Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Universal Pictures. The opinions are completely the author’s based on his own experience and review of the product.
Pitch Perfect 3 is what some might call a fan service film. This essentially means that, while it could appeal to everyone, it mostly exists to please the already established fans of the franchise. All the character quirks and jokes that began with the original in 2012 and carried on through its 2015 sequel are on full display here. This is a film that knows what it is and doesn’t make any qualms about what it’s selling. Much like its predecessors, it elevates itself due to the winning chemistry of its cast and musical numbers that become instantly catchy. What else could you want from a franchise that has thrived on these elements?
Fans responded to these familiar elements with unfiltered enthusiasm. Despite a rotten score of 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, Pitch Perfect 3 grossed $183 million worldwide (with $104.9 million of that coming from the domestic front). This was all on a budget of $45 million and in the process, it became the second highest grossing musical comedy of all-time, behind only its predecessor. Was a third film entirely necessary? Not at all, but judging from the extras featured on this Blu-ray, the film was made with the best of intentions and as a clear love letter to the fans that have allowed this franchise to clear $565 million at the worldwide box office.
The Bellas have graduated from college and are trying to independently make it in the real world away from their music and away from one another. But it’s simply not working out. A frustrated Beca (Anna Kendrick) has quit her job, as have the others, each feeling enslaved to a world of which they want no part. Aubrey (Anna Camp) pitches a perfect idea: the group can reunite and perform for the troops with the USO, but there’s a catch: a competition is underway at the USO, and the winning group will open for DJ Khaled. The Bellas find themselves in fierce competition with several very good and very worthy acts. Along the way to proving themselves to DJ Khaled, outside interference, internal strife, and individual opportunities all threaten to derail their chances.
There’s a streak of self-reflection throughout Pitch Perfect 3, pointing out the formulaic tics of the franchise. There is a quick and witty response to Beca and her “Cups” audition while almost every character’s quirks that we have grown to love, get their fair share of laughs here as well. Aubrey is still wonderfully high-strung, Chloe (Brittany Snow) still loves to compete, Cynthia (Ester Dean) still drops lesbian inspired quips, Lily (Hana Mae Lee) is still as weird as can be, and Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), is still…Fat Amy. They all provide the audience with the character traits they love and despite any flaws that arise, it makes the film entirely watchable from start to finish.
At only 90 minutes, Pitch Perfect 3 is perfectly breezy. It comes in, does its job, pleases the fans and doesn’t overstay its welcome. The novelty isn’t quite the same as it was in 2012 but that’s to be expected. The concept isn’t as fresh as it once was but all the necessary elements are on display for solid entertainment. Music has always been one of the franchise’s biggest attributes and that continues to be the case here. The riff-off has been a standard of the first two films and it gets one last go-round here for one of the best musical moments of the movie. Setting it apart this time around is that, realizing that riffing off in a public setting could seem a bit ridiculous, the film pokes fun at it while still providing some solid covers of familiar tunes. All the music in the third installment is memorable, from the rousing finale of George Michael’s “Freedom! 90” to the opening cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” which finally finds its place as an overlaying theme for a high-tension espionage montage.
That brings me to what seems to be an issue that most critics had with the film. Adding to the drama are some serious daddy issues. Fat Amy’s long-lost father (John Lithgow) turns up for a reconciliation, but he’s got more nefarious ulterior motives, and the girls have to put their special ACA-skills to work to derail him. Yes, it’s very out of place and ridiculous but it presents the plot with a bit of self-awareness that allows it to work within the world created in the film. I found myself laughing with the moment rather than at it and that’s a sign that, despite how silly it is, the film manages to make it work in a weird way. We’re always seeking originality in movies and I’d have to say that this is probably the only spy movie subplot that will involve a choreographed performance of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” deployed as a diversionary tactic.
Even after three outings, the cast still doesn’t miss a beat. Even though Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are still the stars here, the film is more of an ensemble piece for the entire cast. Every member gets a moment to shine and just about all of them gets a laugh. Also, if you’ve been a fan since the beginning, every member of the group gets a fitting conclusion to their stories. There’s a lot of joy watching cast who seems to really get along and enjoy what they’re doing and that infectious energy continues to be the greatest asset of the franchise.
Pitch Perfect 3 ends on a perfectly executed number that’s an aesthetic joy and, really, the best possible ending for a franchise that never really pushed too many boundaries. This film, and the two before it, are merely pleasant escapes, which seems to be the case with many movies these days and its success shows that a lot of moviegoers prefer escapism entertainment. Pitch Perfect 3 does its thing very well. The actors are fine in the roles, the dance and song routines are enjoyable, and there’s enough of an essential framework narrative to keep things moving in between numbers. In essence, Pitch Perfect 3 is the perfect send-off, never straying from the formula but rather fine-tuning it as it moves towards a heartfelt and highly enjoyable final routine to send the Bellas off in the best way possible.
Film Score:
Bluray Video Score:
Pitch Perfect 3’s 1080p transfer delivers a solid viewing experience. Colors are nicely defined, boasting impressive saturation and pop across a number of diversely toned clothes, while support environments and small but critical details like eye and lip colors in close-up appear accurate and full-bodied. The film was digitally photographed, and essentials like facial definition and clothing lines are especially clean and revealing. Close-ups are particularly impressive, with very fine skin and fabric (even small bits of dust and lint) details easy to see in all their complex (or makeup-enhanced) glory. This isn’t going to be a sample disc to show off how well your Blu-ray pops but for the sake of this film, the video is more than adequate.
Bluray Audio Score: 
Pitch Perfect 3 features a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack that certainly delivers on all fronts.The opening acapella riff on the Universal theme music is sonically interesting and enjoyably rich, presenting with plenty of discrete effects all over the stage and featuring fluid, effortlessly clear and highly detailed notes. The resultant unique listening experience is only the first of several sonic highlights in the film. Various musical performances follow suit, all with some degree of seamless and precise stage location and easy, well-defined movements resulting in total and accurate surround integration. The best of the sound presentation arrives in the film’s (and the series’) finale. A large, enveloping performance, beginning with Beca and eventually including all of the girls, offers fine-tuned instrumental clarity and precise lyrical definition. It’s a sensational sonic moment and the sense of total integration; the fine-point, sweet and smooth sound transitions; and the effortlessly integrated overhead support make for one of the most fluid and perfectly immersive moments on the disc. This is an audio track that DTS and Universal should be proud of and it’s reference quality in terms of concert level music.
Bluray Extras: 
The extras on the Pitch Perfect 3 Blu-ray are adequate but, speaking as a fan, I wish some of the behind the scenes features were a tad longer. Two Audio Commentaries make up some ground but it seems like more time could’ve been put into each extra on the disc to give fans a little bit more. A DVD and a Movies Anywhere digital copy are also included with purchase. Here is a breakdown of the Blu-ray extras:
- New Musical Performances (1080p): Additional music not seen in the film. Included are Fat Amy & Fergus Casino Duet (2:38) and The Bellas: “See You Smile” Lullaby (1:45). The Casino Duet is highly entertaining but I can see why it was cut. It’s fun but goes a tad over the top, even for the franchise.
- Deleted Scene (1080p, 1:01): Aubrey at Amy’s Hotel Door.Extended Musical Performances (1080p): Included here are Evermoist: “How A Heart Unbreaks” (3:55), Young Sparrow/DJ Dragon Nuts: “You Got It” (1:56), and Saddle Up: “Ex’s and Ohs” (2:59).
- Gag Reel (1080p, 3:22).
- Competition Crescendo (1080p, 6:37): A discussion of the movie’s “Riff-Off” and how the competition is different in this film as well as a closer look at the new bands that appear in the film.
- A Cappella Action (1080p, 3:15): A discussion of the “campy” Bond-inspired music piece inspired by”Toxic.” It also explores the film’s yacht set piece.
- The Women of Pitch Perfect 3 (1080p, 4:21): A look at how the series empowers women and the female talent that makes the movies happen.
- Don’t Mess with Rebel (1080p, 4:27): A humorous piece that looks at the film’s action scenes and Rebel Wilson’s work dedication to making her action sequence work.
- The Headliner: DJ Khaled (1080p, 3:01): A look at the real-world superstar’s appearance in the film.
- The Final Note: John and Gail (1080p, 2:22): A short peek at the film’s silly documentarian characters that have become a staple of the franchise.
- Just Because He’s a Bad Guy… (1080p, 1:54): John Lithgow’s character and work in the film are looked at.
- The Final Performance (1080p, 4:30): Making the movie’s final musical number. In the film, it’s the most emotional music moment and we learn here that the reason for that is that it was shot last and was actually the final Bella performance.
- Official Music Video (1080p, 2:36): “Freedom! ’90 X Cups.” This was featured during NBC’s The Voice, before the film’s release. The video features the cast and some of The Voice finalist from the fall 2017 season of the show.
- Audio Commentary 1: Director Trish Sie delivers an informative track that covers the film’s structure and tone, technical tidbits and filmmaking anecdotes, character arcs, plot details, performances, shooting locations, music, and much more. Fans will want to give this one a listen because she goes into great detail in regards to directing the film Hollywood of the South (1080p, 2:28): Explores shooting the film in Atlanta.
- Audio Commentary 2: Producers Paul Brooks and Max Handelman (husband of producer and co-star of the film, Elizabeth Banks) offer a fine supporting commentary that’s a little less fluid and engaging than the previous one still filled with nice, albeit, basic insight.
In a nutshell, the Pitch Perfect 3 Blu-ray is a worthy purchase for fans of the franchise. It looks great. It sounds great and while I desired a bit more from the extras, there are still enough tidbits of information in them to please hardcore fans. You can purchase your copy here.
