Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Pitch Perfect 2' and 'I Am Big Bird'

You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.

PITCH PERFECT 2 (PG-13)

KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "Pitch Perfect 2," a comedy sequel about a group of a cappella singers and the puppeteer documentary "I Am Big Bird."

Fortunately the original 2012 hit film, "Pitch Perfect" isn't crucial to this sequel. The film starts with a humiliating command performance by a group of college a cappella singers at the Lincoln Center. But because of the failure, a group of talented young women decide to enter an international singing competition, a contest no American group has won before. The a cappella world turns out to be cut-throat. Every young woman seems original and has their own personality.

Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson steal the show, with a techno German a cappella group that reminds us of Sprockets on 1990s Saturday Night Live.

Directed by Elizabeth Banks and written by Kay Cannon, it's not a great comedy, but you'll be entertained.

I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY (not rated)

In this affectionate portrait of the man inside the Big Bird suit, we also meet the same man who is the persona of Oscar the Grouch. Many of us are big fans of the late Jim Henson, and seeing him promote the cheerful, gentle Big Bird as well as the caustic Oscar reminds us of his great talent. We experience behind the scenes on Sesame Street, and give credit to this voice and movement artist who keeps on flying.

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