I loved the first film, and have watched it probably about 20 times. But this one was β¦ mediocre at best. In fact, I had pre-ordered it and bought the soundtrack, but cancelled it after seeing it in the theatres.
Basically, the script is terrible. None of the girls have any kind of storyline, except for Becca and Amy, and maybe Hailee Stenfeld for some reason, who is forced into the story as a new Bella. In fact, most of the story is forced.
We learn nothing at all about Lilly or Cynthia Rose, theyβre just kind of there, Lilly saying strange things. In fact, she had more of an arc in the first movie, where at least she broke out of her shell and rapped at the end. In this one, sheβs just weird, and Cynthia Rose is just brought on to sing. There is a Latina character who β¦ itβs almost offensive, the way she is portrayed. Everything is this ridiculous stereotype of her getting into the country and being deported, and being traded for a chicken βback in my country.β Watching it literally made me sour a bit on Elizabeth Banks, that she could have let this garbage hit the screen, as producer and director. And star, who has to put up with more offensive lines from her Acapella fellow announcer, who is way worse than in the first film.
Oh, and the boys are just shoehorned in, and have accepted their roles as Acca-second bananas to the Bellas. Benji has a sort of romance with Hailee Steinfeld that borders on the creepy, not helped by the fact that he no longer looks boyish, while she plays young.
So the good? Beccaβs storyline as an intern is okay, and Amy gets a real romance with bumper. The final performance is okay.
In a nutshell, Iβll probably never watch it again, and Iβm not sure Iβm hoping for part 3, only if it recaptures the magic.