USA 2017
Opening December 21, 2017
Directed by: Trish Sie
Writing credits: Kay Cannon, Mike White
Principal actors: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp
After graduation, the nine members of the college acapella group, the Bellas, must face the challenges of earning a living and establishing families. This takes them in different directions and they miss their familiar companionship. Therefore, it is no surprise that they jump at the opportunity to travel together to Europe to entertain American forces abroad under USO (United Service Organizations). They perform in Spain, Greece, Germany, etc., along with similar groups, which provides an undercurrent of competition. Becca (Kendrick) is the leader faced with a guilty conscience, when offered a solo performance. Fat Amy (Wilson) is surprised to see her long-forgotten father sail in on his yacht. Emily (Steinfeld) must write a new song. Soldiers and other musicians are attracted to their bubbly personalities.
The success of Pitch Perfect 1 (2012) and 2 (2015) paved the way for this sequel, which will predictably be successful among fans. The storyline never bogs down, because the slightest slip into repetition is interrupted by another excellent song, which perks up the enjoyment. The choir members are all beautiful, but still diverse to represent members of society: white, black, Asian, skinny, fat, etc. Each viewer can identify with someone. I’ll go for Fat Amy who wears a t-shirt that says, “Make American Eat Again.” We believe that they are in Europe, although it was all filmed in Atlanta, GA, USA. At my press showing there were about 20 young people, whom I had never seen at press showings before. I asked, “Are you singers?” One girl answered, “We are musical students.” I said, “Have you seen “Kinky Boots” (the musical which had premiered in Hamburg a week earlier)?” She said, “Oh, we’ve seen it four times already.” They loved Pitch Perfect 3. ()