LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 'Pitch Perfect 2'


Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) steals the show in "Pitch Perfect 2," the follow-up to 2012's surprise hit. Photo Richard Cartwright

The pitch is in tune in "Pitch Perfect 2"! The Bella's are back in the sequel to the 2012 surprise hit, "Pitch Perfect," which was made on a $17 million production budget and grossed $65 million at the U.S. box office. Moviegoers knew a sequel would be in the works with those results. This time, everyone's favorite a capella group - the Barden University Bellas - must regain their glory after a humiliating wardrobe malfunction by Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) that was witnessed by the president of the United States while they performed at the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. With nowhere else to turn, the Bellas enter an international competition that no American a cappella group has ever won.

The solid ensemble cast from the original movie returns in "Pitch Perfect 2," which includes Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick (Beca), comedian Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy), Brittany Snow (Chloe), Ester Dean (Cynthia), Hana Mae Lee (Lily) and Alexis Knapp (Stacie). Beca is a senior at Barden and working as an intern at a record label company when Chloe discovers that Beca is more interested in her career. The Bellas once again must pull it all together and find the "perfect pitch."

Two-time Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Banks ("30 Rock") takes the directing reins and keeps the movie going at a quick, witty pace. She also does another superb job as the color commentary co-host, Gail, at the a cappella contests. As sequels go, the movie hits all the right notes and holds its own as an entertaining, enjoyable comedy. Once again it is Wilson (Fat Amy) who steals the stage. The girl is hilarious and I would say the funniest woman in Hollywood. She deserves her own movie.

"Pitch Perfect 2" is rated PG-13 for innuendos and language.