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First, not only is the diminutive dynamo subjected to bouts of abuse about her lack of height in the form of two towering Teutonic twits from a rival group known as Das Sound Machine, now that the Bellas are competing on an international level.
And when Pitch Perfect 2 is at its best, it makes you feel, for just a second, like you want to, too.
- (217)
- Elizabeth Banks
- PG-13
- Anna Kendrick
- Don't call it aca-meback
- Verdict
By Max Nicholson
Posted: May 8, 2015 6:27 pm
Released in 2012, Universal's Pitch Perfect was a sleeper hit, earning over $113 million worldwide and becoming the second biggest comedy musical of all time (just behind School of Rock). Set in the cutthroat world of collegiate a cappella groups, the film followed an all-female chorus, the Barden Bellas, in desperate need of new talent -- led by Anna Kendrick's grungy but gifted freshman Beca Mitchell -- and gutsier song choices. A true underdog story, the female-led film clicked with audiences thanks to its upbeat vocal arrangements and irreverent sense of humor. To borrow a phrase from Rebel Wilson's "Fat Amy," Pitch Perfect crushed it.
In Pitch Perfect 2 (now helmed by actress-producer Elizabeth Banks and scripted once again by Kay Cannon), Beca and her friends enter their senior year -- including Brittany Snow's former leader Chloe, who purposely failed classes three years in a row to stay in the group -- at the top of their game. But after a devastating "full-frontal" performance at Lincoln Center, the Bellas must compete in the World Championships of A Cappella (which no American group has ever won) to reclaim their status.
Until then, the Bellas are stripped of their victory tour by the conservative overseers of America's A Cappella League, delightfully played again by Banks and John Michael Higgins, the latter of whom brings his smarmy best to the proceedings. ("This is what happens when you send women to college," he matter-of-factly states.)
Replacing the girls are European champs Das Sound Machine, a militaristic co-ed group, whose thickly accented covers of songs like "Zis is How Ve Do It" and "Light Zem Up" never stop being funny. Amusingly, Beca develops a crush on the group's female leader (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen), which results in Beca's numerous "insults" sounding more like compliments. ("Yeah, well... your sweat smells like cinnamon!") "Your team is -- how do you say -- a heated mess."The Treblemakers are also back for this one, though not as prominently featured as last time. While the first movie played up the rivalry between the guys and girls, the sequel's spotlight falls squarely on the Bellas -- and rightfully so, given their national ranking. However, the film does include a couple of romantic subplots that are entertaining in themselves.
Pitch Perfect 2 embraces all the things that made the original so great while also building on them, like adding harmony to a melody. In addition to balancing a huge ensemble cast, director Elizabeth Banks captures just the right amount of heart and humor for the sequel. While some of the story beats get repetitive, the sequel toys with fan-favorit...
- Max Nicholson
May 14, 2015 · The Pitch Perfect movies are heavy on arch humor and only lightly swat at sentiment, but when Pitch Perfect 2 gets to its bittersweet moments, it’s surprisingly affecting.
May 7, 2015 · ‘Pitch Perfect 2’: Film Review. Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and the rest of the gang are joined by newbie Hailee Steinfeld for another round of a cappella-related mirth. By Leslie Felperin. May...
May 14, 2015 · By A.O. Scott. May 14, 2015. At one point in “ Pitch Perfect 2 ,” for no especially compelling narrative reason, the Barden Bellas, an all-girl a cappella group at a fictional Georgia college,...
More a collection of funny moments and musical performances strung together than a coherent narrative, Pitch Perfect 2 should still satisfy fans of the first film. Full Review | Original...
