Movie Monday #16: Pitch Perfect

We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen.  We cringe at casting.  We scoff at release dates.  All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations.  Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't.  We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set.  All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Pitch Perfect
Director: Jason Moore
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin
Release date: October 5, 2012
Based on: Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapkin

Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.
-----------------------------------
The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. But after she meets Jesse, from the rival all-male a cappella group, Beca has a new outlook and takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition.

So, I finally watched Pitch Perfect over the weekend.  I've had it DVRd for a couple months, probably, and after Natalie's glowing review, I knew I had to see it, despite my lack of enthusiasm for the show Glee, which I assumed is what this movie would be like.  But it wasn't, at least not as far as I can tell.  Honestly, I've tried to watch Glee a few times, but I just don't get the draw.

Anyway, it wasn't until I was putting together this post that I realized this movie was actually based on a book.  One I've never heard of, but whatever.  It was actually pretty hilarious.  Campy, but hilarious.

[Their bus starts to sputter and slow]
Aubrey: What the hell?
Fat Amy: It's pretty cool, actually... I think we're just running out of gas.
Aubrey: No, that can't be! You just filled the tank!
Fat Amy: Yeah, I did! And yet, maybe I didn't, because I got hit by flying Mexican food.
[the bus sputters to a stop]
Fat Amy: And we're out.
Aubrey: A-ca-scuse me?
Fat Amy: A-ca-believe it! 

What really made this movie for me was the characters and the actors who portrayed them so raucously.  I liked the two nice kid main characters, played by Anna Kendrick and Skylar Astin.  I kind of love everything I've seen Anna Kendrick in -- even that one series.  But the most fun came when Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids) or Adam DeVine (Workaholics) had screen time.  They are over-the-top and had me laughing hysterically, which also made me glad no one was around to see the giggle-snorts.

It was also fun seeing Elizabeth Banks as one of the commentators for the competition that the a cappella groups attend, and I even believe I saw her name listed in the credits as a producer.  I adore this woman's affection for the young adult genre in general.

This movie is full of witty dialogue, girl-bonding, and a sweet romance that never felt saccharin or took center stage.  (Pun intended.)  Pitch Perfect is what Glee wishes it could be.  I'll be keeping this one on hand when I need a good laugh.

Have you read the book?  Did you even know there was a book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Have you seen the movie or do you have any plans to?