Story

Themes

Singing groups and competition; relationships; personal growth

Violence

None of concern

Sexual references

Pitch Perfect 2 has frequent sexual references. For example:

• During their a cappella performances, the Bellas are dressed in sexy outfits and dance in a provocative way. They put their hands on their breasts, sway their hips and so on.
• When Amy greets Emily at the door, Amy says, ‘Sorry my boobs are all crazy. I was just jumping’.
• Emily’s surname is ‘Junk’, and her dad’s surname was ‘Hardon’.
• Beca says, ‘You are making me sexually confused’ to the lead singer of Das Sound Machine.
• Amy says, ‘I’d like to be the brisket in that man’s sandwich’.
• One of the challenges in a small competition is to sing a ‘song about butts’.
• Bumper asks Amy randomly, ‘Would you like to have sex later?’

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Pitch Perfect 2 shows some use of substances, including when the Bellas go to a party, and students seem to be drinking alcoholic drinks.

Nudity and sexual activity

Pitch Perfect 2 has some sexual activity. For example:

• Amy’s pants split during a performance, and it becomes obvious that she isn’t wearing any underwear. People scream and try to look away. The event is on the news, and the word ‘vagina’ is beeped out.
• Beca kisses her boyfriend before her audition.
• Amy states that she has ‘met three of the Wiggles … intimately’.
• Bumper and Amy often sneak off together, and it is implied that they have sex.
• Emily kisses Benji.

Product placement

Pitch Perfect 2 has some product placement. It shows Apple laptops and refers to the Grammys, as well as artists like Snoop Dog and Eminem.

Coarse language

Pitch Perfect 2 has some coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Pitch Perfect 2 is the sequel to Pitch Perfect. It’s an inspiring story about a group of young women who lose their way, both professionally and personally.

As their college years draw to a close the Bellas start drifting apart from each other and struggle to keep performing as a group. As a result, they begin to believe they’re bad singers, but they really just need to rediscover their voices as a team. The movie is about the importance of friendship and of not being afraid to reach for the stars.

Pitch Perfect 2 will probably appeal to tweens and teenagers, particularly those who were fans of the first movie. We don’t recommend it for children under 14 years, however, because of its coarse language and frequent sexual references.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:

• letting your friends support you in difficult times, rather than trying to cope on your own
• facing your fears and taking risks to achieve worthwhile things
• following the passions that give your life meaning and direction.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like:

• the effect of people’s opinions on self-esteem and self-confidence
• the way the media shapes our view of reality
• gender stereotypes and misogyny – for example, someone says to the Bellas, ‘The truth is, you’re just women. And you’ll all be pregnant soon’
• poverty and the difficulties faced by people in socioeconomic and racial minorities.