Pitch Perfect 3 Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Pitch Perfect 3" offers a solid viewing experience, though it does not quite achieve the excellence of its 4K Ultra HD counterpart. The 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition transfer, presented in a faithful 1.85:1 aspect ratio, showcases vibrant and accurately saturated colors, particularly noticeable in the diverse clothing and makeup of the characters. Close-ups reveal intricate details in skin textures and fabric weaves, giving a rich depiction of even the finest elements like dust and lint. However, some shots appear softer, seemingly intended to flatter the cast's appearance.

Black levels provide commendable depth and shadow detail, although they do exhibit minor issues such as crush, which are more resolute on the UHD version. The overall detailing in close-ups is compelling and robust, especially in well-lit scenes. Despite delivering impressive color fidelity and definition, the Blu-ray presentation slightly falters with source noise, and noticeable artifacts appear in large red areas, substantially between the 24:35-24:40 mark. This digital noise and accompanying artifacts are not present on the Ultra HD release, making the latter the better choice for hardcore fans or those with upgraded home theater setups.

Overall, while the Blu-ray transfer of "Pitch Perfect 3" may not stand out as demo material, it maintains a high level of fidelity that should satisfy fans who have yet to transition to 4K equipment. The color grading is effectively neutral, ensuring natural and healthy skin tones throughout. For casual viewers or those without access to 4K technology, this Blu-ray release remains a capable and enjoyable alternative.

"Pitch Perfect 3" presents an exemplary DTS:X immersive HD soundtrack, replicating the same remarkable DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 core from the US Ultra HD Blu-ray release. Dialogue is consistently crisp and coherent, even amidst the film's rapid banter and song-dominated audio. Notably, the explosive cold open showcases robust surround action and LFE input, with dynamic soundscapes unfolding, particularly at the airbase scenes where the immersive background noise excels. The musical performances themselves, whether impromptu or staged, remain the track’s cornerstone, achieving an overall demo-quality presentation.

The DTS:X track invigorates the franchise’s traditional high audio standards, allowing vocals to soar with stunning clarity and precision. It adeptly balances the front sound stage with surround and LFE channels, delivering heavy bass that impressively complements the energetic songs. The rear and side channels are continuously engaged, producing a richly detailed audio environment. The climactic action sequence is sonically intense, featuring intricate and meticulously crafted sound fx that fully immerse the listener. Universal’s meticulous attention to seamless and precise stage movements ensures a total, accurately integrated surround experience.

Commendably, "Pitch Perfect 3" continues to excel in providing high-quality audio across both its HD and UHD formats. The opening a cappella rendition of the Universal theme exemplifies fine-tuned instrumental clarity and precise audio detailing, setting a high bar for subsequent musical numbers. These performances offer sweet sound transitions and well-defined stage locations that enhance immersion. From comprehensive low-end elements that offer refined support to microphones' reverb in expansive concert sequences, every sound is flawlessly integrated. Special effects, such as an overwhelmingly loud jet engine and subtle metallic hints at key moments, contribute to a compelling auditory experience. This DTS:X track is undoubtedly one of the finest in recent home entertainment releases.

The Blu-ray release of "Pitch Perfect 3" brings a wealth of extra features, ensuring an in-depth and entertaining experience for fans. It includes two insightful audio commentaries, one from Director Trish Sie and another from Producers Paul Brooks and Max Handelman, covering various aspects of production and providing substantive behind-the-scenes insights. The collection of additional content spans new musical performances, extended sequences, a single deleted scene, and a gag reel to light-heartedly wrap things up. Several featurettes dive into the thematic and production details, such as the camaraderie among the cast, the empowerment of women in filmmaking, and the logistics of shooting in Atlanta. Specific highlights include music segments that didn't make the final cut and detailed breakdowns of key scenes and characters.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scene: Aubrey at Amy's Hotel Door.
• Gag Reel: Humorous behind-the-scenes moments.
• New Musical Performances: Additional music not seen in the film.
• Extended Musical Performances: Longer versions of musical numbers.
• A Cappella Action: A detailed look at key music scenes.
• The Women of Pitch Perfect 3: Examining the female-driven production.
• The Final Performance: Behind-the-scenes of the concluding musical number.
• Hollywood of the South: Insights on filming in Atlanta.

Pitch Perfect 3 brings back The Bellas for their final outing, though it struggles to capture the charm of its predecessors. The narrative ensures the team is reunited for a USO tour, leading to an international competition to open for DJ Khaled. Despite this promising setup, the film is marred by an uninspired direction from Trish Sie and a lack of cohesive storytelling. The film's humor feels forced, and the musical elements, once the franchise's cornerstone, fail to impress with their pedestrian arrangements. Even the attempted emotional beats and climactic action sequences feel jarringly out of place.

While Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and the rest of the cast deliver committed performances, their efforts are overshadowed by a formulaic plot and contrived drama. Screenwriters Kay Cannon and Mike White attempt to inject depth through subplots involving Amy's (Rebel Wilson) reunion with her father, played by John Lithgow, but these narrative threads do not significantly uplift the overall experience. The film's most honest moments are too often undermined by erratic shifts in tone, alternating between insincere drama and exaggerated comedy.

Ultimately, Pitch Perfect 3 operates on autopilot, recycling established beats without innovation. The series concludes with a visually appealing final performance that showcases commendable sound engineering, but it lacks the meaningfulness some fans might have hoped for. For a trilogy that began with a fresh take on musical comedies, this installment feels more like an obligatory box-checker, appealing mainly to die-hard fans rather than breaking new ground.

"Pitch Perfect 3" provides a mixed bag as the concluding chapter to the beloved franchise. While the film falters in its narrative cohesion and some plot choices, such as Fat Amy's implausible kung fu scenes, which might strain fans' goodwill from the earlier acts, it retains the series' core charm with entertaining musical numbers and likable performances from its ensemble cast, including Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson. The Blu-ray release excels technically, showcasing strong 1080p video quality with a 1.85:1 AVC aspect ratio and impeccable audio offerings in DTS:X for English, and DTS-HD HR 7.1 for Spanish, among others.

The ensemble's storylines lack the depth expected from a finale, with many characters fading into the background without significant resolutions offstage. However, the film compensates with a visually and emotionally satisfying ending number that is both well-executed and joyous, serving as a bittersweet farewell to the Bellas. The accompanying soundtrack, dance routines, and seamless narrative flow between musical performances maintain the high-energy escapism consistent throughout the series.

Universal’s Region Free UK Blu-ray release stands out with strong video and exceptional audio, complete with English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. Additionally, the release features a robust selection of extra content that fans will appreciate. While die-hard enthusiasts might contemplate importing the U.S. Ultra HD version for potentially superior video quality, this edition should suffice for most.

In conclusion, "Pitch Perfect 3" may not strike all the high notes ardent fans hoped for, but it remains a pleasurable reunion with the Bellas. This final act might be a mixed end to the story but is nonetheless an enjoyably heartfelt culmination of the series. Franchise followers embracing adjusted expectations will find satisfaction in revisiting these beloved characters and witnessing their last musical hurrah.