Pitch Perfect 2 MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +1 Content: -4

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Banks. Comedy/music. Directed by Elizabeth Banks.

FILM SYNOPSIS: 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.

PREVIEW REVIEW: More is less – this is a truism seldom chosen by makers of this era’s comedies. (I realize I must be careful with throwing stones at today’s funny people as I come from the generation that celebrated the Three Stooges and Jerry Lewis.) Pitch Perfect the sequel has more characters, more flub-up situations, and more music, yet we are left unsatisfied by countless misfires in humor and far too many moments of tedium. There’s nothing fresh in this follow-up, and once again the biggest laughs are generated from the “I-can’t-believe-I-just-heard-that” concept that dominates today’s comedy genre. You can forget observational humor when you’ve got a character named Fat Amy. All you can expect is that the wit will generate from obesity and sexuality and flatulence. Oh, and scads of gay gags. Most of the women seem to be in lust with one another and all of the guys are devoid of testosterone. As to the music, there’s lots of it. I’ll be kind. I’m looking for the correct, positive word to describe the songs…I’m thinking, I’m thinking.

Am I a snob when it comes to things that make audiences laugh? You be the judge.

Check out the following link. If you can’t find something here that amuses you, I may not be your critic of choice:

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Universal