Pitch Perfect 3 doesn’t quite live up to the franchise, but at least the music is still pretty a-ca-mazing [review]

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The original Barden Bellas, now struggling graduates out in the real world, reunite for one last moment on stage together

Nicola Chan |
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Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson reprise their roles as Beca and Fat Amy for Pitch Perfect 3.

Everyone’s favourite all-girl a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, continue to delight viewers with their a-ca-mazing voices in Pitch Perfect 3, but along with college life, some of the humour of the previous sequels is gone.

The Bellas have now graduated, gone their separate ways, and are each struggling to earn a living from a job they don’t enjoy. So when Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) invites the group to attend a reunion, the ladies jump at the chance to sing together again – only to be disappointed when they find that it’s actually Emily and her new Bellas who will be performing. Still, it’s enough to make the old Bellas realise how much they miss each other, and they decide to seize one last moment in the spotlight.

The majority of the film revolves around Beca (Anna Kendrick) and Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). Both Kendrick and Wilson are on top form as ever, capturing the essence of their characters perfectly, but their performances will come as no surprise to PP fans.

The overall plot arrangement, meanwhile, feels a little loose. The film seemingly aims to give each Bella her own role, story and happy ending, but the cost is that there isn’t enough time for the audience to properly engage or invest in any of these individual developments.

Despite the flaws in the plot and a not quite as dazzling script, one thing viewers can count on is the brilliant musical performances they have come to expect.

Pitch Perfect 3 is perhaps not as a-ca-ppealing or a-ca-musing as its forerunners, but the Bellas’ stage glamour and eternal sisterhood are still worthy of your time and money.

Edited by Charlotte Ames-Ettridge

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