Pitch Perfect 2 - get ready to get pitch slapped review

Is it better than the first…..hhhmmm maybe?  Is it worth seeing in the cinemas you better acca- believe it

Elizabeth Banks – in her first full length film directing debut shows that she really does know her comedy – which we already know from her acting.  It shows she really has put her heart in this. The film is extremely predictable but then most comedies are and l was happy to just sit relax and have a laugh. The plot is slow to start but the jokes are there right from the beginning and don’t stop. Some feel a little forced at times but for the most part it works well

Our very own Rebel Wilson gets more screen play in this instalment and produces the easy laughs proving that she is acca-awesome, sometimes to the point or rib hurting laughter (she also ads in an Aussie joke that was quite cute for us Aussies but might be lost on a wider audience), but my favourites were John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks) our commentators following the Barden Bellas on their journey to the World A cappella championships. Their comedy is a lot more deadpan and at times l found only a few people laughing at their zingers whereas l found them quite hilarious

Keegan-Michael Key has a cameo appearance and l squealed with joy when he came on as he is one of my favourites, l love his sense of humour and was happy that, even though his role is stated a cameo, he does have more than one scene and actually manages to tell Bella Becca to step and try a bit harder.

Our new Barden Bella played by Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) as the Bella legacy, Emily shows that bringing in new characters is a good thing. She is just as quirky as the original Bella’s and brings her own comedy to the mix

Brittany Snow is of course great playing her character Chloe, she and Anna Kendrick’s character Becca grow the most in this instalment – which was, l felt a bit harder to show as their on screen time isn't as big as the first instalment.

The new A cappella group in this one is Das Sound Machine from Germany and they are our Bella’s rivals and while l loved their singing and thought they stole the screen when preforming l felt a little confused as to how old they were meant to be. I’m assuming they are all meant to be at college? It’s not really made clear and if so they all looked a little old. If you loved the treble- makers you maybe a little disappointed they are shown but only have 2 small singing parts and for the most are part of the background.

There is a lot more music in this one, it felt much more Glee-esque (is that even a word.…well it is now!) and there was a wide range with even a small amount of country music included. I swear at one point l expected Kurt and Rachel to walk on screen and start singing with them, there is however a cameo by the group Pentatonix (a fantastic A cappella group) that is quite quick so keep an eye out for them, for the most part l enjoyed the songs chosen and the riff off scene is acca-perfect although one song used had been used enough in Glee and Rock of ages so felt they could have chosen another song but l can see it pleasing the masses.

All in all Pitch Perfect 2 is going to have you singing and dancing in your seats, if you need a laugh and a chance to relax l can’t recommend this enough.

I've got no strings on me....Avengers age of Ultron

Joss Whedon described this film as "smaller. More personal. More painful. The next thing that should happen to these characters, and not just a rehash of what worked the first time. A theme that is completely fresh and organic to itself." - I couldn't agree with this more




I walked into The Avengers Age of Ultron with extremely high expectations and it was safe say l was not disappointed in the slightest. It easily fulfilled all my expectations and then some. Ever since l first watched Doll House I have considered Joss Whedon a genius at what he does and in this film he struck the perfect balance between his sprawling and ever expanding cast and weaving a story that ends in a jaw dropping finale. Marvel's always done a great job of making its superhero movies about the title characters more than the villains. This movie actually tops the first in scope and drama and that's due, in no small part, to a superb villain and our amazing hero’s.

The first movie was all about bringing The Avengers together whereas this instalment is about tearing that team apart. The villain is Ultron (voiced by the superb James Spader) which thanks to the writers (Joss Whedon and Co) becomes a Symbol of Irony. After all it is Tony Stark, his A.I. Jarvis (voiced by Paul Bettany) and, somewhat, Bruce Banner’s idea to create an A. I. to protect mankind, sending The Avengers into early retirement. This is how Ultron is created and unfortunately he takes the idea of making The Avengers obsolete literally and is determined to rid the world of them. He believes the only way for mankind to survive is for it be annihilated so it has the chance to evolve.

All the cast from the first Avengers movie reprise their roles. Scarlett Johanson shines as the Black Widow and was given a substantially bigger part, along with Mark Ruffalo’s character the Hulk. Mark has always been my favourite actor for portraying the Hulk/Bruce Banner and in this 2nd installment his acting pulls at the heartstrings. I will admit there are a few places where my eyes welled up. Robert Downy Jr. playing Tony Stark/ Iron Man is perfect, as always, showing his desire for scientific knowledge and using it to somewhat play god.  Captain America is, as always,  a  well-spoken and perfect gentleman and does not agree with Stark’s plan for A.I. to protect our world which shows throughout the film. I found Hawkeye’s character development was the best of the group, Jeremy Renner portraying his struggle perfectly.

The high-profile additions are of course Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), a pair of tightly-knit eastern European siblings with powers of speed and mind control respectively. Besides

Ultron, the brother-and-sister pair become the biggest threat to the Avengers. In particular Scarlet Witch’s psychic powers which she uses on Captain America, Black Widow and Thor to trigger memories of their past causing them to face their personal demons. 

We also finally see Paul Bettany on the screen as becomes Vison, another A.I. made, once again by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner using Jarvis, to help them defeat Ultron. Of all the new comers l found Elizabeth Olsen was the most interesting to watch. She gave a powerful performance, and surprisingly her accent didn't falter once - I will be interested to see a lot more of her and character.

The Music by one of my favourites, Danny Elfman, beautifully blends pieces of the original score throughout the movie, using it in places where it makes the action scenes seem larger than life. One battle scene in particular which has all the Avengers fighting is shot brilliantly. The camera work is clear and each character is given camera time. Add the music to this and it truly was a jaw dropping scene. The action in this one has been dialed up but doesn't stretch on too long, instead having breaks in between unlike the first film where l felt the action scenes were a little too long in places.

All in all l walked out of this movie with a great big smile on face. It’s not very often that the second Installment in a movie series out shines the first but Avengers Age of Utron manages it on every level and l can’t wait to see it again! But then again this is Marvel and they always seem to deliver the goods!