PITCH PERFECT

This film could have gone south very very quickly, falling deep into the clichés of a young or musical genre, but it doesn’t. Comedy and the music are well and truly at the forefront of this feature, with its little character development and predictable romantic subplot playing second fiddle throughout - there is a grateful lack of eye rolling at its attempts to forcefully inject sappy heartwarming moments of clarity and resolution. ‘Pitch Perfect’ never takes itself too seriously given its ridiculous concept, striking a perfect balance between the supreme talent involved in the skill of a cappella singing and its story.

Oscar and Tony award nominee Anna Kendrick takes centre stage here once again, showing off her impressive vocal talents as she’s done before in ‘Camp’ and ‘The Marc Pease Experience’. All the Bella girls are fantastic but the MVP award has to go to Australian Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy, with an honorable mention to comedian Hana Mae Lee as the low talker, Lilly. Both girls shred every frame of their screen time with effortless comedic timing and one-liners, as well as physical comedy prowess. Actor Elizabeth Banks, who also serves as a producer of the film, plays one half of an a cappella commentary duo alongside John Michael Higgins. Both are a passive aggressive and catty 21st century version of Statler and Waldorf - producing some of the best moments on screen.

Storyline aside, this film is great and irresistibly fun. Any lulls in its fast pace and high energy are fleeting. The laughs fly at you hard and fast, never missing a beat, and the music is infectious and invigorating in this rarely-heard or appreciated a cappella format. If you love ‘Glee’ you’re going to love ‘Pitch Perfect’, if you hate ‘Glee’... you’re going to love ‘Pitch Perfect’.