PITCHPERFECT MASH UP SERIES

Its music was very catchy, and the story had a satisfying conclusion.

It could have been one of the filmвЂ™s defining moments, but its impact is diminished by the filmвЂ™s many jokes debasing women. One such message is the use of BeyonceвЂ™s song вЂњRun the World (Girls)вЂќ as a feminist anthem. Sadly, however, many potentially impactful messages in the film are diminished because of the use of prejudicial humor.

Many of the filmвЂ™s best moments had me laughing out loud or nodding my head to the music. This is disappointing, because I really enjoyed the rest of Pitch Perfect 2. The fact that no one in a crowded, diverse Los Angeles theater was laughing suggests to me that these jokes were unnecessary. Eventually I got the sense that the filmmakers were probably making an attempt at satire because of the sheer number of these kind of jokes, but most of them fell flat and were not well received by my theaterвЂ™s audience. There were jokes directed at Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, women, men, LGBTQвЂ™s, overweight people, and more. Let me be clear: there are a lot of these jokes. I would be remiss if I didnвЂ™t address the many prejudiced and racist jokes in Pitch Perfect 2. I see artistic creativity in both types of expression, and I appreciated the way in which Pitch Perfect 2 gives attention to both, especially in its finale. Pitch Perfect 2 teases the notion that originality can sometimes be вЂњbetterвЂќ while still showing how awesome covers can sound вЂ“ especially when they are sung a cappella. Therefore, when we create things as humans, are we creating ex nihilo or are we bringing order to the chaos of pre-existing material? Does one method more closely imitate GodвЂ™s creative process? I suppose that depends on how you view the ex nihilo debate.

Most Christians now hold that God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). Many early Christians believed that God created the world by bringing order to the chaos of pre-existent matter. This debate over the nature of artistic creation also mirrors the debate over the nature of the worldвЂ™s creation.

PITCHPERFECT MASH UP SERIES

The crowd jeers one singer (newcomer to the series Hailee Steinfeld) because she dares to sing an original composition rather than a cover. Is creating a mash-up like one of BeccaвЂ™s creations any less artistically creative than creating an original composition out of nothing? One of the filmвЂ™s craziest moments is an impromptu underground a cappella battle filled with hilarious performances, including one by the Green Bay Packers (yes, you read that sentence correctly). Pitch Perfect 2 asks some provoking questions about artistic originality and creativity in the midst of all its zaniness. This isnвЂ™t surprising considering that it was co-written by the talented singer/songwriters Sam Smith and Sia. In fact, the original song вЂњFlashlightвЂќ is one of the catchiest in the film. BeccaвЂ™s struggle to find her own artistic voice ends up mirroring the BellasвЂ™ struggle to rediscover their voice while journeying towards the International Championship. In this sequel, Becca is challenged to produce an original sound rather than to simply continue mixing already existing material. There were some great mashups, including some unexpected ones (like the surprisingly catchy Anna Kendrick/Snoop Dogg Christmas melody mashup вЂ“ I didnвЂ™t see that one coming). BeccaвЂ™s talent at producing these mashups continues to shine in Pitch Perfect 2. This is one of the things which differentiates them from other a cappella groups. Becca arranges all of the music for the BellasвЂ™ routines by infusing them with a heavy dose of mashups.

The first Pitch Perfect film establishes that Becca wants to be a music producer and is very talented at creating mashups of other peopleвЂ™s songs. There is also a secondary plot which centers more closely on the personal growth of Anna KendrickвЂ™s character Becca. The International Championship is now their last chance to earn redemption and save their storied program from being shut down. Soon after the film begins, the Bellas find that their very existence as a team is being threatened. As you might expect from a sequel, much of the same drama that was part of the first film is here once again, but this time around of course the stakes are higher. In the first film it was the National Championship, but in this film itвЂ™s the International Championship. Pitch Perfect 2вЂs main storyline sees the Barden Bellas once again vying to win an a cappella competition. As a first-time director, she gives the audience even more of what made the first film so well-received: good a cappella music and wacky humor. Elizabeth Banks, who was a producer and actor in both films, also wears the directorвЂ™s hat this time around for Pitch Perfect 2. Pitch Perfect 2 is the high energy sequel to 2012вЂ™s Pitch Perfect, a film that actually became more popular after its theatrical run ended.

Pitchperfect mash up