649. Pitch Perfect

Forget the trailers: they make Pitch Perfect look like an a Capella version of Step Up or the like.
Fortunately, my old mucker Graham Young, film reviewer of the Birmingham Mail, gave me high hopes by claiming it was the best comedy musical since Hairspray.
I can only apologise if this seems rather camp but I absolutely loved Hairspray. Thus, his comparison was a little over-egged but I have to agree there are still laughs aplenty.
In fact, more than 24 hours later, Miss W is still impersonating one of the characters.
In all honesty, the storyline is unpromising: an all girl college singing group is trying to steal the thunder from a lads' squad which always wins the competitions.
On the last occasion the lasses' challenge ended with embarrassment when one of the singers projectile vomited across the audience.
Now this is exactly the reason my reviews contain vomit warnings. I know there are people out there who suffer from emetophobia (fear of anything to do with being sick). This movie is definitely not for them.
Indeed, I still have grave doubts that blowing chunks, as the Americans call it, is very funny.
But, fortunately, director Jason Moore's first movie is a lot more than piles of puke (although they certainly feature).
So, back to the plot: the girls' singing team is forced into signing freshers who are a little different to its previous image of wholesome, pretty skinnies.
Brought in are a lass who calls herself Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), a nymphomaniac (Alexis Knapp), a butch lesbian (Ester Dean), the girl with the quietest speaking voice in the world (Hana Mae Lee) and an unsociable loner (Anna Kendrick).
They join up with the squad's snotty leader (Anna Camp) and her lieutenant (Brittany Snow, who, incidentally, was in Hairspray).
Anyway, the path to A Capella success is not an easy one and there are a glut of physical gags along the way.
Most of the big laughs belong to Wilson although Mrs W and Miss W were so taken with Lee, the subject of their mimicking
There is also the genius of John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks (who also produced the film) in the commentary box during each singing contest (they made me think of a rather raunchy Statler and Waldorf).
What should also be mentioned is the number of brilliant singing voices in this picture. Wilson, in particular, is a revelation.
Sure, no one will be surprised by the movie's conclusion nor is it very deep but if you want a good giggle this holiday season, this would be worth a couple of hours of your time.
Laughs: Seven out loud and a lot of chortles.
Jumps: none
Vomit: More than any film this year - yuk!
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10