A Fine Conclusion, I Guess

Rating: 5/10 (23 December 2017)

Look, I'm not going to be the person who says that they love the original Pitch Perfect film and let that cloud my judgment into thinking its sequels are just as great because they're not. The release of Pitch Perfect back in 2012 was an anomaly. I quite enjoy watching that film and when Pitch Perfect 2 hit theatres, I found myself mildly enjoying it for the musical numbers but ultimately seeing it as a retread. Pitch Perfect 3 is now playing in theatres around the world and I can't say much more about this addition either if I'm being honest, but at least it tried to be different. If you're a fan of the first two, here are the elements that may intrigue you during your viewing of this third and probably final installment.
Pitch Perfect 3 follows the Bellas after they've graduated University and moved on to the real world, trying to start careers. When they all realize their lives are miserable without being a part of this team, they form together one last time to travel the world, performing for the troops. This leads them on a journey that will have them realize where they belong in life and possibly even sprout lifelong careers for them. Although incredibly uneven, this film intends to give a solid swan song to these characters in order to conclude a trilogy, and the result is satisfying for fans, but it's not enough to dig itself out of familiar territory.
As I mentioned, this is a film that tries to be very different, injecting family aspects and action sequences, but it feels like too much of a departure from the first two movies in terms of story. Many of the jokes are funny for fans of this trilogy, but many of them are sadly just repeats from past films. The best part about these two sequels are easily the musical numbers. I can replay certain scenes from Pitch Perfect 3 in my head and remember having a good time in the theatre, but I very soon realized the inconsistent premise when comparing it to its predecessors.
I will say that the third act of this film definitely does a good job in taking care of its characters and truly making you feel like this is the end of a trilogy, but it was a little too late for me by that time. Yes, I enjoyed the musical aspect of the movie, but the heart of the first film just isn't there anymore. Watching characters interact, fall in love, and build chemistry was truly what made me enjoy the first movie so much. Sadly, with many of the cast members mysteriously absent from this installment, it just felt off to me. It makes very lazy attempts to explain why they're no longer around, making me just want to watch the first two again.
In the end, I can't say that I disliked this movie, but I didn't like it that much as an overall product either. Yes, the musical numbers and mash-ups are awesome to hear and see performed, but the story itself, along with the interaction of the cast is what made the original as good as it is, and that is the main thing I couldn't seem to find here. I would recommend this movie to hardcore fans of the first two installments, but this movie is surely not for newcomers. I enjoyed the aspects of this film that called back to the first and second and certain characters are given their due, but I just can't truly recommend that a theatrical experience is necessary. Pitch Perfect 3 is a fine conclusion for fans, but not a very good movie overall.