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Pitch Perfectis back (sort of), withPitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin.And if you thought Adam DeVine’s Bumper Allen was the best part of the a cappella infused musical comedy franchise, then maybe you’ll actually enjoy Peacock’s spinoff series focused on the bumbling musician. The rest of us, unfortunately, are in for a grating and (mostly) unpleasant viewing experience.
The Barton BellasarePitch Perfect. They’re the heart, soul and voice of the franchise. Shifting the focus from the Bellas to the minor character of Bumper, whom acted as a vocal rival in the firstPitch Perfectand the love interest to ‘Fat Amy’ (Rebel Wilson) inPitch Perfect 2, is a bold choice that will have most fans screeching “Aca-Scuce me?!”
Also Read:I Love You, You Hate Me Review: A Fascinating Exploration Into Barney’s Dark History
Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlinfinds Bumper Allen still pursing his dream of being a professional musician; however, that dream isn’t quite going as planned. So, when a video featuring Bumper’s musical talents goes viral in Germany, Bumper moves to Berlin to chase his fifteen minutes of fame. Acting as his manager is Pieter Krämer (Flula Borg). Pieter was the leader of Das Sound Machine, a German a cappella troupe that threatened to defeat the Bellas in the franchise’s second installment.
Among the biggest hurdles faced byPitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlinis Adam Devine’s inability to carry the franchise on his own. DeVine is a fine comedian, but his acting is often one note, stuck in the cyclical rut of playing the same character in every role he’s cast. That character often works, as it did in his breakout seriesWorkaholics; but it fails to fill the gap left by Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson’s absence. Couple that with DeVine’s limited vocal abilities (one rendition of Aqua’s pop hit “Barbie Girl” was especially strenuous to endure), and you have a recipe for a disappointing spin-off, running on the fumes of its predecessor’s successes.
A shining spot in this mostly tarnished production is Sarah Hyland (The Wedding Year). As Heidi she brings a vibrance and exuberance that the series largely lacks. While she can’t replace the Bellas, she delivers on the charm and vocal talents needed in aPitch Perfectproperty. Surprisingly enough, she may be theonlycast member with a voice worthy of thePitch Perfecttitle.
Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlinunfortunately continues the franchise’s downward spiral in quality, devolving from a genuinely hilarious story about finding yourself, into a slapstick spewing attempt at cheap laughs. Some of those laughsdoland, and I found myself moderately amused in a “turn off your brain and let it play in the background” sort of way. However; I was hoping forPitch Perfect, and this pitch was way off.
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Joshua Ryan
Lead Film & TV Critics Editor
Articles Published :322
Born and raised in Central Florida, Joshua Ryan has harbored a love for cinema since the earliest years of his childhood. Through endless hours of watching Turner Classic Movies, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock, his passion for film and film criticism grew. As an adult, he channeled that passion into a career as the editor and lead critic of FandomWire’s film and television department.
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