GOSH, I HOPE HE LIKES MY SONG: Beca (Anna Kendrick) has secretly taken an internship with an award winning record producer in hopes that he will like the songs that she has written. (Photo by Richard Cartwright-© Universal Pictures)

The Bellas are back and badder than before! In case you’re unfamiliar with the sassy, all-girl singing group, they’re students at Barden University, a fictional college located in Atlanta, Georgia. In the original movie, the students overcame a number of frustrating setbacks on the road to victory at the national a cappella competition.

Now the crew, led by senior Chloe (Brittany Snow), have their sights set on the world championship in Copenhagen. However, they get off to a horrible start, because of an embarrassing onstage wardrobe malfunction experienced by Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) during a command performance for President Obama and the First Lady.

The audience lets out a collective gasp when her leotard splits down the middle. As consequence of this unfortunate incident, the Barden Bellas are temporarily suspended from participating in competitions by the college’s board of governors.

During this break from performing, the movie develops the lives of several members of the group. Bumper (Adam DeVine) admires Amy but will she let him see her sensitive side? Meanwhile, Beca (Anna Kendrick) secretly takes an internship with a Grammy-winning record producer (Keegan-Michael Key), hoping that he will listen to the songs she’s composed.

There’s also suspense about an angry black lesbian (Ester Dean), a freshman Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) who has low self-esteem; and an undocumented alien (Chrissie Fit) who is afraid she will be deported. The banter frequently borders on the politically incorrect, but it somehow works, perhaps because it’s never too mean-spirited.

As the assorted controversies are gradually resolved, the story focuses on the big competition against The Sound Machine, the German group that is the defending world champion. Paradoxically, even though the groups are supposed to be singing a cappella renditions of classic hits and show tunes, all the vocalists are accompanied by musical instruments.

Will the Bellas win? Sit back and enjoy the ride. As Bobby McFerrin would sing, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Very Good (***). Rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual innuendo. Running time: 115 minutes. Distributor: Universal Pictures.