Pitch Perfect 2 Parent Guide

Pitch Perfect 2 is a duet of the best and worst. Whether they are harmonizing around a campfire or competing in a spontaneous sing-off organized by a rich eccentric in silk pajamas, the “college students” in this movie prove they have the vocal talent to hit all the right notes. And thankfully the film has plenty of those musical moments.

As well, the music club encourages the development of life-long friendships for many of the participants who sing together. Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) is a newcomer to the Barden University Bellas. Her mother (Katey Sagal) was a Bella in her college days and still keeps in contact with many of the former group members. Since Emily’s birth she has been prepping her daughter to audition for the a cappella choir.

However the script goes off-key when the music stops and the storyline takes over. After winning three consecutive championships, the all-female singers are invited to perform for the First Couple (played by Barack and Michelle Obama). But Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) has a wardrobe malfunction while she is suspended overhead in an aerial ribbon. Her leotard rips from stem to stern leaving her bare crotch on public display. Like Janet Jackson’s unwelcome exposure, the incident is on every news show in the nation and results in the Bellas being suspended from collegiate competition. Their only hope of redeeming themselves is to participate in a worldwide event being held in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, an American team has never won the contest that has been dominated by the Germans.

Thanks to movies like The Hangover and Bridesmaids, more and more screenwriters seem to think comedy can’t be funny unless it’s crass. As a result, the characters in this movie drag themselves through a slough of crude and sexual jokes. Fat Amy’s southern revelation is an ongoing gag. However, there is also sexual tension between the Bella’s leader Beca (Anna Kendrick) and the female lead of the German team (Brigitte Hjort Sorensen). Rude anatomical commentary and other suggestive innuendo litter this script that appears intent on taking a jab at everyone possible. Koreans, Jews, homosexuals, cheerleaders, interns, The Wiggles, Christians, Green Bay Packers and even competition hosts all take a supposedly humorous beating in this film.

This movie may be pitch perfect when it comes to the songs, yet there is nothing harmonious about the production’s obsession with the tasteless jokes. Audience members who don’t find these characters’ potty mouths to be either entertaining or particularly funny will find the tiresome and disappointing dialogue upstages the impressive musical numbers.

About author

Kerry Bennett

Kerry Bennett is interested in media from both a journalist and parent perspective. Along with authoring articles for several family-oriented publications, she has written for Parent Previews for over 15 years. As a parent herself, she believes parents play a powerful role in teaching media literacy in their homes.