It’s easy to say that the Barden Bellas have arrived to the party a little late. Pitch Perfect is an a capella-filled satirical musical romp that could easily pass as Glee‘s cooler collegiate cousin. In the respect that the film features sweetly-staged songbird showcases of today’s Top 40 and yesteryear’s musical memories, it is. However, Pitch doesn’t care about overcoming adversity, being yourself, or simply being nice.

This attitude is enforced with a conservative Bible Belt whip in the hands of Anna Camp’s poisoned-honey-dipped leader, Aubrey, one of campus’ competing a capella clubs. However, Camp’s performance is so exquisitely portrayed with sterile white straight laces that we don’t see where clashing with her would be necessary. Neither does Brittany Snow’s Chloe, the co-captain who shakes up her supportive mother hen of the ladies by broadcasting her health woes to the world.

Notable for the most un-Gleeful like conduct is the spunky Rebel Wilson who chooses to beat you to the punch when addressing her character as Fat Amy, who seems to be the only character not on a quest for perfection, as she vivaciously vrooms up one of Aubrey’s strict routines for “Turn the Beat Around.” While she is who she is and nothing more, nor less, Anna Kendrick, in (FINALLY) a leading role, is also in search of her own life of perfection. A life that doesn’t include joining the Bellas, which she does, but instead includes a life full of mixing and matching tunes as the next glorified DJ that the mainstream will find to numbly worship next.

However, Kendrick’s Becca finds herself sashaying to dainty beatboxing renditions of songs, such as “The Sign,” while dressed as a flight attendant. …I’m going to pretend like I know that song, but I will confess that I rather enjoyed Aubrey’s version of it. Therefore, Becca, who has a strong personality, like everyone else in Pitch, a factor that gives the film a proper balance, feels the need to spice up their routine with a bit of flavor from this century.

What Becca doesn’t need, or what she doesn’t think she needs, is a significant other. Granted, Skylar Astin’s über-likable Jesse is a member of the Bellas’ arch rivals, the acclaimed fraternity of Treblemakers, but Becca could have the decency to throw such an affection-starved, and deserving, dog a bone. However, perhaps Pitch‘s constant battle of the sexes is the covert reason. When I say that Pitch forbids personal quirks and open-mindedness for striving for perfection, that includes a No Boys Allowed attitude. Still, Pitch Perfect does more than survive as it does indeed pitch slap us with bold, perfectly-played, characters, as well as popping musical performances.