The 2013 MTV Movie Awards were not pitch perfect but Rebel Wilson's performance hit the right note, according to critics.
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Twenty-hours since the awards show took place in Los Angeles and the reaction to the Australian host dominated newspapers and entertainment news sites on Monday in the US.
“Rebel Wilson rocks,” E! Entertainment senior editor Marc Malkin said.
“From her Iron Magenta suit to her appreciation of Channing Tatum's buttocks, the Aussie funnylady killed it as a first-time host.”
Los Angeles Times movie and television reporter Glenn Whipp was scathing of the heavily scripted and advertorial style of the show. Wilson's self-deprecating style was one of the only positive aspects of his analysis.
“Wilson actually acquitted herself fairly well,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
“Wilson's opening Pitch Perfect musical set, which also included Miley Cyrus' The Climb, Eminem's Lose Yourself and Alicia Keys Girl on Fire, set the world (or at least any 12-year-old's world) on fire and a later joke about body acceptance both made a point while also comically trashing the idea that awards shows should be used to educate,” he said.
The Daily Beast rated the show as one of the “raunchiest” in its 20-year history thanks to Wilson's many references to pubic hair, oral sex and a skit that involved her exposing a fake breast with two nipples.
While many entertainment commentators were impressed with Wilson's cheeky approach, her koala shaped X-Ray camera called “Chlamydia” ruffled feathers during and after the show.
Nine-year-old Beasts of the Southern Wild star Quevenzhané Wallis, who was in the front row, was visibly uncomfortable during many segments of the show, which carries a parental warning, especially when “Chlamydia the camera” honed in on her teddy bear-shaped handbag.
A mock up screen shot showing bottles of alcohol flashed on screen and left Wallis and her minders looking confused.
“Maybe your next movie may be 'Beasts of the Southern Comfort',” Wilson said as Wallis shook her head.
“You know what they call drinking at age nine in Australia?” asked the host, aimed at the bemused Oscar-nominated child star.
“A late start.”
Wallis then headed backstage and spoke about her experiences at her first MTV Movie Awards.
“I'm only nine. I really don't need to look at stuff like that and hear things that,” she said.
Wallis was invited to the show as she, along with Wilson, was nominated for the best breakthrough performance award. She also presented another golden popcorn statue on the night.
