by Madison Schoonover

The “We’re back, pitches” slogan built just the right amount of excitement for the Pitch Perfect sequel. Released on May 15th, the iconic acapella group, the Bellas, return in the highly-anticipated Pitch Perfect 2. It had been two years since the Bellas were last in action, and the movie soundtrack made it to the top of the charts. It’s no surprise the sequel was put into production so quickly after the first movie came out.

Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, and Adam DeVine came together as the stars of the movie once again. It follows the Bellas actively attempting to gain their reign as an acapella group back as they prepare for the acapella World Finals. However, it also follows Kendrick’s character, Beca, as she tries to figure out how to make a music career of her own after college. As a side plot, Wilson and DeVine’s characters, Fat Amy and Bumper, are not-so-surprisingly discovering and exploring their feelings for each other throughout the film. Both of these plots prove that the movie isn’t just focused on the hilarious punchlines or crazy occurrences (like Fat Amy not wearing underwear and flashing the President of the United States). There are very realistic struggles for the main characters because, after all, they’re graduating college. It can’t all just be fun and games.

“I liked how it was about young women trying to find success in their last year of college,” Senior Kaylee Tyeryar said. “It’s a fun movie that all ages can see because it’s not inappropriate!”

Barack and Michelle Obama made a special appearance at the beginning of the movie with their hilariously stoic faces in reaction to Fat Amy’s incident.  The beginning of the movie set the time, the mood, and actually kept the audience laughing for about 15 minutes straight. It was brilliantly done. The lines, the songs they sung, the acting — amazing.

“It was young women going for their dreams, not to mention the riff  was really good.” Senior Celine Ritchie said.

Overall, much better than the first movie The songs were catchy, it was hilarious and interesting for the entire duration of the movie. I found myself not wanting it to end.