Pitch Perfect (2012)

When it’s over, a musical comedy that hits all the right notes. There is a Glee/High School Musical/Hairspray feel to it and plenty of great singing renditions of songs, past and present, accompanied by exciting musical numbers. Beca (Anna Kendrick) is an aspiring DJ who gets talked into joining a female a cappella (singing without instruments) group, The Bellas, at her first year of university. At first, uninterested and unmotivated, Beca soon realizes the group of quirky women are good for her soul. Rebel Wilson plays Fat Amy, but really should be named Rebel Amy, since Fat Amy steals the show, with her “I don’t care what my size is, because I can sing,” attitude. The dance numbers and competition routines bring out the rebel in Fat Amy, and I cannot help, but cheer her on. Anna Camp portrays Aubrey, who is the leader of The Bellas. She is the catalyst, bringing tension between characters, because of her headstrong ways and her refusal to deviate from the a cappella’s traditions. Brittany Snow stars as Chloe, who is stuck in the middle of tradition and change and possesses a singing handicap. Kendrick can sing, and who knew the Twilight alumni had such talent. She brings a hip-hop style to Beca that makes you want to get up and dance. The women come together, bringing their strengths and their flaws, to try and beat out their rivals, The Treblemakers, in a national competition, led by Jesse (Skylar Astin), who has eyes only for Beca. There’s swooning, there’s catty behavior, and lots of laughs. If you are a music lover and enjoy romantic comedies, this film is for you.

My rating: 4 out of 5