Pitch Perfect

Can we all give a hand for PITCH PERFECT? It's a joy to watch a comedy like this, which wraps you up in belly laughs and catchy songs and makes whatever ails you seem far, far away. Let's take it from the top: Kendrick is a delight. Not only can she act -- though we knew that already from the wonderful Up in the Air -- she can also sing! Plus, special kudos to Rebel Wilson, whose subversively awesome Fat Amy won't be forgotten anytime soon. In fact, all of the a cappella troupes assembled here (or the voices behind them) are awesome. Never mind that they're kitschy and earnest and seriously competitive about their craft (which, in some circles, is considered decidedly uncool). The beauty of it is they don't care; they just want to make music.

Pitch Perfect pokes fun at a cappella performers of all stripes, but mostly with lots of heart and pride. That said, sometimes the film can't quite seem to decide whether it champions young women (which on the whole, it appears to) or not. The fat jokes can be wince-inducing, though Wilson makes them work; the liberal use of the words "slut" and "bitch" to refer to women is also a concern. (Still, the most obvious misogynist does get called out, and in a delicious way.) It also relies a little too heavily on a gross-out vomit meme. These complaints aside, Pitch Perfect hits lots of the right notes and will leave you in stitches and singing long after the credits roll.