Friday, June 14, 2013

Pitch Perfect (Movie Review)

Friday, June 14, 2013 9:36 AM with 20 comments
Pitch Perfect
Director:
Writer: (screenplay), (based on the book by)
Starring: , , , and
DVD Release Date: December 18, 2012

Synopsis from Amazon:

Arriving at her new college, Beca (Anna Kendrick) finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together. When Beca leads this a cappella singing group out of their traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of college music competitions.

**********************************************************************************

MY THOUGHTS:

The other night I found myself watching Pitch Perfect for the second, and what will definitely not be the last, time. This will certainly be a movie I will eventually end up owning. I absolutely adore this cute and funny movie. It follows Beca (Anna Kendrick) during her Freshman year of college. Beca has her heart set on moving to LA to become a DJ, but because she lacks the funds to do so, she is attending the university at which her father is a professor. The two make a deal: If she joins one campus group and truly makes an effort to belong and have a typical college experience for one year, he will pay for her to follow her DJing dreams. This is how Beca finds herself joining the all-girl a cappella group, The Barden Bellas.

At this (I believe) un-named school, a cappella groups are all-the-rage. An all-male group, lead by the hilarious Adam DeVine (of Workaholics fame) are rock stars at their school. Another group is made up of stoner kids. In a world where Glee kids are usually the misfits and outcasts of society, I loved that, in this world, these kids are revered.

What makes this movie are the characters and the actors who play them. Beca plays the "alternative chick" who doesn't care what anybody thinks and who walks through life with headphones on. Anna Camp plays, the Queen Bee, Aubrey. After literally blowing (chunks) last year's competition when she was a junior, she is determined to go out a winner in her last year. This means playing it safe. She is, of course, threatened by Beca's fresh take on music and does whatever she can to reign her in. Brittany Snow plays Chloe, Aubrey's second in command. She is the one who "discovers" Beca in a wonderfully hilarious shower scene where the two harmonize beautifully to David Guetta's Titanium. (I've embedded the scene below.) Chloe loves the direction Beca wants to take the Bellas. Finally, Rebel Wilson plays self-coined Fat Amy. (She calls herself that so twig bitches don't call her fat behind her back.) I've said it before and I'll say it again: Rebel Wilson is one of the funniest humans on this planet. She steals every scene that she is in. Honestly, I loved every single actor in this movie. Anna Kendrick is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites and I loved Brittani Snow and Anna Camp in this, as well. The other members of the Bellas are also funny (if not mostly just in the background) especially the little Asian girl who speaks so softly nobody can ever hear what she is saying. This time while watching I found myself rewinding and blasting the sound to hear her and what she is saying is often hilarious, like: I ate my twin sister in the womb and I start fires to feel good about myself. The cameos of Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins as The Best in Show-type-commentators at the competitions was just icing on the cake.

I loved the burgeoning romance between Beca and Jesse (who sings for the competition), but was happy that it never took center stage. This movie is about the ladies and the bonds the girls in the group form. The songs are wonderfully done. These girls can seriously sing.

Overall, I really can't recommend this movie enough. It is cute and funny. The dialogue is very well-written and extremely witty. If you are looking for a fun movie this weekend, this is the one you should pick up.


What do you think? Have you seen this movie? If so, did you like it? If not, do you think it's something you would? Sound off below.

20 comments:

  1. I LOVE this movie! It's oh so cute! Haven't seen it in a while, but now I really want to watch it! I may need to go buy it so it can be miiiiinnneeee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know. I need to go buy it, too. I love it. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. I've seen little musical snippets of this movie all over YouTube but this is the first time I've bothered to actually read a review and find out what it's about and it sounds great! I'll have to track down a copy and give it watch this weekend. Great review Natalie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should totally watch it this weekend! I hope you love it. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. I love this flick so much. It's just so clever. I watched it again the other night with a friend who had never seen it and we both cracked up the whole time. It never gets old!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. It's definitely a repeat viewer. The dialogue is just so witty. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. One of my absolute favorite movies and now I want to go turn it on and watch it for probably the millionth time haha. I agree with you about Rebel Wilson. That girl is amazing in everything I see her in. And the guy who plays Jesse, Skylar Astin? Yeah he's so adorable lol. Awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sheri! I think that's his name. He is a cutie. Rebel Wilson should be in everything. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. I actually have not seen this film yet, but clearly I need to! That does seem a bit weird to me that a-cappella is a huge thing at this one college, like it requires me to suspend my disbelief a little. But I'd need to see the film to truly understand this, I think. It does sound like a lot of fun though and I'll definitely watch it soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's totally silly, but in the best possible way. I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to watch it. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  6. I absolutely love love LOVE this movie! In the first 24 hours I owned it, I watched it 3 time, plus who knows how many more since!

    Samantha @ Reading-AndCoffee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a fun one. I definitely need to secure a copy for myself. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. I haven't seen this yet, but I kind of love Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson. I don't like Glee, though. Does that mean I won't like this? I mean, it looks all kinds of funny, but I'm just not convinced...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Be convinced. It's hilarious and nothing like Glee. Seriously, watch it and then come back so I can tell you I told you so. :) Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. I just saw this one a few weeks ago and was completely blown away (especially because I HATE Glee). What's most impressive is just how talented these guys and gals really are --- I mean, who knew Anna Kendrick could sing like that?!

    There are so many witty snippets of dialogue (carried much in part by Rebel Wilson) and it's so darn catchy. I immediately bought the soundtrack after watching it and ordered the DVD on Amazon. I seriously can't get enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it the best? I just love it. I was surprised at how well Anna Kendrick can sing and Rebel Wilson is sooooo funny. I'm glad you love it, too. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. This is one of my favorite movies!!! I definitely play the soundtrack on Spotify over and over! I love it! And Rebel Wilson is seriously the best. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the best. Rebel Wilson is so amazingly awesome. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. I adore this movie! Anna's simple "Cups" routine in her audition blew me away, and the "whispering" girl was just so funny. I love the humor, but the singing is incredible all the way.

    Erin @ YA Book Crush

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the "Cups" scene. Have you seen the music video she did for that song? It's on YouTube. Whispering girl was one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

Hello, there! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I read each and every one and will do my best to respond--usually on your blog instead of on mine. I will, however, always answer direct questions. Due to serious time restraints, this blog is now an award free zone, but I appreciate the thought!