Let me start off by saying that I have never read the graphic novels on which this movie is based. I cannot personally comment on how closely the movie tracks with the original source material but from everything I have heard it is very close throughout the movie. As for the movie on its own merit? Scott Pilgrim vs The World is a visually stunning film that moves at a feverish pace. It never lets up on the gas from start to finish except for a few small moments to catch your breath. Even the dialogue heavy scenes have a certain action movie quality to them due to the top notch editing.
The movie dives right into the main plot quickly which is Scott Pilgrim becoming enamored with Ramona Flowers. He subsequently has to take on Ramona’s seven evil exes in classic videogame battle formats. The movie’s love for the early Super NES game is replete with classic sound effects, leveling up and characters exploding into coins once defeated. The movie heads right where you think it will but does it with grace, humor and such uniqueness that I found myself grinning from ear to ear through several of the movies key moments. Director Edgar Wright does a masterful job of bringing Scott Pilgrim and his world to life. Just as a song interlude from any classic musical propels the story forward but isn’t recognized as out of place, the film’s battle scenes are outrageously funny and over the top only to return to “normalcy” once completed.
Many of the scenes are akin to watching a ferocious volley at a tennis match. The biggest difference being that once a point is won and the audience collectively sighs relief, Scott Pilgrim’s editing moves you immediately into the next scene using some ingenious tricks. Within moments you can be transported from a desert to a dive bar to a cold Toronto evening.
The frenetic pace is only matched by the frenetic score and soundtrack. Some great new music from Beck along with a powerful score from Nigel Godrich (A producer who has worked with artists like Radiohead, Beck and Travis) propel the movie forward. The music is its own character and provides great emotional cords for many of the characters. In this day and age CD’s are becoming more and more phased out but this is one I will be purchasing soon for the collection.
If there was one weak point to the movie, it would be the acting overall. Michael Cera plays Michael Cera playing Scott Pilgrim. If you have already formed an opinion on the actor either way this film will only serve to strengthen that. The supporting cast of Jason Schwartzman, Brandon Routh, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans and many more is largely over the top which is what was intended. Kieran Culkin (Wallace Wells) and Ellen Wong (Knives Chau) are the brightest spots in terms of acting and obvious passion for their respective characters. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona Flowers) does little more than play aloof throughout the entire movie and never really changes her emotions or facial expressions from one scene to the next. Granted, this is part of her character’s emotional baggage but she doesn’t make much of a believable connection with Cera.
I have never seen a movie quite like Scott Pilgrim. It blends 8-bit videogame madness with comic book references. The written words splashed on screen to the matching sound effects are inspired. As for a
rating, I always feel there is too much interpretation left open to each individual viewer. They should make their own judgement on any movie. My
advice for Scott Pilgrim is to go and see this movie as soon as you can.