Greetings,
And here we have another sequel where I don't know if it needed to exist. I seem to recall Pitch Perfect original being rather a contained story with a beginning, middle and end. Remember those kind of movies? When it was over, I could not think of a reason to continue said story into another film. But then, I noticed the box office amounts and realized "Okay, here comes number two". Again, though, just because a movie might not need to exist doesn't mean that it's not a good thing that it does exist, right? I guess we'll find out. Pitch Perfect 2, ladies and gentlemen.
Our second, cinematic, a capella extravaganza takes place three years after the first, where we find the Barden Bellas performing for the president. As revealed in the trailers, things do not go as planned and the girls are punished. They can't compete in the ICCA's and they can't audition new members. Oh, no! But as it turns out, since they are, technically, the current champs, they can compete in the World Championship. It's a competition that the U.S.A has never won, so...HAHAHAHA! What? I'm pretty much quoting characters in the movie on that one. Anyway, at this point, we see that most of the characters have returned for the sequel. Beca (Anna Kendrick) Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), Chloe (Brittany Snow) as well as other assorted Bellas, whose names I can't really remember. But that is so not their fault. Later, we see that Jesse (Skylar Astin) and Benji (Ben Platt) have also returned. Yay, boys! And, of course, the people I consider the best part of the first movie have also returned. Those people are the commentators, John and Gail, played by John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks, respectively. Banks, by the way, also directed here. I happen to think she did a great job. Though, one can only go up from being a contributor to Movie 43. Oooohhh! That mess still grinds my gears. Let's move on before something happens.
So, do we have any new people for the sequel? Yes, a few. First, our villains are a rival a capella team from - get this! - Germany. Really? Well, I suppose we have to get something in lieu of that Cool Runnings sequel we were hoping for. And we also get a new Bella in the form of Emily, played by Hailee Steinfeld. And, yes, she gets to sing. That was one of things missing from her role in Begin Again, so I'm happy I get to hear her in this. Now, I know what you're thinking. How can they get a new Bella if they can't hold auditions? Well, as it happens, Emily is a legacy, because her mother was a Bella, so they just let her in, no audition necessary. Her mother, who is played by...Katey Sagal!! Hooray...I guess. Oh, certainly HOORAY for Ms. Sagal, but she's barely in it, so...boo, to that.
Okay, besides the main plot I mentioned about them preparing for World's, we get a subplot of Beca having a secret internship that takes away time from the Bellas. Also, we find out that Emily is a songwriter. Hmmm... New girl is a music making person? Gee, I wonder how this is gonna end? Yeah, exactly the way you think. But that's not so bad. More on that in a moment.
Anyway, let us discuss the music, which was the star of the first movie. Same here. Although, if given the choice, I guess I prefer the music from the first rather than this. Not to say that it's not good here in the sequel. It is. Also, we get something in this film that we did not get in the predecessor - an original song called "Flashlight". It is a really good song. I mean, Sia helped to write it, so it's already got one good foot in the door. And it plays an important role in the finale. I like the finale. I like what they did, and it even made me a little misty eyed, I must admit. What? I have feelings.
And we are apparently getting a third Pitch Perfect, so prepare yourselves.
Okay, let's aca-finish this up. (Yeah, you just saw that!) I like the first Pitch Perfect better, and I still kind of think that the only reason they made a second one was because that was a big hit. Also, because of the music. However, that does not mean that this was bad at all. In fact, I enjoyed myself whilst watching and listening to it. I think if you were or are a fan of the first, you will definitely enjoy the one that follows.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
