Movie Review: Pitch Perfect

Alright, before I get this review rolling, I have a confession to make: I'm in an a cappella group.

Yeah, that's right. And we're called Acappellics Anonymous. Get over it.

It isn't a huge secret or anything, but often when people learn this about me they kind of smirk and laugh a bit to themselves, then put on serious face as if they don't think it's rediculous. Well you know what? It is ridiculous. A cappella music, at its core, is silly, over the top, and just about the nerdiest thing someone can do, but I love it. You see, no matter how weird singing all a cappella arrangements to pop songs can be, it is still just one of the funnest things ever.

So when I heard that a movie was being made about collegiate a cappella groups, I just about died. During my college experience, being in an a cappella group has been one of my greatest experiences. I've made amazing friends, won some awesome competitions, and been able to sing my little heart out. My hopes were that this movie, in its infinite potential, would show just how great, albeit strange, a cappella can be.

With that in mind Pitch Perfect, from the opening scene, is very up front about what it is and what it is here to do. It isn't here to win any oscars, or even any grammy's,  but it is here to win a few hearts.

The story follows Becca (Anna Kendrick), a totally rad chick who wants to be a DJ and move to Los Angeles, not attend college like her dad wants. Upon her father's bargain to try out school for at least a year and become involved in an extracurricular activity, Becca begrudgingly auditions for the down-and-out Barden Bellas, an all female a cappella group that tragically lost last years nationals competition, along with most of its members. Along the way, the new batch of motley recruits must work together in order to get their act together in order to win the nationals a cappella competition. And, along the way, they may just learn a valuable lesson or two.

Ok, so sure, it has some pretty standard movie tropes. There's the underdogs, the distanced main character, and a plucky love interest that somehow puts up with all of Becca's bullshit. However, at the same time, the movie is constantly moving and somehow turning these tropes on their heads with clever jokes and physical humor. Like I said, it is completely and totally aware of just how silly a cappella competitions can be. Instead of taking themselves too seriously, they allow a large amount of room for a healthy dose of meta-humor and off the wall comedy. Sure, you probably will be able to guess most of what's going to happen, but you will have a hell of a time despite that.

"What, you mad?"

The cast also does a great job of striking just the right balance of puppy-like cuteness and raunchy sensibility. The lot of them are pretty damn funny and even allow to paint it on a little thick from time to time for effect. They are smart girls who are playing it smart. Too much in either direction would have been a mess, but because of their efforts the movie sticks comfortably between heart warming and bat-shit crazy. Also,  I dare anyone to look at Anna Kendrick's face and not fall in love with her. Double-dog-dare.

LOOK AT IT!!!

Rounding out the group we also have Brittany Snow (in the "what has she been doing?" category), Anna Camp, and Rebel Wilson. They nail their comedic timing, but also have surprisingly nice voices. Nothing that is going to blow you away, mind you, but completely cute and functional singing voices.

As adorable as Anna may always be perpetually and for all time, it is often Rebel Wilson who steals the show. Her off-color one liners will, in many scenes, be the saving grace that holds it all together. Now, while you are watching the movie you may not notice it, but afterwords you may realize her character, called "Fat" Amy, is less of a character and more of a gag machine. It doesn't make or break the movie, but it's still something that can feel a little disappointing.

In fact, my only real gripe with Pitch Perfect is how thin the characters can be at times. In order to get all of the chart topping numbers crammed into this little movie, most of the character development is kind of shaved down the bare minimum. Yet, the movie, in its ever wise understanding of movie pitfalls, calls to attention that some characters have "been there the whole time" even if the audience has never really noticed. It's pretty funny, and also refreshing in a world of movies that try desperately to hide these inevitable movie downsides.

So, yeah, Pitch Perfect isn't in fact perfect, but it gets pretty close. Take all of the film's high points and join it with some killer a cappella arrangements, and you have a movie that will have you smiling and cheering in spite of yourself.

Just make sure you are aca-prepared to have some fun.