Wednesday, June 10, 2015 THE KERSHAW NEWS-ERA Page 7

By Joseph Garris Jr.Entertainment Editor

The Barden Bellas and their eclec-tic talents and personalities, are backfor Pitch Perfect 2, which includessome fresh faces. It’s a fun sequelthat’s good enough to stand next tothe initial film, the surprise 2012hit, which introduced us all to theworld of a capella talent contests.

The original cast is at it againalbeit some with much smaller roles.Anna Kendrick as Beca was absolute-ly wonderful in the original movieand she’s charming in this one. Itjust feels a little watered down andnot as inspired. The plot takes Becain another direction as she pursues aninternship with a music label.

While the decision keeps the nar-rative relevant, it also takes Becaaway from the group and minimizesthe hilarious exchanges her characterhad with the other members of theBellas throughout the first movie.It’s a relatively small issue againstan otherwise pleasant and reallyfunny sequel.

The film opens with the Bellasperforming for President and Mrs.Obama at Lincoln Center, the loca-tion of a total of three champi-onships beginning with the firstmovie. Things are going pretty gooduntil Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) islowered from the ceiling on silks andbecomes entangled.

To make a long story short, sheends up tearing her pants and expos-

ing herself to their illustrious guests.The performance draws criticism, andthe Bellas end up getting kicked outof the competition circuit.

Beca and Chloe (Brittany Snow)appeal to competition organizers andcommentators John and Gail (JohnMichael Higgins and ElizabethBanks). They agree to exonerate theBellas if they can win an internation-al a capella competition. The prob-lem is that no American team hasever won.

Banks directs Pitch Perfect 2 witha script from Kay Cannon, who wasresponsible for the original movie.In her directorial debut, Banks does agood job of keeping the story mov-ing at a solid pace with numerous

funny gags along the way.Some of the funniest one-liners

come from Higgins and Banks,whose brief interludes during compe-tition provide some of the mostmemorable moments of the movie.There are hilarious scenes involvingBeca and a music producer played byKeegan-Michael Key, and Wilson yetagain proves to be a scene stealer.

Fat Amy is given a bigger charac-ter arc this time, including a buddingromance with Bumper, played byAdam DeVine. The subplot givesviewers a handful of scenes that arereally well done, including an amus-ing sing-off of Pat Benatar’s “WeBelong” as the two characters confesstheir mutual affections.

Newcomer Hailee Steinfield is awelcome addition as the Bella legacytrying to convince the group thatthey should inject more originalmusic into their performance insteadof just covers.

Pitch Perfect 2 features even bet-ter music than the original withgreater variety. The musical numbersare excellent, particularly“Flashlight,” which will make youwant to sing right along.

It’s not a flawless movie. In fact,the film hits many of the same notesas the original. Fortunately, the castis so charismatic and fun that youwon’t bother to notice. It’s as stylishand energetic as the first movie andwell worth a date-night viewing.

Pitch Perfect 2Director:

Elizabeth Banks

Cast: Anna Kendrick, BrittanySnow, Rebel Wilson, John

Michael Higgins, ElizabethBanks

Runtime:1 hr, 54 mins

Rating: PG-13 for innuendoand language

Grade: B-

Pitch Perfect 2Wednesday, Thursday - 4:30Poltergeist Wednesday, Thursday - 7:00San AndreasFriday, Saturday - 4:40, 7:00

Entourage12:15. 2:50, 5:25, 8:00, 10:35

Insidious: Chapter 312:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:45, 10:20

Pitch Perfect 210:30AM, 1:10, 1:40, 3:55, 4:25, 7:05, 7:35,9:45, 10:15

Poltergeist12:50, 3:10, 7:55

San Andreas1:10, 4:00, 7:10

Spy10:15AM, 10:45AM, 1:00, 2:00, 3:55, 4:55,7:20, 7:50, 10:15, 10:45

Girl power sequel hits all the right notes

Answers:1.D, 2.B, 3.D, 4.C

Fast and Furious 7 Director James Wan has

got some pretty big projects coming up in the next

few years.

According to reports, Wan has been selected to

direct DC’s Aquaman and Sony’s big screen adaptation

of Robotech. He is working alongside screenwriter

Kurt Johnstad (Act of Valor, 300) to pen scripts.

Aquaman is tentatively scheduled for a 2018

release. Wan won’t likely begin working on that film

until he’s wrapped up on The Conjuring sequel, subti-

tled The Endfield Experiment.

No release date has been set for that film.

WO R D O N T H E ST R E E T. . .

San AndreasNightly - 7:10

SpyNightly - 7:00