‘Pitch Perfect 2′ is obviously a sequel to ”Pitch Perfect 1’ but even if you haven’t seen the first one, it won’t stop you from laughing out loud and enjoying every second of this one.
When the film starts the Barden College, Bellas, an all female a capella group who have won three national titles, are on stage at New York City’s Lincoln Center performing for President and Michelle Obama, who we see in cutaways. It’s the President’s birthday and the Bellas have gone all out. As they sing ‘Wrecking Ball’, one of their members, Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) holding onto a robe, flies high above the stage. (Think really bad Cirque du Soleil) Seems Fat Amy is not quite adept at acrobatic moves. In fact, she’s awful. Not only does she fumble a maneuver, but her latex outfit splits open, revealing her downstairs lady part in front of the whole audience. The fake reaction of Obama and Michelle is priceless.
Fat Amy’s mishap, is the beginning of the end for the Bellas. Not only are they blasted in social media, but the group is suspended from entering any future competitions by the cappella’s ruling body headed by co-presidents Gail (Elizabeth Banks) and outrageously politically incorrect, hysterically funny, John (John Michael Higgins) However, they are given an out…An impossible one of course. If the Bellas win a major global competition held in Copenhagen, they will be reinstated. . Only problem is, no American group has EVER won. But that doesn’t discourage our girls. They are determined to kill it, Everyone except their leader Beca (Anna Kendrick) who has other things on her mind, i.e. her future after she graduates. Beca has always dreamed of becoming a music producer, so without telling her fellow Bellas, she takes an internship with a famous record producer, (Keegan-Michael Key)creating soon creates a rift with the other girls. But that’s not the only obstacle the Bellas have to overcome. They are prohibited from recruiting any new members. Luckily that doesn’t apply to legacies and that’s exactly who, Emily (Hailee Steinfield) is. Emily’s mom (Katey Sagal) was a Bella some 30 years ago so she’s automatically included into the group. Emily though wants to write her own songs which is a big no-no, since a capella singers only perform covers.
‘Pitch Perfect 2’ directed by Elizabeth Banks has definitely taken the franchise up a few notches. The whole cast is back, including Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean Shelly Regner and Kelley Jakle. We also have some new members including Flo (Chrissie Fit) who’s constantly makes very funny references to her horrible life back in Central America where she grew up or escaped from. The guys, Skylar Astin, Adam Devine and Ben Platt are back, but they take a backseat to the ladies, because the film is ALL ABOUT THE GIRLS.
Speaking of the girls, one of the funniest bits is between Beca and Kommissar (Birgitte Hjort Sorensen) the head of the German a cappella group, DAS SOUND MACHINE, who are the front runners. Beca can’t stop complimenting the super arrogant Kommissar’s body, beauty, height, hair and sweat which smells like cinnamon.
‘Pitch Perfect 2’ is not just about great music, dancing and singing. It’s also about friendship, girl bonding, and facing your future. From the beginning to the end, I didn’t stop smiling. For that reason, I gave ‘Pitch Perfect 2’, which opens in theatres Friday, April 15, 2015. five bagels out of five.
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