not the most inventive feature, yet a good showing overall

Rating: Null/10 (19 February 2019)

Energetic comedy about the ups and downs of an all-female collegiate a cappella group. Seeking a way to redeem themselves following a humiliating incident in the previous year, the Barden Bellas recruit heavily to try and return to form, and more importantly upstage their shared university, all-male rival group the Treblemakers. Newly arrived freshman Beca Mitchell, a rebellious and introverted loner whose father is on the teaching staff, likes music but not singing. Going against her better judgment she auditions to join the Bellas, but whether or not she can fit in and conform to their strict and traditional regiment remains to be seen. It's not hard to figure out the trajectory of this film, but it's elevated thanks to likable characters, good casting, laugh-out loud humor, colorful lines, and of course some fantastic musical numbers. Good entertainment if you can get past the familiarity of it all. ***