Beca is a big-town girl being led to carry out the life of a small-town college freshman. She is angst-ridden because her father (who she has a cordial relationship with at best) does not support her aspirations to become a DJ/music producer, and he has forced her to enroll at the university where he teaches. On her first day, as she makes her way about the quad touring the school’s activities fair, she is stopped by two very perky co-eds who encourage her to try out for their singing group The Bellas. The leaders of The Bellas go on to explain to Beca that these singing groups are the biggest thing on campus, and that this year, they plan to crush their rivals the Treble Makers. Though she initially declines the audition, she quickly changes her mind when her father makes her an offer she cannot refuse: if Beca makes a real effort to get the college experience for a year, he will let her drop out and move to Los Angeles to pursue her dream. And thus begins Beca’s exposure to the world of competitive acapella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From start to finish, you can predict exactly how the plot will unfold in this flick. Beca, played by Tony Award-nominated (bet you didn’t know that one) actress Anna Kendrick, is your textbook withdrawn and rebellious teen who finds that she just can’t help it—she likes singing with these girls and she wants to let the nerdy-but-cool acapella geek (Skylar Astin) into her heart. Yet, easy plot forecasting takes nothing away from the clever quick-quips and entertaining song arrangements.  Add the comedic timing of cast members like Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson, of Bridesmaids fame), John Michael Higgins (The Break Up), and even Kendrick, and you have yourself a winning combination that keeps you laughing and tapping your foot throughout. Enough said, folks. Go see the movie, I guarantee you will enjoy yourself—if not for the creative story, at least for the comedy and beautiful voices.