[projekktor id=’19008′]
Pitch Perfect 2, the sequel to the surprise musical hit of 2012, plays out much like an action movie sequel (sub the explosions and fight sequences with song medleys and dance numbers). With the majority of the cast returning – Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Britney Snow, Anna Camp, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Adam DiVine, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Alexis Knapp, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks (just to name a few) – and a script from the original scribe, Kay Cannon (30 Rock, New Girl), Pitch Perfect 2 seemed like a slam dunk as far sequels go. But the heart, conflict and character development that was at the centre of the first film was forgotten in the second in favour of more music. While a fun watch with LOTS of great song mashups, the film favours spectacle over good story telling.
The film picks up three years after the first one with Beca (Kendrick) and the other Barton Bellas entering their final year of college. The group has gained in popularity after winning the national collegiate a cappella competition for the past 3 years and are now performing for the President of the United States. When a costume malfunction makes them the talk of the nation, they get ousted from the intercollegiate league but retain their title of “national champs” meaning they are able to compete in the World A Cappella Competition. The collegiate judges (Banks and Higgins) agree to reinstate the Barton Bellas the following year if they win the Worlds, a feat that has never been accomplished by an American team. With their legacy at stake the girls must win the title or lose aca-everything.
While the central conflict should be strong enough for another sisterhood of the travelling singers’ movie, the film is littered with new under developed conflicts that detract from the story: Beca thinking the opinion of one record producer should make or break her future, and more importantly hiding her internship from the other Bellas; Fat Amy (Wilson) coming to terms with her relationship with former Treble Maker Bumper Allen (DeVine); and Chloe (Snow) remaining in college for an extra three years just so she won’t have to deal with her uncertain future. While Beca’s dilemma gets some attention the other two are kind of thrown in the mix when convenient and promptly forgotten about. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Fat Amy’s relationship drama was concocted simply to force a duet between her and Bumper (which is awesome by the way). Another major story fail is the introduction of Hailee Steinfeld’s Emily. The only new member of the group and a fledgling song writer, she’s odd but cute, and that’s basically it. We don’t get to know much more about her other than her mother was a Bella and is really pushing for her to stay in the group even though they never actually sing, and she’s the underdeveloped love interest of nerdy magician Benji (Platt). There’s no real crisis within the group and the romantic issues seem forced. But like action films, and especially action sequels, we’re going to forgive the plot failings because the film still delivers what it promises – boob jokes and great musical performances.
Despite a lack of story structure and character development, Pitch Perfect 2 is still a fun watch. It has some killer lines and the new riff-off scene that features David Cross, Reggie Watts and the Green Bay Packers is aca-hilarious. Pitch Perfect 2 might not be in perfect tune, but it’s still worth listening to.
Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.
