Pitch Perfect

SnarkAI Score: 70/100

tldr:

While the review acknowledges that the movie has some strong aspects, such as its cast and the entertaining riff-off scenes, it also points out some flaws, such as the forced love story and the clinical nature of the competition songs. Additionally, the review notes that the movie has become somewhat dated, particularly in regards to Rebel Wilson's portrayal of Fat Amy. Overall, while the movie may be enjoyable as a comfort film, it may not be a standout in terms of quality or impact.

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It is a Beca/Chloe love story that the network insisted on adding a cishet romance to and no one can tell me different.

Beca & Chloe

More early Glee than High School Musical, the Pitch Perfect franchise was the somewhat surprising peak of the odd acapella craze that swept the world and then disappeared. A strong cast of Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and a bunch of ‘oh, i know them from that thing’ actors.

Rebel Wilson, or Fat Amy (Fat Patricia) is the but of her own jokes for a lot of the movie, in her own words ‘so skinny bitches like you’ can’t get their first. its one of the few raw and honest things we get from Fat Amy, she’s making the jokes because it hurts less when people laugh at your words than someone else saying them. Its a comment that’s never returned to in three movies, instead Amy’s presented as almost obnoxiously and certainly comically confident in herself. It reads somewhat strangely now with Rebel’s dramatic weight loss.

Pitch Perfect is one of my comfort movies, its something I’ve seen a half dozen times. Each watch I try and see if there is any evidence the guy was in the original shoot of the film or if he was cut in. Its hard to tell, he’s in almost no scenes with the Bella’s where he’s interacting with Beca in a meaningful way. Briefly in the outdoor party, an argument at the competition.

I’ve seen this film over and over again and I cannot tell you his name. His hobby is liking movies. That's not a hobby (and I say this writing a blog about movies!). His roommate is an awkward close-up magician who loves Star Wars. Bumper is a weird fat guy with surprising charisma.

Otherwise its her and him in her room, or on the quad or at the radio station. The whole relationship feels like it was bolted onto the real story.

Beca’ and Chloe’s first real interaction, naked in the shower staring into each others eyes harmonizing Titanium and Chloe being clear it's the song she uses when she’s dancing by herself starts their connection and then with the Bella’s around them they once again can’t take their eyes from each other as they merge “Her Eyes” and “Just the way you are”.

Chloe: “Her eyes, her eyes, make it look like the stars look like their not shining.”

Beca: "I was thinking 'bout her, thinking 'bout me. Thinking 'bout us, what we gon' be.”

The hoops you have to jump through when seeing those to look at each other, singing those lyrics, and believe the day-old oatmeal in the shape of a man is Beca’s passion is more than Chloe is more than our finest gymnasts could manage on their best day.

The competition songs are fun but a bit clinical. The riff-offs though, they’re where this franchise shines, even if it is something the Bella’s are absolutely terrible at.

Go get a hot chocolate, a bucket of popcorn and watch Pitch Perfect on a dark winter night and see if you can remember the name of that human equivalent of Lorum Ipsum.