Cinema’s favorite a cappella group returns for its third round of overcoming odds, slaying competitions, and making ‘aca’ into a prefix, despite the members allegedly being held to university-level grammar. But that kind of silliness is at the heart of the franchise, and Pitch Perfect 3 is not about to deviate from the jackpot formula they’ve built.
Credit for the series’ unexpected success can and should be spread around, but it’s important not to overlook Kay Cannon, who wrote all three movies and somehow made this idiosyncratic world accessible. It looks like she’s upped the stakes in this installment (how they end up on an exploding boat is beyond me), but she’s kept the core of what fans want front and center.
While dropping most of the boys, the female cast has remained intact, and the addition of Ruby Rose as leader of a competing band is a big get for the franchise. Elizabeth Banks chose to set down as director, clearing the way for Step Up All In helmer and frequent Ok Go collaborator Trish Sie.
Banks’ busy schedule was to blame, and as several of the cast members have seen their careers boom since the series began, it’s kind of surprising that everyone was able to get together for another go. With a tagline like ‘Last call, Pitches’, this seems to be the final hurrah for the Bellas, so maybe that exploding boat is just them going out with a bang.
Pitch Perfect 3 is directed by Trish Sie and stars Anna Kendrick, Ruby Rose, and Elizabeth Banks. It will be released in the U.S. and the U.K. on December 22nd, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
Are you excited for another round of a cappella competition? Let us know in the comments!
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