Pitch Perfect 2
Far from a classic college movie for Generation Y, Pitch Perfect in 2012 redefined the boundaries of the American comedy genre. Drawing in hordes of girls to the cinema, crowding round to watch the DVD over and over, it tackled a totally different, somewhat self-conscious subject matter with a predominantly female cast. It was sharp, witty, dirty, inclusive, brilliant.
The fandom surrounding the unexpected success of the first has risen to fever pitch and ever higher with the release of the second installment. Pitch Perfect 2 hits cinemas at a moment when women are more aware than ever of themselves as a targeted demographic for Hollywood filmmakers, and can sense condescension a mile off. It’s a shame, then, that Pitch Perfect 2 loses what made the first film so, well, perfect: that it was rough round the edges.
The first impression the sequel bestows is that it’s been totally Hollywood-ified. Some of the Bellas are almost unrecognisable under the tan and hair dye, and the flimsy plot is utterly predictable at best from the first. Yes, it’s still laugh-out-loud funny, so kudos to the comedy brains behind the script, but the jokes work because they’re the same as before.
Pitch Perfect 2 kicks off with a full-frontal view of Fat Amy’s vagina. There goes the Bellas’ crown. The rest of the film is dedicated to proving to the world that the all-girl group have still got it, with some serious mishaps and slapstick tropes along the way. Beca (Anna Kendrick) isn’t so much awkward teen as flat-out hostile for the sake of it here, while Amy (Rebel Wilson) finally gets her fair share of the limelight – her solo one of the best scenes in the whole film. The introduction of the new generation – Hailee Steinfeld as Emily – is cringe-inducingly crowbarred in from the outset though, which doesn’t bode well for what now looks like the future of the franchise.
This film touches on some ever-relevant topics – the fragility of friendships, being judged by others, desire to succeed and moving on – and the romance is cleverly sidelined in favour of spotlighting the importance of female friendships. With some brilliant a cappella arrangements, cracking one-liners delivered at the speed of lightning and a healthy dose of competition, Pitch Perfect 2 convinces you that it’s really trying. There’s no lack of sincerity, just a muddled sense of misdirection and too heavy a reliance on what made the first film a smash hit.
Despite all that, there’s no doubt that Elizabeth Banks has directed a film that will have you rumbling with laughter in your seat. Scandalous, cheesy and not without its share of heartwarming moments, Pitch Perfect 2 still just about hits the mark. You’d better aca-believe it.
★★★
Georgia Mizen
nowasIwrite
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