Scott Pilgrim vs The World Movie Review

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s sitcom Spaced is a little gem of a show I came across ages ago when it first premiered in the UK. It still escapes me to this day how I managed to see it. The WHOLE series is available on Hulu, so anyone reading this should definitely check it out.

Wright has one of the most film-languagey visual styles around right now. When paired with the legendary cinematographer Bill Pope, you know your asshole is going to get blown out with crazy cut-aways, anamorphic lens glaring, and amazing compositions.  This movie was just plain cool.

Its glaring flaw is the fact that I never really knew what the fuck was going on…but that really isn’t the point is it? The film follows Scott Pilgrim as he falls for a chick Ramona. Pilgrim already has a sexy Asian girlfriend, but decides that the mysterious Ramona is more appealing. For some reason, that is never really explained, Pilgrim is forced to fight all of Romana’s exes…something I never really understood.

The film didn’t do well financially and I never saw it when it first came out because a practical reason for these show downs is never really explained. I know it is hard too justify that complaint because of how ludicrous the story is, but still…from the trailer I think people were saying, “What the fuck?” Moreover, I think everyone was tired of seeing an ironic, socially awkward Michael Cera. But this time he comes off as a confident, womanizing nerd – of sorts. I think another actor could have been better, but Cera was still mad cool.

But who really cares about the story? The movie moves so fast you don’t really have time to care. It gets tedious around fight four or five, but the material makes a point of trying its best by staying fresh and exciting the whole time.

The highlight, for me at least, is Scott’s roommate Wallace. Literally every time Scott’s roomie is on screen he is doing something hilarious. I was also happy that a gay character was able to be witty, progressive, and genuinely funny. Not just a Hard Gay character. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of Hard Gay, the Sacha Baron Cohon of Japan, watch this video, he’s so ridiculous:

Pilgrim really is a fanboy’s wet dream. That isn’t a lie. For the casual gamer, like myself, people will recognize such little gems as The Zelda Fairy music during Scott’s daydream. For the hardcore gamer, God only knows what Easter eggs are in there. The material could have actually used more. Very few times will a filmmaker get the keys to a 60 – 80 million dollar budget like this and I think Wright could have packed in a bit more.

Regardless, I want to see a special cut of the film on DVD. I saw it at a local dollar theater and am dying to hear some commentaries.

I say: B+ or Very Good.

-Collin