Pitch Perfect (2012)
Certified: PG
Duration: 112 minutes
Directed by: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Ben Platt, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Adam DeVine, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Alexis Knapp
KRS release
With the multitude of singing competitions TV is lately churning out worldwide, it was inevitable that the subject would be tackled on the big screen.
Pitch Perfect is very savvy, funny and has an incredibly talented cast, making this film a must-see for lovers of the genre.
Beca (Anna Kendrick) had been dreaming of going to Los Angeles and work as a club remix deejay. However, her father (John Benjamin Hickey) convinces her that she needs to give education another try. Thus she enrols at Barden University which is also where her dad teaches.
She instantly joins the Bellas, a female choir specialising in a capella singing. These are led by the weird Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp), who is a control freak.
The group soon expands as they seek to challenge The Treblemakers, an all-male group under the leadership of Bumper (Adam De Vine). A new member of this group, Jesse (Skylar Astin), develops a crush for Beca.
New recruits among the Bellas include: Stacie (Alexis Knapp), who is quite a libertarian; lesbian Cynthia Rose (Ester Dean); and the very opinionated ‘Fat Amy’ (Rebel Wilson).
Sparks fly between Aubrey and Beca when the leadership of the group is put into question: Aubrey is against change while Beca wants to spice things up with new routines.
The Treblemakers have their own issues when Bumper quits and Jesse has to find a worthy replacement. Meanwhile, a national competition in New York is just round the corner.
The Bellas group is made up of stereotypes that are played out by a strong and promising young cast, that are both able comedians and impressive singers.
A vital factor in the film’s overall structure is that no character seems to have been forgotten in the script.
All are given their baggage and fair share of screen time and everyone is given the chance to be in the limelight. Things are also kept moving at a brisk pace.
The singing delivered in the film’s finale is exhilarating. The songs chosen range from 1980s and 1990s classics to more recent fare.
The secret of this film is that it knows what it is: a light and snappy comedy, and with this knowledge and attitude, it emerges to be quite a barrel of fun.