Beca (Anna Kendrick) wants to be a music producer, but her father wants her to go to college and get a proper education. She enrols at Barden University, which has not one but two championship acapella groups, the all-girl Barden Bellas and the all-guy Treblemakers.
After meeting the two leaders of the Bellas – Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp) – she reluctantly auditions for the group, and is successful, which thrusts her head-first into the vicious dog-eat-dog world of acapella competitions.
That’s probably enough of the plot.
There is an incredible array of singing talent in this film. Of course, one would expect that in a film of this type, but the casting directors have really pulled out all the stops. Another great cast member is Rebel Wilson, as the hilarious ‘Fat Amy’ (who calls herself Fat Amy so that others won’t call her that behind her back!).
There are great cameos from Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins as Gail and John respectively, the commentary team from the televised competitions that both the Bellas and the Treblemakers participate in.
Also keep your eyes peeled for Ben Platt (Hint: He plays the role of Benji), who of course went on to play Evan Hansen in the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen, and won a Tony Award for his trouble.
Directed by Jason Moore, from a screenplay by Kay Cannon, which itself was from a book by Mickey Rapkin, this film will have you tapping your feet at every turn.
Unfortunately, there are no original songs in this film; all the songs performed are covers of existing popular music hits. Nevertheless, the arrangements of all the songs are a wonder to behold, and the entire cast’s ability to perform them will blow you away.
No matter how many times I watch this film – and it has been a few now, I must admit – it never fails to entertain.
8 out of 10.
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