Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), PG-13, ★★

The Bellas competing...again. 

"I'm singing, I have a voice and I'm singing. I HAVE A VOICE AND I'M SINGING..."

Ok, that's from Elf. It is not the best Segway ever but we'll go from there. Anyway, singing or more specifically, a cappella groups capture the authenticity of how a song is processed with only their mouths mostly with beatboxing, singing and maybe vocalizing with being a back-up and if it is done correctly, it is crazy and quite extraordinary. For example, Pentatonix has a vocal style ranging from their own percussion. It is unbelievable. However, the first Pitch Perfect movie took me by surprise on how fun the film was and how dynamic most of the characters are in the film. But, this sequel felt like the same movie and I felt because they are more comfortable, most of the jokes are scattered and forced and takes the entertaining value away from my interest.

The Barden Bellas - led by Beca (Anna Kendrick), consisting of Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), Chloe (Brittany Snow), Cynthia-Rose (Ester Dean), Stacie (Alexis Knapp), Lilly (Hana Mae Lee), Jessica (Kelley Jakle), Ashley (Shelley Ragner) and their newest addition, Flo (Chrissie Fit) performing "Timber" at an a cappella tournament with the Obamas in attendance. Commentating the event are once again the hosts - John and Gail (John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks). An incident occurs when Fat Amy comes out hanging on a silk singing "Wrecking Ball", suddenly swung upside down and ripping her outfit where she spins around to the audience giving the view of "down under".

The incident becomes nationwide news and they are reported to the university's dean where the Bellas are suspended from performing in any a cappella showcase. Their best best is to compete in A Capella World Tournament and both John and Gail laugh it off as the U.S. has never won the competition. It sort of gives the Bellas the confidence.

Beca secretly starts an internship at a recording studio with her boss (Keegan Michael-Key) telling her and the other interns that Snoop Dogg is going to record a Christmas album with them but wants to add a fresh spin to the album. Chloe, meanwhile, registers the Bellas for the world competition in Copenhagen. Emily (Hailee Seinfeld), who is a freshman, stops by the house to audition and because of her mom (Katey Sagal) being a Legacy Belle, they officially make her a Bella. Now, it is on. What will happen if every Bella finds out about her internship and what will happen in the Worlds competition?

The hosts commentating, I suppose. 

Man, I wanted to like this movie but I just could not because of my expectations towards this movie due to the success of the first movie. I have seen the first movie recently, in addition to the few others this week, and even though I was not crazy with the first scene, the movie was actually still very good. The characters were all stereotypical but they all had charm and the dialogue is funny but a bit crazy with the "A-ca lines". However, the movie feels like a fake reunion with all the forced jokes and funny jokes scattered all over the place and the structure is inconsistent with what's going on with the characters especially with The Bellas. Also, I don't understand why this movie feel like the seniors have to be a bit stupid in other situations as they are about to graduate. That's not really how seniors interact upon graduation and a competition.

Anna Kendrick is still great to watch on-screen as she plays a confident female who wants to still aspire to have a career with music especially during the scenes in her internship and has its ups and downs. However, with her scenes with the Bellas, it's a little awkward. The scene-stealing Rebel Wilson is still funny with the interaction with the Bellas, however, even though it has a sweet love story with her and Bumper (Adam DeVine), it feels like it was added last minute. Steinfeld is solid but does not add anything to the film. Higgins and Banks have a few good one-liners but the commentating is not their best in the movie. However, the best character is actually Beca's boss and I wanted more scenes with him during the internship because it had the most interesting storyline and could have added more emphasis to the "behind-the-scenes" of the work environment.

Director Elizabeth Banks is now behind this sequel and tries to do all she can to make the sequel different but it's the same storyline as the first movie except it is now on a bigger scale where it's on a global environment and that storyline is predictable and I wanted more suspense. No spoilers but you catch my drift. With the characters, the structure is unorganized with its jokes, settings, especially in the retreat which is unnecessary in the film, and the singing. I do like the singing but the rendition of the songs are a bit unmemorable except for the last performance. But, this movie was a disappointment and I am hoping the next movie, if there is one, will have more emphasis with the characters with their music backgrounds and dwindling interaction. It's not "A-ca-fabulous."

**