Pitch Perfect 2, the sequel to the surprise hit musical comedy from 2012, delivers in a big way.  The Barden Bellas are back and have to fight to keep the group together after Fat Amy (played by Rebel Wilson) accidentally flashes President Obama at an embarrassing performance at the Lincoln Center.  Their only hope to continue on as a performing a cappella group is to win an international competition.  Winning this competition seems unlikely as they would have to beat the German group, Das Sound Machine, a highly structured, seemingly perfect team.

The Bellas have grown and developed and are preparing to graduate from college.  A common thread throughout the movie is that of friendship.  During a heartwarming scene around the fire, the girls come to realize all their work and ambition toward achieving their goal was not actually the point, but the relationships developed along their journey was.

Of course there were plenty of jokes and outrageous references to keep the audience laughing.  The best part of this sequel was more of Fat Amy with her inappropriate, offensive one liners that seem to make no sense, but are still hilarious.  A troubled romance develops between Fat Amy and Bumper (played by Adam Devine).  At one point, Bumper pronounces his love for her and is sadly rejected.  But of course it all works out in the end with Fat Amy serenading him from a boat on the lake and then them rolling around the yard in a grossly public display of affection.

Beca (played by Anna Kendrick) has some struggles as well.  She is torn between her commitment to the Bellas and her own future.  She finds herself unavailable to put forth the effort the Bella’s need from her due to her secretly accepting an internship at a record label.  In the end, she finds just the right balance.

Additional highlights to this movie include the a cappella official podcasters who continuously announce the play by plays of the performances and spit politically incorrect proclamations; and several cameo performances by Snoop Dogg, the Green Bay Packers, Robin Roberts, and Jimmy Kimmel.  These unexpected stars pop up throughout the movie surprising the audience frequently.

Though it is a common opinion that a sequel rarely (if ever) delivers the quality of a first movie, Pitch Perfect 2 is bigger, faster, funnier, more on point with pop-culture, and overall better. Aca-amazing!