Review: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ finds the right tone for fans of college a capella comedy

Posted on May 29, 2015

By MARK VIOLA

Like its predecessor, “Pitch Perfect 2” is a funny, entertaining adventure into the wild world of a capella, although the craziness is upped a bit too much, making the overall story a little less relatable than the first.

With nearly all of the original cast returning, old friends and old enemies return for new fun, lead by Anna Kendrick as aspiring musical producer Beca and Rumor Wilson as the uncouth Fat Amy. Fans of the first film will find plenty to sing about in the sequel, although if you didn’t enjoy the original, the new film doesn’t offer enough difference to change your mind.

The film itself is more outlandish than the original, and makes the story less believable, but when the movie goes too far off track, it usually reins itself back before too long. Based on the trailers, I thought the world championship would constitute much of the film–and simultaneously worried we would be subjected to a series of culturally insensitive caricatures, but the competition is only at the end. Instead, the heart of the story is the Bellas trying to become the group that won three-straight national championships and, more importantly, became good friends with each other. The cast really comes together and first-time director Elizabeth Banks gets the most from her actresses.

“Pitch Perfect” is quite funny while providing fans a return to the world and characters of the original film.

The movie is rated PG-13 for innuendo and language.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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