By Teri Bayus

I am the first one to admit that I am a show-choir geek. I have loved them since sixth grade, performed with them and was thrilled when they started showing up on the big and small screen.
I thought it was an infinitely small group that felt this way, and I am glad that I was wrong and the world supports and demanded another making of Pitch Perfect.
Pitch Perfect 2 is loosely adapted from Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book titled, “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory.”
The film centers on the fictional Barden University and The Bellas, an-all female a cappella singing group. This time around, the group is led by Becca (Anna Kendrick) and Chloe (Brittany Snow).
Following an incident involving the klutzy Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and an unforeseeable wardrobe malfunction in front of President Barack Obama and the First Lady, the Bellas are suspended from competing.
In order to regain their domestic status, the group tries to perform on the international circuit, which has never seen an American a cappella group compete in history. Facing off their über-foes, the massively efficient Das Sound Machine. This German singing group is beautiful, talented and a bit frightening.
This movie is so much better than the first one. It has the same formula but somehow enhanced. It has hysterical performances by the entire cast, even the boys who sing. I was crying in the theater from laughter from beginning to end. The comedy was so fun, integrating some of the jokes into singing.
Pitch Perfect 2 is blessed with an exceptional team of cinematographers, sound editors, sound mixers, costume designers, set decorators, and choreographers to assure that questionable humor and mean-spiritedness don’t overtake the project’s inherent charm.
The glitz, glamor, and beautiful decor of the sets and stages are a feast for the eyes, and never does the a cappella aspect get lost in the shuffle. This film is a collection of talent.
John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks (who produced and directed) once again display wonderful chemistry as the a cappella commentators. They have more scenes than before, and like with the rest of the film the comedy is more obvious.
There are some clever cameos from the President to the star defense of the Green Bay Packers. All in all, a laugh fest filled with music and great dance numbers. I was in heaven, but so was everyone around me.

Teri Bayus can be reached at: or follow my writing and ramblings at: www.teribayus.com. Bayus also hosts Taste Buds, a moving picture rendition of her reviews shown on Charter Ch. 10. Dinner and a Movie is a regular feature of Tolosa Press.