--- title: "Pitch Perfect: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/pitch-perfect/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/pitch-perfect" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Pitch Perfect (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 19 reviews: 11 positive, 6 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics find Pitch Perfect an enjoyable musical comedy whose cast makes the familiar underdog story worth following. Praise centres on Rebel Wilson’s comic timing and deadpan delivery, with Anna Kendrick also earning credit for an assured, appealing lead performance. The ensemble, sharp one-liners and inventive a cappella arrangements give the positive reviews plenty to recommend, even when the plotting offers few surprises. The spread is fairly wide, with reservations ranging from a need for trimming to objections about the humour itself. Several critics find the characterisation thin or stereotypical, while others question the gross-out jokes and uneven tone. Digital Spy considers the humour lazy and the characters shallow, though it still singles out Wilson as a strength. Den of Geek takes a similarly negative view of the script’s mean-spiritedness but praises the singing. The main divide is over how much the performances compensate for the writing. ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 August 2018. Edelstein calls the film an exhilarating pick-me-up and praises its buoyant, inventive musical comedy. He especially singles out the cast, choreography, and soundtrack for making the performances silly, emotionally pure, and joyful. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/movie-review-pitch-perfect.html?imw=Y) ## The Guardian — Henry Barnes Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2012. The review calls it one of the best musical comedies in years. It praises Anna Kendrick’s assured lead and especially Rebel Wilson’s comic performance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/20/pitch-perfect-review) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2012. Chang calls the film a cheeky delight, while noting that its nearly two-hour runtime could use trimming. He singles out Rebel Wilson’s comic performance and the film’s saucy script and strong cast for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/pitch-perfect-1117948415/) ## IndieWire — Kimber Myers Rating B+. 27 September 2012. The critic finds the comedy thoroughly enjoyable, funny, and infectious despite some weak characterization. She especially praises Rebel Wilson’s performance and the inventive, well-sung musical arrangements. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-pitch-perfect-hits-all-the-right-notes-105555/) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2012. Richards finds the film a very funny, smartly written teen comedy, even if its musical performances are less compelling. He especially praises the ensemble cast and the sharp, well-observed characters. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pitch-perfect-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2012. McCarthy finds the film an enjoyably snarky, nerdy and sexy campus musical comedy. He praises the lively cast and the consistently engaging performances, especially Anna Kendrick’s transformation from wary outsider to group leader. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pitch-perfect-film-review-373979/) ## Slant Magazine — Andrew Schenker Rating 3/4. 25 September 2012. Schenker finds the film cliché-ridden but enlivened by its comic distance and good-natured fun. He singles out the rousing finale, where the Bellas perform a mix-tape-style number, as its most pleasurable moment. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pitch-perfect/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film sweet-natured and consistently funny despite some excessive gross-out jokes. Rebel Wilson’s breakout performance is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/pitch-perfect-2) ## Screen Daily — Brent Simon Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2012. The paywall hides the critic’s verdict and specific praise or criticism. The visible page identifies Jason Moore’s 2012 film and its runtime. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/pitch-perfect/5046997.article) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/3/2. 20 December 2012. Jenkins finds the comedy slipshod and lightweight, though it has a few striking moments. He singles out Anna Kendrick’s one-take cup-percussion performance as the film’s standout. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/pitch-perfect) ## Radio Times — Karen Krizanovich Rating 3/5. The critic calls it bigger, meaner and funnier than Glee, giving the campus comedy a positive verdict. They praise Beca’s role in helping the Barden Bellas revamp their act, while noting some stereotypical characters. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-q1poyo/pitch-perfect/) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 3/5. 18 December 2012. The accessible page identifies this as a review but provides no review text, so its verdict cannot be established. The metadata mentions Rebel Wilson, but does not reveal what the critic praises or criticizes about her performance. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pitch-perfect) ## Total Film — Ken McIntyre Rating 3/5. 17 December 2012. The critic finds the comedy an entertaining, satisfying tribute to misfits, despite its uneven tone and familiar TV-drama pacing. Rebel Wilson’s scene-stealing humor and Anna Kendrick’s performance are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/pitch-perfect-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 September 2012. The critic finds the film a charming, buoyant comedy despite its familiar underdog story. They praise the appealing ensemble and the inventive a cappella musical selections. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/pitch-perfect-review-tuneful-college-comedy-stays-key-58216/) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2013. The critic finds the film formulaic but winning and enjoyable. They single out the charming ensemble, especially Rebel Wilson, as a major strength. [Read the review](https://collider.com/pitch-perfect-blu-ray-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Joe Cunningham Rating 3.5/5. 21 December 2012. The critic finds Pitch Perfect an enjoyable comedy despite its shortcomings. Rebel Wilson’s comic timing and the film’s one-liners stand out, while weak plotting and characterization let it down. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/pitch-perfect-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2012. The URL identifies this as a review of the 2012 film, but the page is blocked and its verdict cannot be verified. The review’s specific praise or criticism is unavailable. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-pitch-perfect-hits-all-the-right-notes-20120927/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Rating 2/5. 19 December 2012. Mellor finds the comedy mean-spirited and its script lacking in heart, despite an appealing cast. She singles out the singing as the film’s success, while criticizing its reliance on stereotypes for laughs. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pitch-perfect-review/) ## Digital Spy — Emma Dibdin Rating 2/5. 21 December 2012. Dibdin gives the film a strongly negative verdict, finding its humour lazy and its characters shallow. She singles out Rebel Wilson’s deadpan performance as the film’s best feature. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a446209/pitch-perfect-review-anna-kendrick-stars-in-grating-music-com/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/pitch-perfect.md