Movie Madness: Pitch Perfect 2

Well it's time for another Movie Madness post! Sorry for the long wait between reviews - I genuinely don't know where the time went! Also, as mentioned in a previous post, my laptop did die for a while though it's been holding up pretty well all weekend (fingers crossed it continues).

Anyway, a few weeks ago I went to see Pitch Perfect 2. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's the sequel to the awesome Pitch Perfect (an absolutely hilarious film that you should definitely watch, even if you don't like musicals!). It follows on from the first film where we once again get immersed in the life of college a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, as they fall from grace and try to turn their fortunes around by competing in an international a cappellla competition. But with the group falling apart on all sides, can they make it through to the finals and beat the infamous Das Sound Machine at their own game?

Pitch Perfect 2 basically follows the same formula as the first film: lots of singing, lots of gags and a whole lot of girls having fun. While it is a decent film, I couldn't help but continually compare it to the first, and although it was entertaining, I was left feeling a little dissatisfied.

Although some of the gags were hilarious - Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins are comedy gold - after a while I began to feel a bit too inundated with jokes, as though the writers were trying to cram in as much as possible when there really wasn't any need to. While I laughed out loud all the way through PP1, this film had had me smiling and giggling but some of the 'wow' factor simply wasn't there. Some of the loveable characters from the first film (i.e. Jesse) were given barely any screen time in order to make way for new talent, which I found disappointing. If I'm completely honest, I felt at times that the story could've continued just as well without new girl Emily (Hailee Steinfeld), as she really didn't add anything to the plot other than to throw occasional angst into the mix.

In terms of plot, it follows the first film quite closely as the Barden Bellas fall from grace, try to get their act together and then enter a competition to prove their worth - but I guess if you've got a winning formula, why change it, right? There were a couple of interesting developments (the weird house party in place of the poolside riff off, Bumper and Fat Amy's relationship, and Beca having a life outside of the Bellas) but I didn't feel like anything astoundingly new was brought to the table.

Overall, despite not having the 'wow' factor of the first film, I would definitely recommend going and seeing this film if you fancy a night out with the girls (or boys! There were SO MANY boys in the cinema when we went to see this - it was awesome). If you love a cappella and the first film, like me, then this is a must-see - the songs are great, and it's an easy feel-good film that will have you wanting to sing your heart out when you leave. Just don't be too disappointed if it doesn't *quite* live up to your expectations from the first film.

Have you seen Pitch Perfect 2? Did you enjoy it? Do you prefer the first or second film? Would you ever consider joining an a cappella group??