The Barden Bellas burst onto the screen in 2012’s Pitch Perfect and (to the surprise of a lot of people) hit the right note.

The songs were cool, the characters likable and the comedy got the laughs flowing without being over the top.

In the sequel, we catch up with the Bellas a few years after their first national championship win.

They are successful and popular enough to be invited to sing for the US president on his birthday.

But when the performance goes wrong, the Bellas are barred from the “aca-circuit” and auditioning for new members.

In an effort to regain their status and respect, they decide to compete at the world titles.

All our favourite characters are back, led by the odd and somewhat stand-offish Beca (Anna Kendrick), the full on Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the a cappella-obsessed Chloe (Brittany Snow).

Joining the cast is Hailee Steinfeld who plays Emily, a college freshman who is eager to be a part of the same singing group her mother was a part of.

Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins also return as the outrageous and hilarious a cappella colour commentators.

Banks also tries her hand at directing for the first time with good results.

She has long been renowned for her comic ability and this shows in the way she directs. Her and Higgins’ exchanges are also some of the best laugh-out-loud moments of the film.

With such a large cast, it is hard to give everyone their moment to shine but Banks does the best she can but some characters are reduced to selling gags or almost forgotten altogether.

Predictably, with the Bellas getting older, a lot of the plot drifts from singing and focuses on life after college.

Beca tries to juggle a new job with her Bella responsibilities while Chloe can’t grasp the concept of life without the Bellas.

As it should, the music stands out in Pitch Perfect 2.

There is a great mix of new and old songs that have had the a cappella twist applied to them. Highlights include a 90s hip hop medley, UK rock band Muse’s Uprising and a new song Pitch Perfect fans are sure to love.

Pitch Perfect 2 is a strong sequel top a very popular film but it isn’t as good as what we were served up in 2012.

Pitch Perfect 2 is now showing at Bendigo Cinemas. See page 3 of the Bendigo Advertiser for session details.

Follow film reviewer Chris Pedler on Twitter @FilmNerdChris