Pitch Perfect 2.
Camera IconPitch Perfect 2. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

On key to a successful sequel

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

CINEMAS have been suffering from sequel fever recently with the release of Furious 7, Insurgent and The Second Best Marigold Hotel, and Pitch Perfect 2 is the frothy latest in the line-up.

Struggling to recapture the freshness, though still managing to retain the fun-factor of the first, Pitch Perfect 2 is set three years since alternative music producer wannabe Beca (Anna Kendrick) joined college a capella group, the Barden Bellas, and adulthood is just around the corner.

She secures an internship at a record studio to kick-start her career just as the Bellas disgrace themselves with a wardrobe malfunction during a performance in front of President Barack Obama and must redeem themselves.

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Their mishap gets them thrown out of the national competition so they sign up for an international competitioninstead � one an American team has never won.

Bella newcomer Emily (Hailee Steinfeld), who writes her own music, joins the team, whose aim is to get back in the game and beat an intimidating German team.

This sequel ramps up the politically incorrect humour, throws in three love stories and adds new characters and more Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), but director Elizabeth Banks fails to put an original stamp on the film, which is essentially a copy and paste job, sticking fairly close to the formula established in the original.

Having said that, she knows how to put a smile on everyone's face and get their feet tapping.

New addition Steinfeld is a treat and Wilson steals the show once again with her deadpan delivery of hilarious gags, but the entire cast are appealing company to keep again.

More impressive than the girl-power message in the script is the diversity of the cast, which covers many racial bases, none of which are immune to the occasional dig.

While the pitch might not quite be perfect the second time around, this is still an aca-awesome hoot.

Pitch Perfect 2 (M)

Directed by: Elizabeth Banks

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld

Three and a half stars

Review by: Julian Wright

In cinemas now