Elizabeth Banks settles comfortably into the the director’s chair to lead Anna Kendrick and her fellow Bellas through the sequel to the beloved Pitch Perfect.

Some of it is a bit of a rehash, once again Beca (Kendrick) has to grow as a character, learning to realize that the Bellas are an essential part of her life, and instead of trying to distance herself from them, should embrace them as it could help her in other parts of her life. Specifically, she’s making the jump to musical producer while serving as an intern for her new boss (Keegan-Michael Key).

After a disastrous presidential performance the Bellas are disqualified from this year’s regionals by John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Banks). But! As the defending champs they are allowed to go the World Championships, and they instill a caveat, if they win, they get reinstated.

Of course, no one thinks they can do it. The German a capella group Das Sound Machine is the one to beat, and even Beca finds herself intimidated and sexually confused by them.

Throw in a new Legacy member (they aren’t allowed to audition with the suspension) Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) who wants to write and perform her own music, you can see how things are going to play out long before the end of the film, but it’s a lot of fun.

There are lots of fun appearances, some great mash-ups, and an enjoyable original song. Banks shows she has a talent for directing, and knows when to play things for the heart.

Kendrick is… well, she’s Anna Kendrick, and she’s adorable. There’s some fun stuff with Bumper (Adam Devine) and Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), Benji (Ben Platt) gets more to do and has a romantic arc and the film determinedly leans into having a fun time.

The core Bellas are all there, and that helps ground Beca’s emotional arc.

It’s enjoyable, fun, and while not as strong as the first film, there is a lot of fun to be had, and it has all the things you want to see, fun riff-offs, mash-ups, and lots and lots of a capella. The cast seems to be having a great time, there are wonderful character beats, and it’s fun, once again, to be hanging out with the Bellas.

It may not have been as strong as the first film, but I still found it to be a lot of fun. I love the Bellas, and really enjoy this franchise. Others do too, which is why they made one more film, which, surprise, surprise, is the next one up.

Can Beca and the Bellas pull it off one more time?