Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray Review

The Film

“This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to us — ever!”

The above quote is from one of the main characters in Pitch Perfect 2. Thankfully, she wasn’t talking about the actual film Pitch Perfect 2.

That’s because in a world where every semi-profitable film seems guaranteed a sequel regardless of quality, Pitch Perfect 2 is actually a breath of fresh air. Well, it’s a breath of fun air. Fresh may be stretching it a bit. The girls need to overcome the odds and pull together to belt out a few good, finely choreographed tunes. Sound familiar? It still works, though.

Time has lapsed since the last film and now Beca (Anna Kendrick) and the rest of the Bellas are going into their senior year at Barden U. And yes, that is Chloe (Brittany Snow), who is now a three-time super-senior. Forget real-world stress, though; Fat Amy’s (Rebel Wilson) embarrassing moment at President Obama’s birthday celebration (yes, you read that right) is forcing the championship acapella group to fight for their legacy in the international ring.

If the original left you wanting more acapella (and possibly singing in the shower), Pitch Perfect 2 is a fun 115 minutes. It has a lot of the same jokes as the first film, but the cast, the chemistry and especially the musical numbers hit just enough of the right notes to make it worth checking out.

Think our own Matthew Passantino is singing this film’s praises? Check out his theatrical review of Pitch Perfect 2.

The Picture
It shouldn’t be too surprising that Pitch Perfect 2 is fun to watch. This Blu-ray displays a lot of sharp details on the faces in the large cast, all of the clothing, and even the surrounding scenery. Without a doubt though, the best thing about this blockbuster’s 1.85:1 transfer is the color palette. The backgrounds during the performances, the outfits, and all of the shots of campus life are filled with bright, bold colors. The world competition in particular is bursting with pretty much every color you can imagine. From an image standpoint, this film is just as aca-awesome as you’d expect.

The Sound

Pitch Perfect 2 wastes no time in putting the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track to work. Right from the first few minutes, the music sets you up for a pretty immersive listening experience. The dialogue is always clear and there are plenty of atmospheric sounds, including rain, heels hitting concrete, cheering crowds, and more. However, it’s really all of those musical performances that show how well this track can belt out sound, with sharp vocals and an overall experience that puts you right in the middle of the auditorium, the battle, or anywhere else there’s a musical moment in the film. There’s also a lot of music with actual instruments via the soundtrack, which bumps from almost every angle.

The Extras

The Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray is packed with all sorts of little tidbits designed for super-fans seeking more fun and musical performances. Mostly it’s outtakes, deleted scenes and shorts that extend songs. So what’s wrong with that? If you’re looking for something slightly meatier, click to listen through the commentary, which features Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producers Paul Brooks and Max Handelman (who is also Banks’ husband).

Final Thoughts

Pitch Perfect 2 took in more than twice what the original film made at the box office, so wheels are already in motion to make a third one happen. It’s hard to imagine where the original Bellas would go from here, but it’s even harder to imagine an installment without them. The cast is really what makes Pitch Perfect 2 so enjoyable. That lineup, along with a fun AV presentation, make this sequel a pretty perfect purchase.

Product Details

• Actors: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Katey Sagal, Anna Camp, Hana Mae Lee, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks
• Director: Elizabeth Banks
• Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English), DTS 5.1 (French, Spanish), DVS 2.0 (English)
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of Discs: 2
• Rating: PG-13
• Studio: Universal
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: September 22, 2015
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• List Price: $34.98
• Extras:
  • Feature Commentary with Director/Producer Elizabeth Banks and Producers Paul Brooks and Max Handelman
  • Bonus Song Performed by The Treblemakers
  • Extended Musical Performances
  • Das Sound Machine Finale Breakdown
  • Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes
  • Gag Reel
  • Line-Aca-Rama
  • Green Bay Rap
  • Elizabeth Banks’ Directorial Debut
  • The Bellas Are Back
  • Aca-Camp
  • The Making of The Riff-Off
  • The World Championships of A Cappella
  • Snoop is in the House
  • Residual Heat Internship
  • An Aca-Love Story: Bumper and Fat Amy
  • Legacy: Hailee Steinfeld
  • Standard-Def DVD
  • Digital Copy
  • UltraViolet Digital Copy