"Pitch Perfect 2"- Though never quite as fresh as the outstanding original, the great cast shines and good humor continues in this very worthy sequel.

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2016)

Comedy sequels are always a hard sell. For some reason, there's a standard few issues that many seem to fall back on, whether it be undoing previously completed character development in order to retell similar character-arcs, rehashing common story-beats or just delivering the exact same plot all over again, many sequels to popular comedies just fall a bit flat for trying too hard to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle appeal of their superior originals. Thankfully, however, "Pitch Perfect 2", despite having some of these issues, is able to rise above the so-so quality of many other follow- ups thanks to the continued electrifying charm of the wonderful cast and the absolutely excellent good humor that made the original a modern comedic classic. While it may never quite be as fresh and satisfying as the first outing, it's definitely a very worthy sequel.
Several years after the events of the original, the Barden Bellas are now three-time ICCA champions and are beloved by A Capella fans all over the nation. However, a disastrous "wardrobe malfunction" at a celebration concert for US President Obama's birthday quickly erupts into a media-circus, with the Bellas now the butt of many a joke and suspended indefinitely from performing at future ICCA competitions. However, not all hope is lost, as a deal is made- if the Bellas can win the World Championship of A Capella, they will be re-instated. And so, the group will have to learn to work together again to train for the much more grueling world competition... but all the while leader Beca (Anna Kendrick), trying to plan for her future beyond the Bellas, begins a musical internship that may threaten her friendship with the rest of the group.
Co-star Elizabeth Banks takes over the director's chair in her feature film debut, with Kay Cannon returning to write the script. Together, the two build a very competent and stylish production that compliments the original quite well, while also having an identity of its own. Banks proves to be a more than capable visual storyteller with solid direction, and I very much admired her handling of the material. She's definitely got a good eye for flow and composition and I'd be very interested to see her continue to grow as a director in the future. Cannon's script is tight and there's never a dull moment. She seems to have ratcheted up the zaniness this time around with some particularly wild sequences, and while it doesn't always work 100%, I think she does a good job continuing the story started in the original.
The cast is as marvelous as ever this time around, and I appreciated that this movie gives a lot more business to the supporting characters. Kendrick is a joy as always and makes for a compelling lead, especially with her struggles in growing up, which many will identify with. Rebel Wilson's role is slightly expanded and I very much enjoyed her romantic sub-plot with former adversary Bumbper, who is played in a delightfully hammy performance by a returning Adam DeVine. Supporting roles by the likes of Ester Dean, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee and Katey Sagal are very well played. And there's even some really nice cameos that pop up here and there that I won't spoil, but round out the cast rather nice. I also did enjoy the new villains played by Birgitte Hjort Sørensen and Flula Borg- the leaders of an evil German A Capella group. Though I do have to comment that I think the roles are written a bit flat and as a result, neither Sørensen or Borg are able to really shine. But they did a good job with the material provided.
As much as I enjoyed the film, however, there are a few big issues I had which is where it loses some points for me. To start, as I mentioned, the villainous roles are a bit flat and on-dimensional. The sort-of trope of the "evil Germans" has been done to death, and unlike Bumper's quirky and over-the-top villainous presence in the original, they feel very stock. I also do think the film's first act is a bit messy. Many supporting characters feel under-utilized until later in the film and the story moves a bit too quickly for its own good, lopping on new characters and plot developments at a slightly haphazard pace. And a few gags and set-pieces do fall flat, including a bizarre follow-up to the famous riff-off of the original that feels a bit too weird and disjointed and is a very obvious attempt to try and re- create a popular scene from the first film. It just comes off as inorganic.
Thankfully, the film corrects course soon enough, and the rest of the film is an utter joy. I loved the musical numbers, appreciated some of the new developments made to the characters. (I adored the turn in Bumper from a doofus villain into a sort-of sympathetic goofball, for example, and that's not spoiling anything) The direction is sharp and exciting and the wonderful comedy is on full- display. "Pitch Perfect 2" might not quite measure up to the absolutely outstanding original. But it's a darned good sequel and has me all the more excited for the recently announced third film. I give "Pitch Perfect 2" a very good 8 out of 10.