Pitch Perfect Review

Amanda Doughty ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff

I’ll be honest: when I saw this movie, I did not think I would enjoy it. From what I saw in the previews, it looked like a typical  “chick flick” and, in a lot of ways, it was just a typical chick flick. However, it was also one of the most fun experiences I’d had at the movies in a really long time. I laughed until my sides hurt, screamed at the screen, and even teared up a little. This movie was a pleasant surprise.
The movie centers on Beca (Anna Kendrick), a college freshman at Barden University who would rather spend her days making mash-ups than studying. When her father says he will support her going to Los Angeles to pursue a career in being a disc jockey next year if she joins one club. Thus, Beca finds herself pulled into the fallen-from-grace a capella group the Barden Bellas. Losing the national title after one of the girls threw up on stage, seniors Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp) are desperate to get their group back on top, while facing scrutiny from their rival a capella group, the Treble Makers. However, these girls are a bit stuck in their ways as they perform the same songs for every competition every single year. This causes conflict between Aubrey and Beca, who wants to revamp the group with her DJing skills. The result is some hilarious shenanigans, and some pretty phenomenal music.
Kendrick may have been the star of this film, but she was by no means the scene-stealer. In fact, my biggest critique of the movie was that I had a very hard time liking her character. She was extremely cold, and it made it hard for me to root for her, even if I wanted to. The real scene-stealer is Rebel Wilson, playing the deliciously hilarious Fat Amy. Every scene Wilson is in, she had me in tears from laughing so hard. Between this and her hysterical performance in “Bridesmaids,” it’s pretty clear that she has a bright future in comedy ahead of her. Other stand out performances are Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins as the announcers of the a capella competitions, Hana Mae Lee as the practically silent Asian girl with criminal tendencies, Ben Platt as the adorable nerd Benji, and Skylar Astin as Jesse, a member of the Treble Makers who falls for Beca.
While the acting was good, the true star of this movie is the music. A capella singing, or singing without any other instruments besides your voice, is one of the most challenging ways to sing in a group – if not the most challenging way. Both groups step up to the challenge. This movie is chock full of musical talent with flawless mash-ups that sound even better than the originals.
As I said before, this movie was one of the most entertaining movies I have seen in a long time. Yes, it’s as predictable and cheesy as most other chick flicks; but it’s also hilarious and full of fantastic music. If I were you, I would not miss it.