyment to be had when it comes to Pitch Perfect 2 relies on not just if you like the first but more what kind music your into and watching others dance and sing this music. If you’re like me and enjoy pop or hip hop music than it’s hard not to enjoy this experience. There are some classics scattered into the mix but for the most part, the musical numbers are based in pop, hip hop or both.   

Regardless of why you have enjoyed Pitch Perfect 2 or the franchise as a whole, if you find yourself fond of what is being done, your in luck. With box office returns on this second installment coming up big, a third go around for the Bellas, even though it has been suggested that the group is moving on with their life’s, is more than likely to happen sooner than later. Looking beyond that even, the musical format that this franchise has used allows them to keep things fresh when it comes to song selection and even presentation, meaning that the Pitch Perfect brand will go on for some time. Things may not end well down the road, resulting in lack luster theatrical releases or even straight to video releases like we have seen with Step Up and Bring It On series’ but for now it is alright to just set back and enjoy two solid first acts. 

Grade: B-