I’ve written before about my love of Pitch Perfect, and my disappointment that it got taken into the sequel machine that pumps out lazy victory laps, when it could have stood on its own as a singular, cult, successful film. I didn’t hate the second film, I just felt that it lost its spark and became more generic, losing the charm of the first film. My trepidation only increased however at the prospect of a third outing, worries that were not calmed when the premise of a reunion was announced (only two and half years since the release of the last film?) and then when a trailer showing explosions was released. Sadly any concerns about the film that would result from this have come to fruition, and unfortunately, the Bellas go out on a pretty low note.

We pick up with the Bellas having finally graduated college, and each figuring out what to do with their lives. Through a mockumentary montage (made by everybody’s favourite a cappella commentators – still on form) we see their current occupations range from Becca (Anna Kendrick) as a music producer to Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) performing as Fat Amy Winehouse, to juice truck employee. It isn’t long before the ex-Bellas are all pulled together to watch a performance by the new class (still including Hailee Steinfeld’s Emily) which prompts Aubrey (Anna Camp) to put into motion a plan to call her military father and get them put on a USO tour to perform for the troops. And, of course, a competition is shoehorned into it.

It is an incredibly contrived plot, put into place seemingly to purely replicate the stakes of the original (but with a bizarre twist – more on that later). It then uses this as a way to simply repeat moments the audiences loved the first time, but the third time around it comes off as a desperate appeal that is no longer funny or loveable. There is a crammed in riff-off which is forced and fairly cringey, and overdone extensions of running jokes from the original.

It is, at least, self aware in parts – for example a comment on forced exposition – however, it seems blithely unaware of what Pitch Perfect is; it is almost as if the filmmakers had never seen the first film and we just told to cram in repeat references. It also leads to a ridiculous subplot that does not fit in with any of the franchise whatsoever. Arguably, it is commendable to try something a bit different in the second sequel, but in subverting where you’d expect the plot to go, it veers off on such a sharp tangent that it falls into another genre and comes off as bizarre. Perhaps, if this had been a series of ‘screwball comedies’ this weird change in direction could have worked as part of an overall meta joke, but it isn’t and it doesn’t.

If you look at this as a Pitch Perfect film (and that is how you would be expected to view it), it is embarrassing. The original was an offbeat and quirky musical-comedy, full of charm and wit with a slight edge. This film has descended even further than the first sequel (it makes it look a lot better in comparison) into more generic studio comedy territory, which nowadays is also code for mediocre or less. There are some laughs, but nowhere near as many as the original, but primarily what it has lost is its heart. The charm is gone and so is the tone and sense of character that made audiences connect so much with this group of women in the first place. This film really shouldn’t exist, and only its ending really feels worth it and recaptures a bit of the heart and spirit of the first film. What this really serves to do is damage its legacy in a way that is insulting to its audience and characters. The original could have been a long-standing cult classic, and it may still stand the test of time, but being buried under these two unnecessary and substandard sequels will hurt it.

The film is not unbearable. If you try and forget about the first film and pretend that this one stands on its own (thus ignoring the legacy destruction) it is enjoyable enough in the moment. There are some scattered laughs, and the brilliant cast and loveable characters will carry you through (although the Treblemakers are missed). It is clear they had a good time making the film, and that is what will carry you through a fun enough viewing, although it is certainly not rewatchable or memorable in the way its original is.

If Pitch Perfect 2 was a lazy victory lap, this is an even lazier, more generic comedy that is only tied to the franchise by repeats of previous events. It is further evidence for the argument against unnecessary sequels, but on the strength of its cast, some laughs and an ending which does work as a fitting farewell, it is enjoyable enough for an hour and a half.

Also, where did all the cool mash-ups go?