Pitch Perfect





Directed By: Jason Moore

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Skylar Astin, Freddie Stroma, Alexis Knapp, Adam DeVine, Ester Dean, and Brock Kelly

Anna Kendrick has been pretty busy as of late.  In the last year or so, she's been in more than half a dozen films ranging from 50/50 and End of Watch to ParaNorman and What to Expect When You're Expecting.  She's chosen a variety of roles that have helped showcase her versatility.  Her latest film Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy where she gets the chance to show off her pipes as a singer in an a cappella group.

Last year, the Bellas from Barton University became the first all-female a cappella group to compete in the finals at the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella Groups (ICCA).  Unfortunately, junior Bella Aubrey (Anna Camp) tossed her cookies and vomited all over the front row during her solo performance.  Four months later, Aubrey is a senior leading the Bellas and is looking to redeem herself at the ICCA this school year.  There's just one problem.  She needs singers.

To get back to the ICCA finals, Aubrey and her fellow Bella Chloe (Brittany Snow) have to get down to the business of recruiting new singers.  These two are all that remain of the group that went to the finals last year.  At the annual activities fair at the beginning of the school year, they recruit a number of freshmen including the sexy Stacie (Alexis Knapp), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the ultra-quiet Lilly (Hana Mae Lee).  They even manage to recruit alternative freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick), who's only interested in leaving college and jumpstarting her career as a music producer in Los Angeles.  This motley a cappella group needs to find its groove if it has any hope of taking down the reigning champs and the Bellas' direct competition on campus, the Treble Makers.

You can never go wrong in a movie where you get some good jokes and some enjoyable tunes, and Pitch Perfect has both.  Though it can be a bit formulaic, this musical comedy is irreverent, silly, and undeniably fun.  Whether you've got the Treble Makers jamming to "Let It Whip" and "Don't Stop the Music" or you've got Rebel Wilson pulling some crazy antics on screen, you're in for some fresh, quirky entertainment.  Pitch Perfect hits most of the right notes.

All of the cast members step up their comedic game for Pitch Perfect in one way or another, but there are definitely a few standouts.  As Fat Amy, Rebel Wilson really delivers a lot of big laughs.  Whether running horizontally or getting shot by a burrito, Wilson gives us one wild chick who keeps things interesting.  As the voluptuous Stacie, Alexis Knapp has no problems making it known that life is all about sex for her.  The Project X star is obsessed with demonstrating this while singing, which is hilarious for us as viewers.  As the egotistical Treble Maker Bumper, Adam DeVine might just be the best part of the film.  He just keeps outdoing himself on and off stage.  Finally, I have to show some love for the crazy ICCA commentary from Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins.  These two just spew utter nonsense that keeps me laughing throughout the performances by the a cappella groups.

I have to say that the musical selections in Pitch Perfect are pretty impressive.  From hits in the 60s and 70s to the chart toppers in pop music today, Jason Moore really gives us some great jams.  You can't go wrong with a little Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, or Jessie J.  While Anna Kendrick is more of a straight character in terms of comedy, she brings some vocals to the table. The same can be said for Brittany Snow and Anna Camp.  These girls keep the jams coming as the Bellas gradually break out of their traditional shell.  I also have to show some love for the Treble Makers.  These boys hit all the right notes and keep plenty of tunes coming as well.

On the whole, Pitch Perfect is a refreshing little musical comedy that's pretty entertaining.  While I can't say that I laughed myself to tears, I wasn't too far off the mark.  With a solid cast and some solid tunes, Pitch Perfect gets a strong 0.06% rating.  Have a couple of beers with this one.  Come ready to jam to some a cappella too!

On a side note, I have to say that The Breakfast Club is getting a lot of love this weekend.  With critics calling The Perks of Being a Wallflower this generation's The Breakfast Club and Pitch Perfect directly paying tribute to the film, I've heard quite a bit about the movie this weekend.