Film Review: Sequel’s Tune is Off Key in ‘Pitch Perfect 2’

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

CHICAGO – “Pitch Perfect 2” wasn’t bad. There was the same off-kilter weirdness and funny lines of the first film, but in this sequel there were also stretches of boring, seemingly made-up stuff to slog through. I guess repeating a premise about college singing groups doesn’t offer much more to say.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.0/5.0
Rating: 3.0/5.0

Also, the charm that made the first film work wasn’t in evidence in the sequel. There was too much of a reliance on Rebel Wilson’s “Fat Amy” to take care of any dead spots, but often her schtick WAS the dead spot. The rest was just a repeat of the first movie – funny a cappella group names, sing-offs, weird jokey asides from the participants, in addition to Elizabeth Banks (who also directed the film) and John Michael Higgins as Greek Chorus commentators. It also subtracted a “Bella” (Anna Camp’s Aubrey, who has a small role late in the film), and added one (Hallee Steinfeld’s Emily) – who provided nothing to that character. As a followup to “Pitch Perfect,” it might work for fans, but as a separate film it’s a “meh.”

The a cappella college singing group called the “Bellas” from the first “Pitch Perfect” are back, but this time they are a raging success as the second film opens, and entering their Senior year. Beca (Anna Kendrick) leads them onto the big stage, singing for President Obama at the Kennedy Center in Washington. However, Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) has a wardrobe malfunction, and the scandal rocks the a cappella society.

The directors of that society, John and Gail (John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks) decide to suspend the Bellas, but there is one catch – the group can get their status renewed if they win the World Championship in Copenhagen. With the German group Das Sound Machine at their heels, the Bellas need all the song power they can muster, including some melody from the new Bella, Emily (Hallee Stanfield).

“Pitch Perfect 2” opens everywhere on May 15th. Featuring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hallee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Banks, Snoop Dogg, Keegan-Michael Key, Katey Sagal and John Michael Higgins. Written by Kay Cannon. Directed by Elizabeth Banks. Rated “PG-13”

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Pitch Perfect 2”

Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld
Beca (Anna Kendrick) Belts it Out with New Bella Emily (Hailee Stanfield) in ‘Pitch Perfect 2’
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Pitch Perfect 2”

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