Pitch Perfect 3 reunites the Barden Bellas, a strictly female acapella group serving pop songs, for one last hurrah.
When the original Pitch Perfect hit movie theaters six years ago, audiences raved about its fresh new story line and cheesy — yet lovable — cast. Many anticipated its arrival, as FOX’s production of the TV show “Glee” had re-popularized acapella groups.
In the franchise’s first film, Anna Kendrick assumes the role of Beca Mitchell, where she joins the Barden Bellas, a campus acapella group. She faces hardship regarding the group’s leadership yet wins the finals due to the strength of sisterhood. With Pitch Perfect 2, the writers followed a storyline similar to the first film.
The Bellas are alumnae in Pitch Perfect 3, but their story can be boiled down to a plot akin to the others. The Bellas, out of college and in the real world, desire to sing together one last time. Their wish is fulfilled when perfectionist Aubrey’s father allows them to perform in a USO tour with other musical groups around Europe. There is a twist: One group is handpicked by DJ Khalid at the tour’s end to open for him in concert. Is it really a Pitch Perfect film without a little competition?
It isn’t a surprise as much as an expectation that Pitch Perfect 3 retains a plotline similar to its counterparts.
The film’s basic storyline works in the first two films to a degree, but backfires in the third film when the writers added an unnecessary action subplot, forgetting the difference between a teen comedy and a thrilling action movie. As shown in the opening scene, Amy’s father kidnaps the Barden Bellas to claim his daughter’s $180 million inheritance. This irrelevant action strays away from the movie’s generic plot, but adds to the lighthearted nature of the film.
Parallel to the others, the movie thrives on the comedic genius of Rebel Wilson as “Fat Amy.” Wilson carries out her one liners with vibrance and wit. Her unpredictable manner and eccentricities allow her wildcard actions to be slightly convincing yet hilarious all at once.
For fans of the original Pitch Perfect, there is no need to fear; the Barden Bellas bring back the essentials from the first film. They engage in a riff-off against rival competitors and bring back the iconic Bella performance flight attendant attire in an early scene.
Although Pitch Perfect 3 takes on more than it can handle with the action subplot, it maintains the aspect of sisterhood evident in the first two films, which evokes audience nostalgia. The Barden Bellas always strive to make the dreams of their sisters a reality, a theme that makes Pitch Perfect 3 lovable despite its flaws.
