Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)

The whole gang are back again to bring this moderately successful franchise to its conclusion. Well, the girls at least.

The Barden Bellas we know from the first two films have all graduated from college and gone on into their own individual lives. Although Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) is still in college, as she is younger than the others.

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is working as a producer, which is what she has wanted to do for a while. Her flatmate, Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is a street performer. Chloe (Brittany Snow) is a veterinary nurse, and all the others have their own careers in progress, too.

After Emily gets them all back together for a reunion, they reminisce about the days when they used to sing together, and Aubrey (Anna Camp) suggests they have one final fling together as a group. Her father works in the military, and she comes up with the idea that they can all perform in a USO show to entertain the troops in Europe.

The Bellas.

And so they all head off to Spain, pursued of course by John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks), who are filming a documentary - or d’aca’mentary.

When they arrive, it turns out there is a ‘competition’ of sorts: DJ Khaled is looking for an artist or group to be his support act on his latest tour, so the Bellas must prove themselves - taking on three other hugely successful groups - and everyone wants the prize, so it isn’t going to be easy.

On top of all that, Amy’s father Fergus (John Lithgow, with one of the worst Australian accents I’ve ever heard in a film) wants to reconnect with his estranged daughter, and has followed her to Europe in hopes of winning her back.

The screenplay, by Kay Cannon and Mike White, is actually quite clever. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing right up to the end. The characters are just the same as they have been in the previous two films, and still as funny as ever. In particular, I love the banter between John and Gail, which is certainly some of the film’s funniest dialogue.

John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks).

The film does have a very small amount of original music, written by composer Christophe Lennertz. The majority of the music in the film is of course the musical numbers and performances by the Bellas, and to a small extent, the other bands featured in this third instalment. As far as the Bellas’ music goes, these are vocal arrangements of existing popular songs, and these arrangements are absolutely fabulous. Of course, they come to life when performed by the cast, all of whom have incredible singing voices, and harmonise together very well.

The performances of the cast are, for the most part, brilliant. This is perhaps to be expected by this point, as most of the cast have been playing their characters through three films now. As mentioned above, John Lithgow’s Australian accent leaves a lot to be desired (it’s not as bad as Meryl Streep’s, but it’s not much better, either).

The standout performances would have to be those of Kendrick and Wilson, who also by now, have such a good rapport with each other, and complement each other in such a brilliantly comedic way.

Fergus (John Lithgow).

There is plenty of comedy in this film, but there is also plenty of drama, and mild thriller elements, too. Of course, the true star of the film is the music, both in the skill of the arrangements, and the skill of the performers.

Director Trish Sie has made an incredibly entertaining film. While this film may be the perfect conclusion to the trilogy, it is not - at least in my opinion - the best film of the trilogy (that honour goes to the second film). It is a shame that there won’t be another Pitch Perfect film, but if this is how it had to end, I for one am satisfied with the direction it took.

If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely give it a chance. I’d advise you to watch the first two films first, just so you know who everybody is.

7 out of 10.

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

The Barden Bellas are back for the second instalment of the popular series. And yes, the same cast have all returned (always a good sign with any sequel).

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is now a college senior, and she and her fellow Bellas - including Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), Chloe (Brittany Snow) and all your favourites from the first film - have three national titles under their belt.

However, at a special event celebrating the President’s birthday (and yes, Barack and Michelle Obama do feature in the scene), something goes terribly wrong, and as well as embarrassing themselves in front of the entire world, the Bellas are told they can no longer continue their ongoing national tour, and can not hold auditions for new members.

The Barden Bellas.

They can still, however, take their place at the World Championships (held once every four years), despite the fact that no one expects them to win, given that an American team have never won.

The favourites to take out the Worlds are Das Sound Machine from Germany, who have also taken over what was to have been the Bellas’ tour.

Beca - who is now dating Jesse (Skylar Astin) - has also started an internship at a recording studio, working for a very difficult boss (Keegan-Michael Key), which is taking precious time out of her commitments to the Bellas.

Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson).

Freshman Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) joins the Bellas this time around, taking advantage of a loophole that secures her a place because her mother (Katey Sagal) had been a Bella years ago while she was at college. Between the Bellas and being pursued by potential suitor and Treblemaker Benji (Ben Platt), she certainly has her hands full.

Kay Cannon’s screenplay is brilliant, echoing the tone and feel of the original (which she also wrote), and the characters are just as fun to watch as ever.

But it is of course the music that makes this film so special. All of the songs performed by not only the Bellas, but also the Treblemakers (the boys’ a capella group at Barden), Das Sound Machine, and many other a capella groups, are absolutely fantastic. The vocal harmonies are so tight, I had goosebumps watching the film, and the cast who perform them are so talented, not only as actors, but as singers and dancers as well.

John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks).

As with any film that features such an ensemble cast, it is difficult to name a standout performance. All the cast are fantastic in their respective roles, the majority of which are reprised from the original film, so they have been living these characters for a while now. However, a lot of the great comedic moments come from the banter between commentators John (John Michael Higgins) and Gail (Elizabeth Banks), and the majority of these moments were improvised, demonstrating the incredible talents of these two seasoned performers.

Director Elizabeth Banks has made a wonderfully enjoyable film here, suitable for the whole family, particularly if you enjoy music of any sort, predominantly vocal music of course. The film follows the original very well, and in some ways, this sequel is actually better than the original (and that’s not very common).

8 out of 10.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

If you enjoy acapella singing, you will love this movie. If you don’t enjoy acapella singing, seriously, what the hell is wrong with you? It’s aca-awesome, as a Bella might say!

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.