Satisfying song-and-dance romp

In her recent starrer, “Pitch Perfect,” Anna Kendrick proved that an actor’s versatility and strong presence could transform a predictable movie musical into a fun and satisfying song-and-dance romp.

The triple-threat skills of the Oscar-nominated actress continue to impress as she portrays Beca, a DJ wannabe who’s forced to attend college and join The Bellas, an all-girl a cappella group led by Chloe (Brittany Snow) and Aubrey (Anna Camp), who must get their act together to beat the all-male Treble Makers—the reigning national champ!

Ample support

Filmmaker Jason Moore has a tough challenge to hurdle, because his film has protagonists who can easily be perceived as kooks and losers. But, screen outcasts have a way of evening up the score—especially if their leading diva happens to be Kendrick, who silences naysayers when she starts to sing.

She gets ample support from Snow, Camp and the fat-but-fabulous Rebel Wilson. Yes, the tale they tell may be familiar, but Moore and his come-from-behind vocal vixens execute it with relish and less kitsch. The film’s story doesn’t amount to much, but the music it delivers is, well, pitch-perfect!

The movie breathes dynamic life into a diverse line-up of Billboard-topping hits from the ’70s to the present—including must-hear covers of hits from the ’70s to the present.

The lineup includes Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium,” Dazz Band’s “Let It Whip,” Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are,” Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” Ace of Base’s “The Sign,” The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,”  The Jackson 5’s “Blame It On The Boogie,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity”—and different versions of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone!”