Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 2: London Release
As smart and funny as Mean Girls, Pitch Perfect was the surprise hit of 2013 making stars of its female leading cast. With the sequel released on 15 May, we explain why this delightful franchise is music to our ears.
The Bellas are back, and this time they're going global. If this reference is lost on you, you're probably not a teenager. To you, the audiences who adored the original Pitch Perfect, who swiftly YouTubed how to sing along to a cup, were merely gullible tween-boppers of the Belieber vein. Allow us to initiate you to the choir.
Watch Anna Kendrick, singing Pitch Perfect-ly
Pitch Perfect was a new female comedy movie which followed the story of Beca, played with cool-girl smarts by Anna Kendrick, and her unwilling ascension in the ranks of college a cappella group 'the Barden Bellas'. With a premise appealing to the Glee demographic, Pitch Perfect went on to out-perform itself both critically and commercially. It's become one of the highest grossing musical comedies of all time, and praise was heaped on the sharp script, inventive use of pop music and above all the zinging cast, including breakout comedy star Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids). Happily, the entire finely tuned ensemble return for the sequel, which sees the girls face the prospect of graduation.
First time director, Elizabeth Banks
After an on-stage mishap involving indecent exposure and the US President (to the tune of Miley Cyrus's 'Wrecking Ball', naturally) the choir must rally together to regain their harmonizing-cred. They vow to win a worldwide a cappella competition, a title destined to evade American clutches forever. Think Britain's chances at Eurovision. Actress Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, The Lego Movie) who so successfully produced the original here makes her debut as director. Banks has described the opportunity as her 'dream job' and we're excited to see her career develop with this new role.
Pitch Perfect 2 cast
Besides these promising tidbits, Pitch Perfect 2 prompts the return of its sarcastic but sweet heroine Beca; otherwise known as the role that marked Kendrick as the voice keeping movie-musicals in business. For such an accomplished actress (Anna Kendrick was nominated for an Oscar aged 23 for Up In The Air) her dual vocal talent is truly remarkable.
Her solo from the original, 'Cups' charted at number 6 in the US and clips of her singing have become viral hits. She's since lent her considerable talents to musical fantasy Into the Woods and musical romance The Last Five Years (read our interview with co-star Jeremy Jordan here) consistently proving herself an engaging actor and magnetic performer.
Satirical not cynical, warm not soppy, Pitch Perfect 2 looks to be one of the best all-female comedy movies we've seen since Bridesmaids.
The film promises a riot of songs, comedy and performances from its dynamite cast that are, dare we say it...pitched just perfectly. 
Pitch Perfect 2 UK release date
Watch Pitch Perfect 2 in London cinemas from 15 May.