A movie that didn't need a sequel gets a fortunately solid one

Rating: 8/10 (4 June 2015)

The first Pitch Perfect came out of left field and bowled most of us over. It is one of the best and most fun comedy musicals ever and a modern day classic already in my opinion. Did it need a sequel? Absolutely not. But Hollywood can't ever say no to more potential money so a sequel was green lit. I was cautiously optimistic because as much as it didn't need a sequel, I wanted to have fun with the Bellas again and wanted it to be good! Pitch Perfect 2 isn't as good as the first one...there is no way around that...but it is a worthy sequel, a ton of fun, makes sense, good characters, new songs, new ideas and its well worth your time especially if you're a fan of the first one. You know what to expect because they were smart not to change the formula of the film. Pitch Perfect is what is has always been and that's a good thing. There aren't a lot of changes or surprises but if something ain't broke, don't fix it! There are plenty of laughs and ridiculous antics and they do sort of play on some of the same jokes but that is to be expected. A lot of negative reviews mention the crass "racist" and "homophobic" jokes and as always people are too sensitive but I get where they're coming from. The Hispanic character is almost too much to bear.
Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow return to lead the Bellas to the World Championships. The three of them are very good, Snow and Kendrick have great chemistry but its a little less obvious as it was in the first film because presumably the characters are already established. Wilson being Wilson there is always the danger of her being overused but both the first film and now this one, she is used just the right amount and very funny in a crass sort of way. Skylar Astin and Adam Devine also return in smaller roles this time around but they are meant to be supporting characters as are Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee and Ester Dean who are way in the background this time around. That's a wise choice though since they're funny schtick was really done in the first film. Anna Camp returns in a small but very good cameo. Ben Platt gets a slightly bigger role (and technically the romantic lead) than in the first film and he's very good and adorable in his role. The newcomer everyone is talking about is Hailee Steinfeld who I adore. I knew she would be an It-Girl from the first time she graced our screens in True Grit. This girl is a fantastic actress and a great singer as it turns out. She is a welcomed addition to the cast, has good chemistry with Kendrick and could lead the film series going forward. The romance with Platt is adorable and while they don't focus on it as much as they did in the first film with Kendrick and Astin it is still very good.
It is very easy to decide whether you will like this film. If you enjoyed the first one, this is more of the same in all the right ways. Elizabeth Banks gives her directorial debut with this film and she shows some talent for sure but the ground work had already been laid. I'm impressed that screenwriter Kay Cannon isn't someone who has been around in film for ages but clearly knows comedy and knows what works. Pitch Perfect 2 is fun!! It is a worthy sequel that builds on its characters but mostly just continues the story from the first. A perfect date night movie that anyone can enjoy. 8/10