Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie Review

"7.6 million views?! That's...that's like a million views!"

Reviewed by Justin Dekker January 24, 2025

Leaping from the libretto of the 'Pitch Perfect' trilogy, 'Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The Peacock original series follows Bumper Allen (Adam DeVine) as he travels to Berlin at the behest of new manager Pieter Krämer (Flula Borg), a disgraced singer looking for redemption by turning the hapless Bumper into the next big German pop star. The series costars Sarah Hyland as Pieter's assistant Heidi, and Lera Abova as Germany's hippest DJ and music producer, DJ Das Boot. All six first-season episodes are included in this one-disc set. Neither a DVD nor a Digital Code are included.

Of all of the characters from the Pitch Perfect universe, Bumper Allen probably would have been voted "Character Least Likely" to get his own series. Yet five years after the credits rolled on the third film, here we are. Time has not been kind to Bumper. He works a dead-end job and still clings to dreams of music stardom, with his only upcoming performance being at a retirement center. After receiving a fateful phone from former competitor turned music manager, Pieter, who tells him his 80s mash-up of "99 Luftballoons" and "Take on Me" amassed 7.6 million views in Germany in the past week, Bumper travels to Germany, eager to follow Pieter's fool-proof plan of attaining stardom by working to secure a spot in the German Unity Day Concert.

The fast-paced thirty-minute episodes keep things moving at a brisk, but not breathless pace. Over the course of the six installments, he encounters a colorful cast of characters including his new nemesis (Pieter's former lover and bandmate) the nefarious Gisela (Jameela Jamil), Ursula (Katharina Thalbach), his disturbing and hilarious landlady, and, in a something of a casting coup for genre fans, Udo Kier, in the pivotal role of Klaus. Musical moments frequently erupt, some elaborately staged, others less so, but each is shorter than viewers may expect or want due to the length of each episode. Surprisingly heartfelt and typically very funny, the season's six episodes leave toes tapping in between, and sometimes during, the laughs.

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC-encoded 1080p transfer given to the six episodes of Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One is generally strong, with fine detail being very high. Facial and environmental particulars are frequently on display, with fine lines, flyaway hairs, aging paint, and textural elements of brickwork easily discernable. The color palette of the episodes is variable, sometimes tending to be quite natural, other times a sepia push is detected, and at other times, there is a decided blue push. Reds and other primaries have moments to pop, with Gisela's wardrobe choices and music videos consistently being the series' most colorfully dazzling scenes. The most significant concern is that blacks, even in naturally lit daytime scenes, can be a bit too oppressive and absorbing.

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The frequently immersive English DTS-HD Master Audio track is a winner. Opening with a musical number, viewers will instantly appreciate the surrounds being used in support of the music, handling percussion and harmonizing vocals while Bumper and the balance of the instruments are handled by the front channels. Bass is thumping and impressively deep and resonant. In other larger-scale performances, the viewer is placed in the middle of cheering crowds. Large spaces echo realistically, and dialogue is handled well. Directionality is strong. It's a well-balanced and engaging track.

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One is devoid of supplemental material.

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One is loaded with corny jokes, German humor, hilarious observations of German culture and society, and a significant amount of catchy music. The breezy episodes never overstay their welcome and the season is over far too quickly. Its six-episodes are easily consumed in a single sitting. As the second season was reportedly abandoned, a victim of the latest strikes that hit the entertainment industry, fans are limited to these six chapters that chronicle the further adventures of Bumper Allen and his friends. Luckily for viewers, most loose ends were resolved and this season is perfectly able to stand on its own. For Pitch Perfect fans, and those looking for some light-hearted laughs paired with solid musical numbers, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin: Season One comes recommended.