Anna Kendrick and her singing sisters are back. This time competing against a superior German group in a series of increasingly impressive arrangements and routines. Routine is the operative word and “second album syndrome” looms large in Pitch Perfect 2.

The beats are slick, the jokes quick, and for a while Banks successfully conducts the Bellas away from a cover of their number one hit.

If only the sequel were more tightly tuned. Stuffed to bloating point with original cast and stalled by a dragging midsection, the film loses its breath and only recovers at the climax.

Whilst it’s fun in the high notes and high jinks, Pitch Perfect 2 has too many low notes to compete with the original. Aca-average. 

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine

DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Banks

WRITERS: Kay Cannon (screenplay) & Mickey Rapkin (characters)

SYNOPSIS: After a collegiate a cappella ban, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status.