When Beca arrives at Barden University, she does not want to be there. Beca says as much early on, reminding her father of her dreams of producing music in Los Angeles. Finally, at a stalemate, Beca agrees to her father’s deal. If Beca can survive one year at Barden but still hates it, he will help her move to California. But, although Beca is sure nothing will keep her at college beyond the one year she promised, getting involved with the Barden Bellas accidentally sparks Beca’s involvement in activities and friendships. College does not just have to be about getting a degree; it can also be a place for trying new things and making unexpected friendships.
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Pitch Perfect never glamorizes college too much. The trilogy never preaches about college as the only avenue after high school. Instead, it shows how Beca’s world expands when she lowers her guard to allow herself to enjoy her time there. Furthermore, the significance of a college education is never boasted about by anyone other than Beca’s father, who never appears again after the first movie. Instead, it is more about people and the relationships and bonds they form. While the trilogy eventually goes beyond college, it is certainly one of the best series featuring the college experience.
Beca Doesn’t Want To Be There
Universal Pictures
One of the things about college is not everyone wants to go. Pitch Perfect embodies that mentality through Beca, who would rather pay her dues early in Los Angeles than go through four years of school, even if it is free. Beca does not become the protagonist who is thrilled to re-invent themselves in college, finally away from their awful high school reputation.
Instead, her actual classes are barely referenced other than revealing she is skipping at least one of them. When Beca does recognize what she appreciates about being at Barden, it has nothing to do with the university itself and everything to do with having grown close to the Bellas and Jesse.
A Story Of Redemption
Pitch Perfect begins with Aubrey’s wish for redemption. As a senior, she only has one chance to redeem herself for vomiting all over the audience during the Bellas’ performance at Lincoln Center. Aubrey’s need to prove herself and return to Lincoln Center to win the Finals is her motivation throughout the movie, especially knowing it is her last chance. The Bellas’ win at the end is perhaps a more significant success for Aubrey than anyone else, as she can graduate knowing she has succeeded.
Pitch Perfect 2 has a similar theme for the Bellas as a group. After Amy’s incident at the President’s birthday party, the Bellas are suspended. Without the chance to compete in Lincoln Center or recruit new members, as they are all seniors, the Bellas have one chance to redeem themselves at the Worlds Competition. Taking in Emily as a legacy, the group can secure the start of the next class of Bellas and take home the win, solidifying the Bellas to continue their reign at Barden.
The Fear Of Moving On
To avoid graduation, Chloe purposefully failed Russian Literature three times. Nevertheless, Chloe continued to be involved in the Bellas due to her love for the group and uncertainty about her future. Chloe and Beca argue briefly about the best time to leave college, considering how focused Chloe has been on the Worlds Competition rather than moving on from school.
Chloe is not the first to fear the unknown future, and while Pitch Perfect 2’s example of such a fear may be reaching slightly, Chloe’s confused emotions still come across as genuine. Her final decision to graduate delivers on Chloe determining that while she does not have her future planned out, it is time to leave college behind.
Embracing The Future
Beca gets an internship at a music studio throughout her senior year and works to prove herself. However, when Beca gets her boss’ attention in a Christmas mash-up, his offer to hear her demos does not go how she hoped. Still, Beca takes his notes on having an original voice and tries to come up with something new. Beca has always wanted to make music. So, being in an environment that challenges her skills and forces her to try new things, as well as letting her succeed at them, is a big step for Beca as she approaches her future
The Quarter-Life Crisis
Pitch Perfect 3 discusses what happens when you think you’re in the right field, but maybe not. A few years after graduating, Beca became a music producer in New York City. She has joined the music industry and working in her field. But her job is terrible. Beca is miserable and hates working with the other artists who have no interest in Beca’s desire to help them.
Chloe’s future as a veterinarian seems up in the air as she is not quite sure where things are going. Cynthia Rose’s future in the military is not looking entirely bright either. Aubrey has gone from enjoying her business to hating her job. Even Emily has lost her love for songwriting in the mess of academics and leading the Bellas. The conclusion of the movie reveals that everyone will be okay moving forward. Still, Pitch Perfect 3 discusses the uncertainty of not knowing where to go when the Bellas thought they had their futures set.
Chosen Family
The Pitch Perfect trilogy delivers on a chosen family the Bellas create. Aubrey and Chloe are the only two left of a previous set of Bellas, and it is clear that the new group they make is vastly different from what came before. But that works in everyone’s favor. Everyone brings something unique to the group, and their differences, linked together by their love for joining the Bellas, create a family dynamic for them.
Trying New Things
Beca was not looking for an a cappella group to join when she started Barden University. But, her decision to get involved is something new for her, and it also ties into her love for making music. Aubrey had no interest in trying things Beca’s way up until the Bellas confronted Aubrey about her behavior. But, unfortunately, Aubrey’s refusal to go against the traditional Bella way only held the group back. So, when Aubrey agrees to let go of the reigns and give Beca creative control, it allows Aubrey to give in to the Bellas, stepping away from old songs and flight attendant uniforms to something more twenty-first century.
Stepping Into The Spotlight
Benji and Emily share a similar desire when each at introduced. They both want to join their respective a cappella groups. However, Benji does not get his chance to shine until Bumper leaves the Treblemakers, opening a spot for Benji to join. Jesse gives Benji a solo, giving him a chance in the spotlight to show off his voice. In Pitch Perfect 2, Emily worries she’ll never have the opportunity to feel like a real Bella and solo at Lincoln Center. But, the Bellas prove her wrong, ensuring she feels like an actual group member. Emily even gets to solo her original song in the World Competition.
Confronting Past Personal Conflicts
For Beca, Amy, and Aubrey, their dynamics with their fathers hold a certain tension. Beca’s issues with her father date back to when her parents divorced. Then, her decision to shut everyone out made her feel like it was easier to avoid getting hurt. But, throughout Pitch Perfect, Beca realizes she can no longer do that and confronts her father directly to figure out how to get past her repetitive behavior.
Amy’s history with her father does not come into play until Pitch Perfect 3, when their almost random antagonistic dynamic does not quite make sense. Rather than move forward, Amy’s father is the villain. As for Aubrey, while her father finally appears on-screen at the end of Pitch Perfect 3, it was never suggested that he ever loosened the reigns regarding his expectations for Aubrey.
Leaving A Legacy
What type of legacy will the Barden Bellas leave? In Pitch Perfect 2, ensuring they could leave a positive legacy was one of the biggest points. In the Worlds Competition, the Bellas acknowledge their past, present, and future. The present Bellas puts on the central part of the show. They bring out generations of previous Bellas to honor their history. Emily sings the final note on stage, not only to give respect to “Flashlight,” being her original song, but it also highlights how the following year, Emily would be the only Barden Bella left in school and thus will be the one carrying the Bella name forward.
