Swinging into Pitch Perfect 2, the very funny and uplifting musical offers a good time for the over 13 crowd and it’s now on Blu-ray and DVD. The whole cast is returning from the first episode and they are in a battle to keep their legacy intact. You’ll be treated to the antics of your favorites from last year and a group of new characters who will rock the house. Jam packed with special features, other than Disney releases no other studio gives home viewers this many extras on Blu-ray. Available for home viewing on September 22.
Its senior year and the Bardon Bella’s are already getting heart aches for their college. However, at a recent Presidential performance they almost lost their legacy when Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) had a costume tear that embarrassed the first family and the rest of the televised world. The mistake cost them a chance to defend their American title and has put them in a tailspin about to lose their long standing a cappella legacy. At a car show where the Bellas were slated to perform they meet the world champion a cappella group Das Sound Machine” from Germany. When they get word about the world championships coming up in Denmark they make a deal with the college that if they win the world event that the Bellas will get reinstated on campus.
The script plays out at an enjoyable pace with the typical antics and harmonies in the first film. The competition gets just as hot and heavy in Pitch Perfect 2 with the Bellas coming up with a finale that’s much better than the first. Director Elizabeth Banks takes over from Jason Moore and gives the film a fine tuning making it a bit more challenging and turning up the romance between Fat Amy and Bumper (Adam Divine), likewise between Becca (Anna Kendrick) and Benji (Ben Platt). While Becca’s love story looks more of a rehash from the first film, Amy and Bumper get a little over-the-top and out of control at times with the sexual allusions. I don’t know if you call it spicing up a script or using the scenes for shock value.
The songs and presentations of the a cappella groups are outstanding and will have you joining in as they did in the first film. Much like the earlier Step-up films teens should have a lot of fun with Pitch Perfect 2. What makes this a stand-out however, comes with the performances of Elizabeth Banks as Gail and John Michael Higgins as John Smith the announcers at the world competitions. Even at home watching the film for the first time, my midsection became sore from laughing at their banter about the Bellas and everyone else in the competition.
The Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack has a ton of bonus features all of which are good.
BONUS FEATURES:
“Bonus Songs Performed by the Treblemakers”
“Extended Musical Performance”
“Das Sound Machine Finale Breakdown”
“Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes”
“Gag Reel”
“Line ACA-Rama”
“Green Bay Rap”
“Elizabeth Banks Directorial Debut”
“The Bellas are Back”
“ACA-Camp”
“The Making of the Riff-Off”
“The World Championships of A Capella”
“Snoop is in the House”
“An ACA-Love Story: Bumper and Fat Amy”
“Residual Heat Internship”
“Legacy: Hailee Steinfeld”
“Feature Commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producers Paul
Brooks and Max Handleman”
Pitch Perfect has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for innuendo and language. The innuendo’s referred in the rating are of sexual of nature.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very funny and well directed film. (B)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, and Shelley Regner with Adam Divine and Ben Platt.
Director: Elizabeth Banks
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for Language and Innuendoes
Genre: Comedy, Music
Running Time: 1 hr. 55 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: May 15, 2015
Video Release Date: September 22, 2015
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray (Also available in DVD and Combo Pack)
Audio: Blu-ray- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, DVD- Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: HD Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Number of Discs: Blu-ray/DVD Combo 2 Discs, + Digital HD Download
Distributed by: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
