Given the success of shows like Glee and The Sing Off, there is a strong and defined audience for musical,
choral, and a cappella performances on the small screen, but success with box
office audiences has been hit-or-miss in recent years. Given this reality, Pitch Perfect could initially be perceived as a hefty gamble, but
when one considers the clever humor showcased in the trailers and the talented
young cast, there was a significant chance that audiences would respond with
enthusiasm. Moving beyond the confines
of the Twilight franchise, Anna
Kendrick has been growing in popularity lately given her work across several
genres, starring in hits like Up in the
Air, 50/50, and End of Watch, but even with her
increasing star power, there was another cast member that would likely drive
ticket sales. Following a brief but
memorable performance in the 2011 mega-hit Bridesmaids,
actress, writer, and comedienne Rebel Wilson showcased considerable comedic
talent and timing; and given the trailers, she would make sure there were
plenty of laughs in Pitch Perfect. Add-in a ridiculously strong limited release
and high critical praise, and this newest musical comedy was poised to charm moviegoers.
Clever, charming, and downright hilarious, Pitch Perfect will appeal to audiences
across the board, as the stylish writing, performances, and characters help to
wholly redefine public perception of a musical film. Anna Kendrick is more than capable as the
sassy leading lady, but as predicted, Rebel Wilson dominates every single one
of her scenes, firing off one-liners that will have you roaring, all while
keeping the characters and narrative grounded.
Still, highlighting the performances of two actresses shouldn’t take
away from the contributions of the rest of the cast members, as every
individual brings a zany character to life flawlessly, making it so that
everyone in the audience will find a performer that they can relate to and
cheer through the competition. And, if
you thought you loved these characters beforehand, just wait until they pick up
a microphone and start singing; the a cappella routines throughout the film are
insanely entertaining, so much so that I defy you not to be dancing in your
seat. I don’t care whether you think you
don’t like music or not, I guarantee that you will enjoy Pitch Perfect.
