Pitch Perfect 2012
We kick off 2017 with a recommendation. 2012's Pitch Perfect has always popped in and out of my movie viewing life, making cameos but has never been the main star. There have been several attempts to watch it, one where I fell asleep (not the movie's fault, mine) and the other, a stuttering Netflix stream that didn't add to the viewing pleasure. What better time to delve into Pitch Perfect than when Niece Pancake recommends it and happened to be staying over at Claypole Manor.
Pitch Perfect is about an all girl, college, acapella band and their attempt to re-establish themselves after a disastrous performance, set up in the opening run of the movie. To regain their lost status, Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow) have to build from the bottom and recruit new members. Joining Aubrey and Chloe in the Barden Bellas are reluctant indie freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick), cocky Tasmanian Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), creepy quiet Lilly (Hana Mae Lee) and stereotypical Cynithia Rose (Ester Dean). There are others but they are nothing more than one joke characters and stage fillers.
The stars of the Pitch Perfect are set out as Kendrick, Camp and Snow however cream, as they say, rises and Kendrick is joined at the front of the stage by Rebel Wilson. Kendrick is suitably moody and morose for the first act then appears to embrace her inner songstress very quickly. Not so much an character arc, more a vertical line. She is easy to watch and carries the film along at the weaker points quite nicely. Wilson is everything that Hollywood thinks Melissa McCarthy is and fifty times funnier. She does enough in the background that is amusing but not distracting, funny but not scene stealing and touching but not saccharine. There is a natural aura about Wilson that shines through and as her character, Fat Amy, says "she is not really living unless she is 100% honest", and this is Wilson's greatest acting strength.
The male characters are played down, consisting of the Bella's rivals, the fabulously named, Treblemakers and Beca's love interest, Jesse (Skylar Astin). The Treblemakers are led by carefree narcissist Bumper (Adam DeVine), played as it should be as a panto baddie which is quite fun to watch. Jesse is less interesting and is fairly bland from start to finish.
The main plot is about the rise of the Bellas however there are nice asides into the blossoming relationship between Beca and Jesse such as a micro tribute to one of my favourite films which was an unexpected treat. This is quite touching stuff and does tip toe into the schmaltzy but you have to remember what you are signing up for when you delve into Pitch Perfect. Director Jason Moore takes his film on unconventional routes which is refreshing. It's not exactly M.Night Shyamalan but he pulls enough story surprises that results in the film being quirky and original.
The soundtrack jumps from eighties to modern (in 2012) and has enough toe tapping moments to keep this middle aged viewer from feeling hideously old. Covers of Madonna's Like a Virgin, Toni Basil's Mickey straight through to Kelly Clarkson's Since U been gone and Jessie J's Price Tag is enough to be accessible and recognisable for any age group while meandering into music that is perhaps not that familiar to everyone but very listenable.
Pitch Perfect is not going to be everyone's cup of tea and was a total turn off for some of my viewing compadres. For them it was way over the top, too kitsch and too silly. I am of the opinion that this film has its faults but it has enough big moments to see it through. Thanks to a couple of break out performances (Kendrick and Wilson) alongside director Jason Moore keeping his acca- tongue firmly in acca- cheek, this is a fun flick which is worth a watch. Roll on Parts 2 & 3.
Rating 7.5/10 1.0 off for the leads being outshone, 1.0 off for the meh male lead and 0.5 for lining rather than arcing.
Pitch Perfect is about an all girl, college, acapella band and their attempt to re-establish themselves after a disastrous performance, set up in the opening run of the movie. To regain their lost status, Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow) have to build from the bottom and recruit new members. Joining Aubrey and Chloe in the Barden Bellas are reluctant indie freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick), cocky Tasmanian Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), creepy quiet Lilly (Hana Mae Lee) and stereotypical Cynithia Rose (Ester Dean). There are others but they are nothing more than one joke characters and stage fillers.
The stars of the Pitch Perfect are set out as Kendrick, Camp and Snow however cream, as they say, rises and Kendrick is joined at the front of the stage by Rebel Wilson. Kendrick is suitably moody and morose for the first act then appears to embrace her inner songstress very quickly. Not so much an character arc, more a vertical line. She is easy to watch and carries the film along at the weaker points quite nicely. Wilson is everything that Hollywood thinks Melissa McCarthy is and fifty times funnier. She does enough in the background that is amusing but not distracting, funny but not scene stealing and touching but not saccharine. There is a natural aura about Wilson that shines through and as her character, Fat Amy, says "she is not really living unless she is 100% honest", and this is Wilson's greatest acting strength.
The male characters are played down, consisting of the Bella's rivals, the fabulously named, Treblemakers and Beca's love interest, Jesse (Skylar Astin). The Treblemakers are led by carefree narcissist Bumper (Adam DeVine), played as it should be as a panto baddie which is quite fun to watch. Jesse is less interesting and is fairly bland from start to finish.
The main plot is about the rise of the Bellas however there are nice asides into the blossoming relationship between Beca and Jesse such as a micro tribute to one of my favourite films which was an unexpected treat. This is quite touching stuff and does tip toe into the schmaltzy but you have to remember what you are signing up for when you delve into Pitch Perfect. Director Jason Moore takes his film on unconventional routes which is refreshing. It's not exactly M.Night Shyamalan but he pulls enough story surprises that results in the film being quirky and original.
The soundtrack jumps from eighties to modern (in 2012) and has enough toe tapping moments to keep this middle aged viewer from feeling hideously old. Covers of Madonna's Like a Virgin, Toni Basil's Mickey straight through to Kelly Clarkson's Since U been gone and Jessie J's Price Tag is enough to be accessible and recognisable for any age group while meandering into music that is perhaps not that familiar to everyone but very listenable.
Pitch Perfect is not going to be everyone's cup of tea and was a total turn off for some of my viewing compadres. For them it was way over the top, too kitsch and too silly. I am of the opinion that this film has its faults but it has enough big moments to see it through. Thanks to a couple of break out performances (Kendrick and Wilson) alongside director Jason Moore keeping his acca- tongue firmly in acca- cheek, this is a fun flick which is worth a watch. Roll on Parts 2 & 3.
Rating 7.5/10 1.0 off for the leads being outshone, 1.0 off for the meh male lead and 0.5 for lining rather than arcing.
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