I have always loved musicals. Back when Blockbuster Video was cool and actually existed, my mom and I would rent movie musicals such as "Grease," "The Wiz," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Annie," and too many more to name. In high school, I was in the musical all 4 years and found it to be one of the highlights of my high school career. I have always thought, "How much fun would it be to just spontaneously break out into song about a current situation and dance through the streets with random strangers?" People who know me well tend to see me break out into song randomly as if I was indeed in a musical, thinking I am crazy, I'm sure.
In 2012, a little film called "Pitch Perfect" about a group of female a Capella singers in college was released. It was a very fun movie with unique, a capella musical arrangements of popular songs, laugh-out-loud moments, and uber-likable characters who you rooted for every step of the way. It was the ultimate modern-day musical. The film generated solid box office results in its theatrical release, but it really exploded when it was released for home viewers on DVD/Blu-ray. The original song from the film entitled "Cups" even became a hit and was played all over the radio. A sequel was inevitable.
In "Pitch Perfect 2," The Bellas have gained national recognition. The start of the film has them performing for a huge crowd which includes President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Fat Amy (the side-splittingly funny Rebel Wilson) has a wardrobe malfunction that causes the Bellas extreme embarrassment and banishment from further performances.The only way they can regain their status and ability to perform is to enter an International Competition and win. The catch? No American team has ever won.
Elizabeth Banks, star of the first and second films, makes her directorial debut here and shows her potential to make enjoyable, humorous films. She follows the same basic formula from the first film, and it works splendidly. The musical numbers are grandiose and beautifully sung, plenty of moments in the film are laugh-out-loud, and all of the characters are once again likable and easy to cheer on.
What also works is how the films shows that the characters have other worries than just performing with their college group. Anna Kendrick's character is working on obtaining a job in the music industry and thinking about her future as she's about to graduate college. While she does want her Bellas to regain their glory, she has bigger concerns and seems to be the only one seriously thinking about the future. This leads to conversations and conflicts between and among characters that I found to be intelligent and realistic. These moments in the film set a good example for today's youth.
Another thing to point out is Rebel Wilson. How is it that she has not gained the notoriety of Melissa McCarthy and headlined her own film? She is absolutely hilarious. I swear there isn't one thing she does in this movie that isn't funny. She even gets her own solo in the film, and it does not disappoint.
If you liked the first film, you will certainly enjoy this one. While I don't feel that it is better than the first, it comes close.
In 2012, a little film called "Pitch Perfect" about a group of female a Capella singers in college was released. It was a very fun movie with unique, a capella musical arrangements of popular songs, laugh-out-loud moments, and uber-likable characters who you rooted for every step of the way. It was the ultimate modern-day musical. The film generated solid box office results in its theatrical release, but it really exploded when it was released for home viewers on DVD/Blu-ray. The original song from the film entitled "Cups" even became a hit and was played all over the radio. A sequel was inevitable.
In "Pitch Perfect 2," The Bellas have gained national recognition. The start of the film has them performing for a huge crowd which includes President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Fat Amy (the side-splittingly funny Rebel Wilson) has a wardrobe malfunction that causes the Bellas extreme embarrassment and banishment from further performances.The only way they can regain their status and ability to perform is to enter an International Competition and win. The catch? No American team has ever won.
Elizabeth Banks, star of the first and second films, makes her directorial debut here and shows her potential to make enjoyable, humorous films. She follows the same basic formula from the first film, and it works splendidly. The musical numbers are grandiose and beautifully sung, plenty of moments in the film are laugh-out-loud, and all of the characters are once again likable and easy to cheer on.
What also works is how the films shows that the characters have other worries than just performing with their college group. Anna Kendrick's character is working on obtaining a job in the music industry and thinking about her future as she's about to graduate college. While she does want her Bellas to regain their glory, she has bigger concerns and seems to be the only one seriously thinking about the future. This leads to conversations and conflicts between and among characters that I found to be intelligent and realistic. These moments in the film set a good example for today's youth.
Another thing to point out is Rebel Wilson. How is it that she has not gained the notoriety of Melissa McCarthy and headlined her own film? She is absolutely hilarious. I swear there isn't one thing she does in this movie that isn't funny. She even gets her own solo in the film, and it does not disappoint.
If you liked the first film, you will certainly enjoy this one. While I don't feel that it is better than the first, it comes close.