DVD Review: Finding the First Pitch

Pitch Perfect, directed by Jason Moore and released December 18, 2012, is an amazing comedy that is entirely musically-inclined in one of the most creative ways. It starts with Beca (Anna Kendrick), a young college student who aspires to be a music producer and decides to join an all-female a capella group, The Barden Bellas. In doing so, she takes a giant leap out of her own comfort zone, with a push from her father, in hopes of being able to collaborate with the team. Along her experimental journey, she finds friendship and support from her wacky friends Chloe (Brittany Snow), Aubrey (Anna Camp), Cynthia (Ester Dean), and of course the ultimate loud and confident comedic relief Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), as well as even a romantic interest Jesse (Skylar Astin), who is in an opposing all male a capella group.

This highest-grossing musical comedy film of all time was filmed at Louisiana State University along with other productions such as The Reaping, Glory Road, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Pride. This franchise has sadly ventured to its conclusion, Pitch Perfect 3, making a half billion dollars. “The Pitch Perfect franchise has now grossed more than $500 million worldwide..,” said Laura Berger in her article about this silly and nonsensical trilogy. So far, the latest film has already acquired over $150 million.

Though it is merely just a comedy film with no deep, general concept, one could infer that this was definitely a movie focused on friendship and bonding. The ties between the strong female characters were not only hilarious, but absolutely heartwarming due to how accurately they depict modern day friendships, and how the characters created an alliance despite many of their personality differences.

I highly recommend this movie to not only get an inside look of what it looks like in the ‘girl world,’ but also to envision just how strong, bold, and courageous the young female leads are even if their individualities sometimes crash together. Overall, I give this movie a ⅘.

• Written by Laura Berger, “Pitch Perfect” Franchise Has Grossed Over Half a Billion Worldwide, published January 3, 2018. (https://blog.womenandhollywood.com/pitch-perfect-franchise-has-grossed-over-half-a-billion-worldwide-2b7b1ffce5e3)