Throwback Thursday Review: 'Pitch Perfect'

Sorry for the slight delay on publishing this review, but this week I'm reviewing Pitch Perfect because Pitch Perfect 3 will be hitting theaters in a matter of weeks. Remaining Throwback Thursday Reviews for the year include The Room, Looper, and Jumanji (1995) to go along with the releases of The Disaster Artist, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. While I'm sick, I also plan on catching up on my other delayed Throwback Thursday Reviews, so expect to see some more of those popping up in the near future.

'Pitch Perfect' Review

Pitch Perfect grooves with an aspiring music producer and standoffish freshman who'd love nothing more than to jet off to Los Angeles and pursue her career, but instead Beca is attending Barden University to satisfy her father's demands. When she and her father come to an agreement that he'll help her move to LA if she spends a year at school, joins a student organization, and remains disinterested in college, Beca joins a regimented female a cappella group intent on defeating their campus rivals and winning the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella. However, Beca soon discovers the group's tired, traditional repertoire is in desperate need of some fine-tuning and puts her music mixing talents to use as she brings some much needed energy and a refreshing sound to the Barden Bellas. 

The plot of Pitch Perfect is by-the-books. I'm sure you've seen a million movies with a similar premise, but Pitch Perfect stands out from the crowd by harmonizing around collegiate a cappella, and the end result a ca-enjoyable. First time feature film director Jason Moore adapted Mickey Rapkin's book with the same happy-go-lucky atmosphere one would associate with Glee. While I haven't read the book, screenwriter Kay Cannon successfully translated Rapkin's work into a delightfully hilarious musical comedy.

Pitch Perfect's strongest assets are its irreverent humor and the countless catchy a cappella covers of plenty of popular tunes. If characters aren't being developed, they're probably singing or cracking wise, and that formula works wonders!

One of the more amusing gags would certainly have to be the a cappella competition commentary from commentators played by Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins. It feels largely improvised, but their jokes are among the funniest to be found in the film because of their absurdity.

Pitch Perfect isn't without a proper dosage of heart though, as the film's focal romance is sweet and treats viewers to a pleasant payoff towards the film's conclusion. I especially like the incorporation of The Breakfast Club and self-aware sentiments regarding film endings found in Pitch Perfect's romantic subplot.

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Ester Dean, and Hana Mae Lee fill the ranks of the principal Bellas as reserved recruit Beca, ostentatious "Fat Amy," cheerful Chloe, stringent leader Aubrey, sex-driven Stacie, tomboyish Cynthia-Rose, and soft-spoken Lilly. Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, and Adam Devine also make an impression as good guy Jesse, geeky Benji, and brutish Bumper, but the ensemble is great across the board.

On the whole, Pitch Perfect still hits all the right notes in spite of a predictable and formulaic story structure.

Film Assessment: B

'Pitch Perfect 2' Review

Pitch Perfect 2 is an enjoyable movie going experience with several great jokes, cameos, and singing of course. Unfortunately the film tries to focus on too many characters in this sequel so some scenes don't quite mesh with the movie and it seems spread in terms of character development. The singing is great as it should be considering the film is about a capella singing groups and features the Pentatonix in a brief montage of the World Acapella competition and a very impressive group of German singers who are the Bella's main rival this time around. The comedy is just as great as the original with several great jokes delivered by the entire cast. Anna Kendrick is quite enjoyable in her return as Beca and probably one of my favorite performances of the film. Rebel Wilson was just as charming and hilarious in the role of Fat Amy. the rest of the returning supporting cast have fairly minor roles but are much more interesting in this sequel with some assistance from some new cast members. Overall I would say it delivers on the singing and comedy, but unfortunately has a very unfocused story but some great themes within the film. I would recommend seeing Pitch Perfect 2 if you enjoyed Pitch Perfect or if the film has peaked your interest, but regardless you will likely enjoy the film.

'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb' Review

I recently saw Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and thought I should create a review even though this was released a few weeks ago. I will start off by saying that this film has a wide range in terms of emotion. There are parts of the film that are very humorous, and the end is very sad. In particular the final scene with Robin Williams is very sad there was a point in that scene where I was laughing and crying at the same time. This ensemble film has many great performances including Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, and there are a few surprise cameos I really enjoyed. I won't reveal who the cameo was but I will say it was hilarious. I thought this was the perfect ending for the Night ar the Museum franchise. I highly recommend that you see it if you enjoy the Night at the Museum franchise and want to see the final film.