Pitch Perfect 2 * * * 1/2

I guess with any sequel it helps to have seen the first one, though you’ll probably still have a good time with this if you haven’t.  It features a gang of girls from a lower level university who sing a capella. They call themselves the Barden Bellas and take their singing a lot more seriously than their studies.  The first Pitch Perfect was a sleeper. From looking like a box office failure it grew into a film of enormous popularity, both in DVD sales and cinema re-runs.

Actress Elizabeth Banks produced the first one and on PP2 she has decided to give directing a go too.  It’s always a worry when an actor gets that idea into their head, but to be honest she has done a great job.  However it looks like she wasn't taking any chances and called the script doctors in to sharpen the opening and closing scenes.  You won’t be walking out of this in the first 15 minutes; it’s hysterical!  And the end will leave you on a high too.  It’s gets a bit meandering in the middle but you can forgive that because there’s a punch line every few minutes.  The gang are all there (living in the tidiest student house I've ever seen) and a new girl get’s to join.  She makes a few wrong moves but is soon part of the gang.  Their nemesis boy band The Treblemakers are still there but now they are friends.  The real challenge to the Barden Bella’s now is a German a cappella  group who are as smooth and efficient as a Porsche 911; including their ability to dis the Barden Bellas.  Popular characters Fat Amy played by Australia’s Rebel Wilson continues to be a fabulous role-model for “fat-chicks” everywhere; Anna Kendrick as Beca steps up from being the insecure and difficult girl to a leader and more; and we still can’t hear a word the Korean girl is saying. But best of all (for me anyway) are the wonderful politically incorrect commentators John and Gail (Gail is played by Elizabeth Banks herself). 

Pitch Perfect 2 is a lot of fun with some fine a cappella singing and will probably be as successful as the first one - and a lot quicker too! Oh, and please don't walk out when the credits start to roll as the fun continues.