I wanted this to be cute like the first film, but it just didn't quite cut it. First, if you're going to have rock music, have a rock musician be Barb. There's nothing wrong with Rachel Bloom, but she can't sing Ozzy Osborne or Heart songs. She doesn't have the power. Get someone who can.
Next, I hated that the final song was pop. Pop fixes everything? I thought pop was the problem? It felt very inconsistent.
Finally, why have Branch have a moment saying all music needs to survive and do something about it if he's just going to fail the moment he shows up so Poppy can save the day? Let Branch save the day - he's the one doing the work.
All in all it was...fine...and the message of being different was actually super timely, but the story fell flat in ways that just can't be forgiven. Music isn't enough to save bad or lazy writing.
All in all it was...fine...and the message of being different was actually super timely, but the story fell flat in ways that just can't be forgiven. Music isn't enough to save bad or lazy writing.