Pitch Perfect or A-ca-scuse Me? This Film was Actually Good!

Pitch Perfect
Director: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, and Rebel Wilson
Box Office: $64,799,608 (USA)
DVD Review

Pitch Perfect slipped through the cracks. It was never put on our Fall 2012 Movie List. When it was released, several other films that were on the list, were also released. Unfortunately, Pitch Perfect got pushed back continuously due to these other films that had to be seen first. We never claimed to be perfect (no pun intended) here at Don't Sit Next To Us; but we do try to see as many films in theatre that we can and sometimes we just don't have the time to see them all. If we had our way, we would be at the theatre every day. But I digress...on to the review!

The film stars Kendrick as Becca, a freshman at Barden University, reluctant to attend but forced by her father who is a professor at the university. Becca has aspirations to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in music production. She isolates herself from college life and other students, except Jesse (Skylar Astin) who she meets at her job at the school radio station. Her father finds out she is not attending classes and offers to let her go to LA if she joins a club and proves that she wants to get involved with the school.

Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow), leaders of the Bellas (an all-female acappella group) convince Becca to join along with a group of other women who do not fit the typical "Bellas" mold. The group, still reeling from their devastating loss at the a cappella championships the previous year, need to find replacements for all the girls that moved on from the group. Most ambitious of the new girls to join is Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) who claims she calls herself "Fat Amy" so people don't say it behind her back.

The girls clash initially, with Aubrey controlling what songs should be performed by the group. She insists on classic songs like Ace of Base's "The Sign" while Becca believes that the group should try something different by "remixing" songs and making mash-ups of current hits and old favourites, which she does in her spare time. Jesse joins the Treblemakers (the all-male acappella group at the school) and the two groups compete to become the school's best acappella group, while the Bellas try to work together to redeem themselves at the championship.

I remember seeing the trailer for this film and I couldn't stop laughing, and I can easily remember why: Rebel Wilson. In terms of comedy, she owned this film. There were some other laughable moments from supporting cast, but Wilson was the main reason for the comedic element in this film. The other performances in the film are not notable. They're not horrible but they're not memorable either. What makes this film so enjoyable is the music. 

Taking a note from Glee, Pitch Perfect uses contemporary music mixed with classics to appeal to the masses. If the music wasn't so appealing, the film would not be as successful as it was. Similar to Bring It On, a film that many critics have compared this one to, the light, fun, "pop-y" storyline is what has allowed this film to do so well both at the box office and with critics. It doesn't take it's self seriously and it's pleasing to the ears. (But here's hoping it doesn't spawn a string of sequels ala Bring It On).

Final Verdict: See it. It's fun and light and just the right amount of cheesiness. Wilson provides enough laughs to carry the film. The musical numbers are catchy. And although the storyline is predictable, you can't help but root for the Bellas to win.

Rotten Tomatoes