Pitch Perfect 2 Review

The Plot

The Barden Bellas are back for more Aca-awesome covers, and this time the stakes are higher. After embarrassing themselves in front of President Obama, Becca (Anna Kendrick) and her crew have the chance to redeem themselves. All it will take is winning the world championships…

The Good

It’s been nearly three years since Pitch Perfect appeared somewhat out of nowhere, to become a huge hit for Universal so of course a sequel was inevitable. Pitch Perfect 2 offers everything you’d expect in a sequel. It’s bigger and – ever so slightly – darker, thanks to the inclusion of the Barden Bellas’ new adversaries, German acapella group Das Sound Machine. While it’s all just a bit of fun, there’s no denying that Das Sound Machine are slightly intimidating, whether it be the way they tower over the Bellas or in Becca’s case, the sexual confusion that comes with any altercation…

Of course the old gang is back with fan favourites like Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and Benji (Ben Platt) and of course the brilliant commentary scattered throughout from John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks – who this time around also directs. But there are some nice additions too. Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) joins the Bellas as Emily, daughter of a past Bella who wants to prove herself. And we have the lovely addition of David Cross (Arrested Development) who serves as host of another version of the riff-off scene from the first film.

While the first Pitch Perfect was more of a romantic comedy, the sequel seems to focus less on that, giving more chances to see the Bellas in performance, which made the first such a hit.

The Bad

Pitch Perfect 2 seems a bit like the awkward second album and unfortunately doesn’t particularly bring anything new to the story. Yes, it’s bigger, but yet it still seems to be missing something. The songs don’t seem to be as big a hit as the last film’s and the point is almost proven when the popular Cups song from the first is brought back. Almost like there is no faith in the new songs. And though it’s only 3 minutes longer than its predecessor, it feels about twenty minutes too long.

The Ugly Truth

Pitch Perfect 2 brings back everything that made the first such a hit, but it feels like more is needed to detach itself. Much like the Inbetweeners sequel last year, Pitch Perfect 2 seems acceptable purely due to the fact that the first was such a huge hit. Here’s hoping something more is added for the third.

Review by Johnny Ellis

Asa Butterfield Might Be New Spider-Man

Rumours are surfacing that Marvel Studios have cast Asa Butterfield as the new Spider-Man. According to Latino Review  the Hugo and Ender’s Game star is in final negotiations with Marvel and official confirmation will be announced soon.

Butterfield certainly fits the criteria as it had been reported that Marvel were looking for a younger actor to take over the role from Andrew Garfield since they struck a deal with Sony last year to include him in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War - which is already in production – and his own stand alone movie, due for release July 28th 2017.

Again, while it’s not yet official, Butterfield seems most likely to be the man to take over the much loved character, appearing to have beaten hopefuls such as Tom Holland (The Impossible) and Liam James (The Way Way Back) among others.

Our recent interview below wit Asa from last year’s London Film Festival:

 

 

Crimson Peak Second Trailer

Latest trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s  Crimson Peak has been released online. The Pan’s Labyrinth and Pacific Rim director teams up with an all star cast this October including Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasichowska.

Hiddleston plays Sir Thomas Sharpe, whose home seems to be full of very dark secrets. When his new wife, author Edith Cushing (Wasichowska) moves in, the house soon starts to have a mind of its own… If the new trailer is anything to go by, we’re in for a terrifying treat come October 16!

Check out our exclusive interview with Star Tom Hiddleston below as well:

The Intern Trailer Robert De Niro & Anne Hathaway

The first trailer for The Intern has surfaced online. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give) The Intern sees Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker, a 70 year old retiree who decides to go back into work as, you guessed it, an intern! Anne Hathaway is Jules Ostin, founder of a fashion site and De Niro’s new boss, taking a step up from her last fashion centred role back in The Devil Wears Prada (though, from the trailer it seems she won’t be taking a leaf out of Meryl Streep’s book). Rene Russo and Adam DeVine also star in the comedy which is released on September 25 in America and October 2 in the UK. Check out the trailer below!

Minions Movie Gets New Trailer

With just over a month to wait, the third (and likely final) trailer for the much anticipated Minions Movie has appeared online giving us more teasers of what to expect from everyones favourite yellow servants.

The film, which serves as a prequel to the popular Despicable Me films, includes the voicing talents of Sandra Bullock who as Scarlett Overkill, one of the minions previous bosses before Steve Carell’s Gru appeared into their lives. Steve Coogan, Michael Keaton, Jon Hamm and Allison Janney also lend their voices to the film.

The Minions Movie is released on June 26. Check out the trailer below: