PITCH PERFECT 2

[text_block_nav title=”The Plot”]”Pitch Perfect 2″ is the definition of a sequel that doesn’t matter. I mean, “Escape from LA” had the excuse that younger people might not have seen the previous movie. But, “Pitch Perfect 2” goes out of its way to lift entire scenes from the first film. The only difference here is that the gang goes bigger, International and they add the cute girl from True Grit. Tack onto that some far worse pop songs and you’ve got a movie that somehow gave “Fury Road” the business.[/text_block_nav][text_block_nav title=”What Troy Thought”]I became intimate with the first film, as it played on a rotation between Blu-Ray and HBO at my house. I learned the aca language, the full Barden Bellas roster and every beat of the film. I wanted more of the nearly mute Asian and far less of Rebel Wilson. But, wish in one hand and crap in the other.

Such a Police Academy analogy works for this film. The constant push to retread familiar ground is only met by the constant need to cram cameos at every moment of the film. The movie succeeds when it leans into its established characters and works on the Bellas’ relationship. Far too often, the film feels like girl power, joke, musical number, joke, Bumper mugging, Rebel Wilson being fat, girl power and music.[/text_block_nav][text_block_nav title=”Conclusion”]The film isn’t a successful narrative ala the first one. It is a tried and true fast food formula crafted for a dwindling theatrical audience that would rather pirate the film than support it. But, the opening weekend worked because everybody went out with their girls to go see it. I had a rather mean rant here about Anna Kendrick’s resting bitch face pose that she chose for the marketing of the film. Ultimately, I can’t be bothered to care any further about this film.[/text_block_nav]