Perfect Pitch 2

Pitch Perfect 2 is less a sequel to the surprise hit that inspired it than a weak cover version. Most of the cast of the first film seem happy to return, and there are some delightful new characters, but, unfortunately, Elizabeth Banks, who makes her feature directing debut here, and screenwriter Kay Cannon, who also penned the first script, have trouble deciding where to focus the second installment. With a larger cast, more prestigious locales and a more ambitious score, the duo can be forgiven if they have trouble deciding what to cut and what to keep this time around.

The new film begins similarly to the first, as the Barden University Bellas manage to land a prestigious audience, in this case with the U.S. president himself. And as with the previous tale, an onstage disaster, in this case a horrific wardrobe malfunction involving the rambunctious Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), turns the all-female a cappella combo into a viral laughing stock.

Because the debacle happened within full view of a disgusted "first couple," the university forces the Bellas out of collegiate competition for the rest of the year. Because the women in the group, particularly Chloe (Brittany Snow), have put so much of their lives into the group, the punishment seems akin to death.

Part of the reason Pitch Perfect 2 feels longer than its two-hour running time is that the existential crisis that drives it doesn't seem all that grave.

Before the Bellas have a chance to mope, they pursue a contest in Copenhagen where they'll compete against the best vocal groups from across the globe. Not much time passes between their exile and their return to musical battle, so it doesn't seem like anything is at stake. Yes, they're up against a menacing German group (what Teutonic combo isn't scary?) Das Sound Machine, but losing to Germans anywhere but the battlefield doesn't seem all that urgent.

If the Bellas have lost an outlet, they have gained a freshman named Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) who can write material, if she can ever finish her song fragments. Another complication arises when their mix master and musical leader Beca (Anna Kendrick) lands an internship with a successful local recording studio.

She winds up serving coffee to Snoop Dogg (having a ball playing himself) and a producer (Key and Peele's Keegan-Michael Key) who seems a little too pleased with his accomplishments.

Beca's relationship with her boss could have made an entertaining film in itself. The man may be a bellicose dictator, but he's smart enough to shut up and listen. Watching Beca blossom under his tough love is more fun than listening to stale wisecracks and celebrity cameos that aren't that amusing.

Cannon also seems determined to find a beau for almost every Bella. The flirtations lead nowhere and make the space between musical numbers seem wider and more barren.

As with the last film, the reworked tunes and choreography are consistently entertaining. The old Journey hit "Anyway You Want It" is a lot more engaging with just vocalists meshing their sounds into it. Maybe Steve Perry and Neil Schon subconsciously had that in mind when they wrote the tune.

Banks needs a lesson in pacing, but she and John Michael Higgins are back as the podcast commentators who share their fatuous insights into the competition. One wonders why someone might listen to commentators during a song, but then again people stupid enough to talk over the music are guaranteed to be good for a laugh.

Still, the film's highlight might be the a cappella version of the Universal theme song that plays when the studio logo appears before the film properly gets underway.

MovieStyle on 05/15/2015