Scott Pilgrim vs The Worldby Patti MartinsonReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 7 Scott Pilgrim is a 22-year-old man living in Toronto, Canada. He plays bass in a band called "Sex Bob-Omb," lives with his 25-year-old gay roommate and dates 17-year-old Knives Chau. Scott's slacker-type life changes when he spots Ramona Flowers, an American transplant working as a messenger. Scott falls instantly in love with Ramona, but must battle her seven evil exes as he attempts to woo her.I was somewhat aware of the seven-part graphic novel on which this movie was based, but came into this movie with few pre-conceptions of what to expect. However, I was familiar with the kind of roles Michael Cera seems to get, so what I expected of him in particular is what I got. What I didn't quite expect is how well this movie is put together: the acting, the special effects, the editing, the music. Whoever did the editing deserves a particular nod. I knew there would be hipster references to video games and other similar in-jokes, but the movie was quite accessible to anyone whose only experience of video games is vaguely knowing that Mario is a plumber. A lot of folks might get the BIFF and POW graphics sprinkled throughout Scott's various fights, from their memories of the old Batman live-action series, which certainly was my first thought when I saw them. Michael does well as Scott and I found I could suspend my belief in his out-of-this-world ninja-skills, simply because they seemed pretty normal in the wacked-out way the fights are staged, with Scott repeatedly thrown against and through brick walls without a scratch. Punches that literally send people flying and laser beams out of fingers barely made my bat my eyes. The actors and actress playing the evil exes all did great, given that they had to be very broad in their characterizations given their short screen time. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is appropriately stand-offish and mysterious as Ramona, but she did manage to help make you invested in her relationship to Scott. The one character I particularly liked was Scott's gay roommate, Wallace, played by Kieran Culkin. He definitely stood out more in the scenes with Michael, and not because he was gay. It took a bit of effort to overcome noticing his strong resemblence to his brother, Macaulay, but he is a real gem in this movie. A good movie that appears to have done justice to the graphic novel, yet still be appealing to a more general public. Written: August 14, 2010
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