A feisty coed joins a collegiate a cappella group and upgrades their song selection for the 21st century during the run-up to a major competition in this melodic comedy from Tony-nominated Avenue Q director Jason Moore. Drifting past the various cliques after arriving at college, Beca (Anna Kendrick) pays more attention to the jams pumping in her headphones than the people she passes on her way to class. But all that changes the moment she stumbles into the one place where every misfit has a voice -- the campus a cappella group. Although the competition amongst the singers proves surprisingly fierce, there's just one aspect of the group Beca can't wrap her head around: All of the songs they perform are at least a decade old. Convinced that they can do better by adding some contemporary tunes into the mix, Beca whips up an exciting new set list that will set the group apart and leave their rivals in the dust. Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, and Rebel Wilson co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
This is basically "Glee: The Movie." And with an all-girls approach to it. The marketing made it seem like Fat Amy is the star of the film, when it's really Beca, played by Anna Kendrick, although Amy (Rebel Wilson) steals the spotlight in most scenes she's in, and is the real star. The premise is the stuffy and traditional acapella girls group The Bellas gets a fresh breath of air when they recruit the less attractive, but more energetic new girls following an embarassment from last year that has left them on the bottom of the college social ladder. Pretty much, the same kind of "new guy/girl comes in and shakes things up" premise in any movie starring college students. The movie is funny, but moreso for women than men, most likely. It's a fun, neat little Comedy/Musical, but it's nothing new or original. The singing is good, with a lot of recognizable songs. You might like it or hate it, but I enjoyed Pitch Perfect.