Pitch Perfect 3 (2017), directed by Trish Sie

Not as good as the first one but better than the second just about sums up this third outing of the a capella Bellas. Now graduated from college, the Bellas are finding the real world not so fun. A reunion sees them off on a tour to entertain US troops, along with a DJ, a country rock outfit and a badass girl group called Evermoist! The lame plot is punctuated by too few funny moments, but the saving grace is the music. The riff-offs particularly are always fun. It is somewhat bizarre that a tour to entertain US troops is in Spain, Italy and the south of France, rather than where troops are actually serving, but the rather important plot device of the super yacht wouldn’t really have worked in Afghanistan. The message of family first, whatever shape it comes in, is sweet but heavy-handed. A lowlight is John Lithgow’s awful Australian accent – like they couldn’t have found a real Aussie in Hollywood. Highlights include Rebel Wilson in full ninja mode and Ruby Rose performing Zombie. The Pitch Perfect franchise has contributed to the evidence that women-led movies can make lots of money. It has been a fun ride but it’s time to grow up and move on. Hopefully the talented troupe of singing actors will find more success and the studios will invest in more women-centred films.