Monday, June 26, 2017

Movie Review: "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

Director: Edgar Wright
Year: 2010
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

Bassist Scott Pilgrim falls in love with a rather unique woman, but in order to be with her, he must first defeat her seven evil exes.

"Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" is directed by Edgar Wright, who is known for his films like "Shaun of the Dead" and "The World's End" He also wrote the movie along Michael Bacall. It is based on a graphic novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley. It stars Michael Cera as titular Scott Pilgrim, the bass player for the Canadian garage band Sex Bob Omb. One evening, he sees a woman with vibrant fuchsia-pink colored hair named Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whom he immediately falls in love with despite that fact that he's already in a relationship with a 17-year-old named Knives Chau, played by Ellen Wong. In order to be with Ramona, Scott must first defeat Ramona's seven evil exes in combat battles to the death. Joining them in this wonderful but bizarre movie is a stellar cast including Alison Pill, Mark Webber, Johnny Simmons, Kieran Culkin, Aubrey Plaza, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Chris Evans, Mae Whitman, Brandon Routh, and Jason Schwartzman.

Edgar Wright is an astonishingly great filmmaker, and his directorial efforts on "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" are no exception. This is an absolutely amazing, fun-filled movie. Wright has done a splendid and whimsical job in building this universe where it's like living in a video game (a wonderful, magical Canadian video game). There is such a distinct, cool aesthetic to what is, at its core, a romantic comedy. It makes a story we've heard and seen a thousand times before feel revitalized and fresh. The visuals are nothing short of brilliant, especially in the fight sequences where Scott must battle it out with Ramona's seven exes. The colors, the costumes, the music, every aspect of this movie makes it quirky and wildly amusing.

Michael Cera is a great casting choice as a somewhat immature, insecure early 20's-something bass player. It is a bit of a type-cast for him, but he plays it well and with conviction. We believe him as a guy who wants to get the girl, but has to do so in a very different way than simply asking her for her number. There is also a lot of great humor in "Scott Pilgrim," whether it comes from Scott's self-deprecation, Wallace's charm as Scott's gay roommate, Knives' obsessive Sex Bob Omb fanaticism, or the increasing level of nastiness as Scott progresses through Ramona's evil exes. Wright also inserts sound effects, cultural markers, and music into the mix to enhance the entire experience.

It had been a long time since we watched "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," and upon revisiting it, we had smiles on our faces pretty much from beginning to end while watching this fun, zany, video game-esque flick. If you haven't had the chance to see this film, you must seek it out because it is stupendous. We have seen all of Edgar Wright's movies and he hasn't made a bad one yet as far as we're concerned. It is unfortunate that an interesting, out there film as good as this one didn't do well at the box office while far inferior movies rake in millions. 


My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 9.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 81%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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