The “Glee” effect has echoed its way on screen in the form of “Pitch Perfect,” a musical comedy that takes on the world of competitive collegiate a cappella singing.

Like that TV show “Glee,” “Pitch Perfect” revolves around a motley crew of colorful characters who share the passion to sing. Two rival a cappella groups intend to duke it out at a national competition.

At Barden University, a cappella is serious business. Beca (Anna Kendrick), a college freshman, is more interested in mixing songs as an aspiring DJ and working at the college radio station, but is recruited by the Bellas, the all-female a cappella group, when they hear her capable singing voice. The Bellas have a mission to dethrone their campus rivals, the all-male Treble Makers, who are the reigning champions. They also have a need for redemption after an embarrassing incident trashed the women’s chances at winning a national title. Also among the new recruits is the loud, wisecracking “Fat Amy” (Rebel Wilson), who gives herself this nickname because she knows that’s what people call her behind her back.

Tensions rise when Beca feels the Bellas can’t succeed if the songs they sing are outdated and suggests they go with newer tunes. When Beca gets close to Jesse (Skylar Astin), who works at the radio station and happens to be in the Treble Makers, she gets into further discord with Aubrey (Anna Camp), the Type A leader of the Bellas who enforces the group rules that dating rivals is off-limits.

The musical numbers are the strength of the movie, with snappy choreography and song mash-ups that put refreshing spins on older tunes. It’s apparent that the director, Jason Moore, who directed the Broadway hit “Avenue Q,” has experience with staging smooth song-and-dance numbers. In a contagiously fun scene called a “riff-off,” the two rival groups square off in an empty swimming pool by belting out songs that must match a particular subject.

Another strong point is the character of Fat Amy. Rebel Wilson, who first turned heads in “Bridesmaids,” steals scenes with her dry humor, bold behavior, and hilarious lines. When Bumper (Adam DeVine), the leader of the Treble Makers, suggests to Fat Amy they should kiss, Fat Amy replies, “I sometimes have the feeling I should do crystal meth, but then I think, hmmm…better not.”

The rest of the characters aren’t as fleshed out, and one feels the film could have explored the different personalities more. Apart from the competition and the budding romance between Beca and Skylar, the plot doesn’t have a whole lot going on and has some predictable elements.

There is also a curious characterization of Asian females in the film. One of them is Beca’s roommate, who is silent and unfriendly. This doesn’t seem to add anything to the film except to rehash stereotypes. The other Asian character is Lilly (Hana Mae Lee), a shy girl in the Bellas who, when speaking, can barely be heard. This brings up the question of how she even made the Bellas roster if no one can hear what she is saying or singing.

Yet, the charm and enjoyableness of “Pitch Perfect” is hard to resist, and the airy comedy will get you in a toe tapping, crooning mood.

 

Christine can be reached at: [email protected]