It may be because I've seen too many movies proclaiming themselves to be Oscar frontrunners given their heavy-handed themes and artsy camera angles that I found Pitch Perfect refreshing and highly enjoyable to watch. I mean, watching Les Miserables alone made me want to drink alcohol, lock myself in my room, and try to forget the horror of Russell Crowe trying to sing on the same screen as Hugh Jackman.
On paper, Pitch Perfect's plot sounds tired and trite. Beca (Anna Kendrick), finds herself as a fish out of water in Barden University. She really wants to leave college, go to Los Angeles and be a DJ but her father is unsupportive. She wears heavy eye make-up and skips classes. She's a bad girl with no friends and a horrible attitude. Through fate and an unfortunately awkward yet funny scene in the bathroom, Beca becomes part of the Bellas, an acapella singing group headed by the perkiest of girls - always prim and poised to perfection, trying to regain their lost aca-glory by making it to the finals. After recruitment, we find the Bellas composed of a bunch of college losers and fellow non-conformists: a lesbian with a gambling addiction, a sexy lady who can't stop touching her privates every time she sings, an Asian girl who speaks and sings in whispers and a fat lady from Tanzania. Will they make it to the finals? Will they manage to bridge their differences and get their act together?
We all know the answers, of course. These all sound like the plot of a Glee episode. Fortunately, this is not that TV show, which has gone the way of preachy and unfunny instead of fun and edgy. What makes Pitch Perfect truly a joy to watch and interesting are the performances that are sung well and creatively. The finals alone are worth the ridiculous movie ticket price here in the City. Watch out for the Riff-off as the school's acapella groups try to outdo each other with the most unexpected of songs.
The cast's performances also come across as sincere thanks to actors such as Kendrick and Wilson. This makes it easier for us to cheer them on, to make us want them to succeed and go beyond everyone else's expectation. We want to see them win against the all-male acapella group, the Treblemakers, whose song numbers are initially more electrifying and relevant, and who have been aca-champions for several years. Rebel Wilson's Fat Amy is certainly a stand out in this film with her singing prowess, silly choreography (see her mermaid dance), and one-liners. Some people may find certain scenes and jokes crass and below the belt, but these are overcome by a story overflowing with heart and fun.
Over-all, Pitch Perfect is what Glee could have been and should have been if it had stayed the course of its first episode, if it had kept the plot edgy but tight, the performances heart-felt and the songs fun and creative.
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