Movie Review: Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Plot: After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

Rating: 7.5/10

I’ve only seen Pitch Perfect once, and it was on while I had a massive hangover. So, it might have been a crappy movie or I might just have at that stage been at a place where I would have hated any movie, but I don’t have fond recollections of my first meeting with the Barden Bellas. So naturally I didn’t do handsprings when hearing we would go watch PP2 but the thought of going to movie with some fun female friends and having a nice girls night definitely perked me up.

This movie was really enjoyable in a lighthearted way. It contains way less toilet humor than the first which counted in its favor. It follows basically the same formula – humiliation, staggering odds against them, etc., but it is better laid out and more heartwarming than the first one.

I find Rebel Wilson so funny as Fat Amy. I wish I could have one tenth of her confidence – life would be so sweet. She’s funny and her ceaseless energy at life is so amusing to watch. She provides for most of the laughs in the movie as she is the only real comedian in there, and every scene with her in is worth watching.

Anna Kendrick entertains again as Becca, the only grungy girl with a big attitude in the Bellas. This role suits her so much better than her whole Twilight escapade as Jessica. Elizabeth Banks is hilarious as the uppity news correspondent Gail is really amusing with the banter she and the horrifically sexist co-anchor share (John Michael Higgens). Its also really nice to see Brittany Snow (Chloe) out an about again – who didn’t LOVE her in John Tucker must die?! It was also a good idea to bring in Hailee Steinfeild as new Bella addition Emily. It provides some realism because these girls do need to graduate. Finally for the character mentions: Anna Camp is such a favorite of mine. I’ve been a fan since seeing her as the religious fanatic Sarah Newton in True Blood. She’s so funny!

What really makes this movie worth watching is the girl power that is in this movie. It’s about girls working together in a team, supporting each other and sticking together when things get rough. It is so nice that there is finally a franchise that girls are watching where romance isn’t the main factor of the movie. Sure, there is a bit of romance in, but the girls have aims other than getting the guy in Pitch Perfect.

Pitch Perfect 2 is an all out fun experience and made me feel very happy. Definitely worth the watch!

May 18, 2015May 16, 2015 by Natasha Categories: Movies, ReviewsTags: acapella, Anna Camp, Anna Kendrick, awesome movies, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks, Fat Amy, Hailee Steinfeld, hilarious, John Michael Higgens, Movies, Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2, Rebel Wilson, Reviews, The Bardon Bellas 6 Comments

Blindspot 2015: The Godfather Part II (1974)

“There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Plot: The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba.

Rating: 9.5/10

I rated this one exactly the same as I did the first one, although I have to confess that I liked the first one just a bit more. The second film is really really good, but it took just a few seconds longer to really start running. I thought it was brilliant to provide some insight into Vito Corleone’s past that had made him the man he was at the time of his death. Robert de Niro did a beautiful job as young Vito – he had that same quiet quality to him that Marlon Brando had displayed in part one. Al Pacino was again my main man Michael – he did a great job with such a fascinating character and was utterly convincing yet again. Even though there is no way that he is above board, I rooted for him all the way through. His wife, played by Diane Keaton, turned so reprehensible at the end and I was furious about all her baby-killing antics. Robert Duvall was again one of my favourite characters with his cool head and loyalty to the people that raised him.

The change between the story of Vito and the story of Michael was done really well. I thought both were of extreme significance because it also highlights the love Vito had for Michael and the dynamics that shaped both of them. It also highlights the similarities between father and son and that Michael would always firstly believe in protecting his family and being the head of the family.

The best thing about these two movies is that three hours rush by and you barely notice that it is happening. I thought the scenes were extremely well laid out and progressed beautifully into each other. The score is also really well done, and I even liked the horrendous yellow couches in Michael’s home.

These two movies have definitely been the best of my Blindspot series so far 😀

May 13, 2015August 11, 2015 by Natasha Categories: Movies, ReviewsTags: 2015, Al Pacino, awesome movies, Blindspot, Diane Keaton, Love, Michael Corleone, mob, mobsters, Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Vito Corleone 7 Comments