There is no way on Gods green earth, in any circumstance - regardless of alternative opinion and factually without question, am I not now, nor ever have been or in any doubt of ever becoming a Gleek! i.e Fan of the American Smash hit - Glee. (That said - the episode in season 1 with the football team reinacting Beyonce's Single Ladies is well worth a view on you tube) but apart from that, its just not my bag.So - with that said, a movie about acapella singing in an American college with competitions and prizes and BFF''s did make me wonder about my ethics when I found myself chuckling along to the Trailer for Pitch Perfect.
There is no denying that anyone else who has seen this 3 minute piece preceding most movies since November would have found themselves toe tapping along to some over familiar pop songs and like me, laughing out loud at the 'Fat Amy' line so brilliantly written for Rebel Wilson, star of Bridesmaids & A Few Best Men. Throw in a Twilight star (Anna Kendrick) as the leading lady along with a host of hunnies from movies ranging from Hairspray to Wrestle mania and you end up with on paper looks like the worlds greatest chick flick,
But you'd be wrong.As a heterosexual male (albeit the wrong side of 35) I thoroughly enjoyed this movie from start to finish - it takes Glee, mixes it with X-Factor, throws in a bit of So You Think you can Dance along with a slice of BGT, then - manages to mix some Hollywood glamour, a few thumping tunes in an epic soundtrack and before you know it you have a completely adorable movie that is one of the best feel good films of recent times.
And its not just the girls that Rock! - let me explain.
This movie charts the 1st year voyage through college for freshman Beca (Kendrick). A loner with a passion for remixing recent tracks with older classics on her well advertised Mac Book Pro. Not keen to interact with others she finds herself auditioning (brilliantly) for the Bella's, a group of all female acapella singers only comparable (in truth) to a modern version of the Flying Pickets. They square off annually to the competing male group the TrebleMakers (great names) who although lead by a total dumb ass - manage to completely rock the stage at every turn. After a dismal performance in the 2011 finals its time for our intrepid clan of vocal beauties to reform & re-educate those used to a dated routine and with the help of mix master Beca - rejuvenate an old idea to reinvent themselves and come out champions in the 2012 finals.
I cant say a bad word about this movie. The love story is well written between Beca and lead male vocalist Jesse (Skylar Astin) and the collation of a fantastic group of female singers will knock your socks off with Fat Amy (Wilson) again, singled out as a stand out performance although she doesn't get ALL the laughs this time around. For the astute hearing among you, listen out for she sheepishly quiet but utterly hilarious quotes from the softly spoken Lilly (Hana Mae Lee) which if you aren't paying attention you will miss and completely lose out on some of the most random lines ever perceived in movie history.
The story builds through regionals at the same time as back stories develop including the relationship on campus between Beca and her slightly rude roommate Kimmi Jin, Jesse and his even weirder (yet vocally brilliant) Star Wars junkie roomie Benji and the most Apple product placement seen on screen since Volvo secured the Twilight franchise.I would almost guarantee that this movie wont disappoint anyone who takes the time to give it a chance - the remixes are awesome - the vocals are stunning and the brilliantly cast competition compares (Elizabeth Banks & John Michael Higgins) are as hilariously brilliant as you could ever expect.
We took our daughter to this (9) thinking it was a kiddie based movie but it wasn't - although its a 12A so there were a few excusable swears staggered throughout and a modest shower scene (nothing on show) but it was enough to make us feel a little awkward - luckily, there is much more emphasis on the singing and competition so in our mind - it was an acceptable compromise.I wont go on any more - a great story, fast paced & bouncy with some of the best singing you will see at the cinema - with a 'beats' styled backing track that will make the best DJ's reconsider their own set lists this is a real heartwarming movie that will have you clapping and whooping along before you know what you're doing. Enjoy!
