Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
(B- or 2.5/4 stars)
The tagline for this film is this: Scott Pilgrim must 'defeat' his girlfriend's 7 evil exes in order to win-over her heart. And, well folks, that's basically all you need to know {haha}. I am not a comic book fanatic, nor am I really a video-gamer. That said, you don't necessarily need to be either of those to like and/or appreciate what Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) brings to the table as director of 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'; a film based on a 6-volume comic book series. As the movie opens, we don't really get that Scott (Michael Cera) doesn't exist in our own world. But we figure it out soon enough (it's as if he exists in an arcade game universe). Moving on. The initial info we learn about Scott is that his life is pretty carefree ...
He's a 22 yr. old dweeb, lives in Toronto, plays in a band, lives with a gay roommate (a hysterical Kieran Culkin), has a sister (Anna Kendrick), his parents are nowhere in sight, & he's dating a 17 yr. old high school girl named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong); don't worry, their young relationship comprises of 'only' holding hands. Scott ... is basically a loser. That said, his condescending pals (who make up his rock & roll band) aren't much better. They include characters played by Alison Pill, Mark Webber, & Johnny Simmons. One night, his carefree lifestyle changes, when, at a party, he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a rollerblading delivery girl whom he saw the previous night in his dreams; and it's here where we start to realize that he (and all else) may not be of our world. Though it's awkward, there is a connection btwn. Scott & Ramona; and a tenuous relationship begins.
BUT, much to Scott's chagrin, he discovers that in order for Ramona to stick around, he has to overcome the wrath of her 7 exes in one-on-one combat -- and those battles play-out onscreen like real-life video game fights (gravity-defying leaps, Nintendo-like special effects, neon lasers, etc.). See, defeating an ex (including Chris Evans & Brandon Routh) provides Scott with coins, points, & "power-up's"; all of which would grant him an extra life (remember, video game rules). Each victory gets him closer to the biggest battle yet; a chance to defeat Ramona's most controlling ex, Gideon (Jason Schwartzman), & walk away hand in hand with her. That said, before this 'game' is over, what will Knives Chau have to say (and do) about all of this?
Well, though I'm not over-the-moon wild about any of Edgar Wright's films (they all have uneven qualities), I always admire his parody, creativity, & filmmaking abilities. 'SPvs.tW' is certainly his most outlandish film to date. Outlandish, loony, bizarre, absurd, trippy, unique, etc. As the film wore on, I felt more & more like I was under the influence of drugs; & when walking to my car afterwards, I still felt like I was drugged {haha). It's rare that a movie does that to you; and I like that component of the film. Wright clearly knows a lot about this graphic comic book/video game source material, & he assayed it into cinematic form very well. I enjoyed how the fights play out like old school TV shows with pows, bams, whams & crashes littering the screen. In other instances, a character may be thinking something & we see a video game influenced diagram onscreen explaining their thoughts, etc.
I'd been tiring of Michael Cera, as of late. But he impressed me, here, as Scott Pilgrim; our dorky, lovelorn musician. Sure, Cera is playing another variation of characters he's played before. But the difference here is: the film is superior to his last batch, & his deadpan comedic timing is right-on. Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes for a likeable object of affection; though, the character of Ramona is shown more in an idyllic light, than as a person of substance. It's funny; Scott is likeable enough, as is Ramona. But I got more out of some of the side characters, the visual aesthetic, & the fun direction. Villain? Who cares. Narrative? Messy.
You know, there's so much to acknowledge about this film, & yet, I didn't find all of it enjoyable. I mean, it starts out with such verve & humor (so many great lines). The 'getting to know the characters' aspect of the plot is fantastic. But by the time the 5th & 6th (no less 7th) 'ex' enter the story, & the assault-on-your-senses climax began, my interest had already waned. Like most high energy comedies, this film lost steam after the 90 minute mark, & then rushed to squeeze in 6-volumes of material. That said, I praise 'SPvs.tW' for that early humor & it's visionary attributes. Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers - do I really care about where their relationship will take them? Ahh ... not really. BUT, similar to playing a video game: it's more fun 'during' it, than ultimately winning or losing (in this case, the girl). This is a pretentious, gimmicky, shallow, but often clever, meticulously edited, visually dazzling, & recommendable coming-of-age tale for a certain audience.
He's a 22 yr. old dweeb, lives in Toronto, plays in a band, lives with a gay roommate (a hysterical Kieran Culkin), has a sister (Anna Kendrick), his parents are nowhere in sight, & he's dating a 17 yr. old high school girl named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong); don't worry, their young relationship comprises of 'only' holding hands. Scott ... is basically a loser. That said, his condescending pals (who make up his rock & roll band) aren't much better. They include characters played by Alison Pill, Mark Webber, & Johnny Simmons. One night, his carefree lifestyle changes, when, at a party, he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a rollerblading delivery girl whom he saw the previous night in his dreams; and it's here where we start to realize that he (and all else) may not be of our world. Though it's awkward, there is a connection btwn. Scott & Ramona; and a tenuous relationship begins.
BUT, much to Scott's chagrin, he discovers that in order for Ramona to stick around, he has to overcome the wrath of her 7 exes in one-on-one combat -- and those battles play-out onscreen like real-life video game fights (gravity-defying leaps, Nintendo-like special effects, neon lasers, etc.). See, defeating an ex (including Chris Evans & Brandon Routh) provides Scott with coins, points, & "power-up's"; all of which would grant him an extra life (remember, video game rules). Each victory gets him closer to the biggest battle yet; a chance to defeat Ramona's most controlling ex, Gideon (Jason Schwartzman), & walk away hand in hand with her. That said, before this 'game' is over, what will Knives Chau have to say (and do) about all of this?
Well, though I'm not over-the-moon wild about any of Edgar Wright's films (they all have uneven qualities), I always admire his parody, creativity, & filmmaking abilities. 'SPvs.tW' is certainly his most outlandish film to date. Outlandish, loony, bizarre, absurd, trippy, unique, etc. As the film wore on, I felt more & more like I was under the influence of drugs; & when walking to my car afterwards, I still felt like I was drugged {haha). It's rare that a movie does that to you; and I like that component of the film. Wright clearly knows a lot about this graphic comic book/video game source material, & he assayed it into cinematic form very well. I enjoyed how the fights play out like old school TV shows with pows, bams, whams & crashes littering the screen. In other instances, a character may be thinking something & we see a video game influenced diagram onscreen explaining their thoughts, etc.
I'd been tiring of Michael Cera, as of late. But he impressed me, here, as Scott Pilgrim; our dorky, lovelorn musician. Sure, Cera is playing another variation of characters he's played before. But the difference here is: the film is superior to his last batch, & his deadpan comedic timing is right-on. Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes for a likeable object of affection; though, the character of Ramona is shown more in an idyllic light, than as a person of substance. It's funny; Scott is likeable enough, as is Ramona. But I got more out of some of the side characters, the visual aesthetic, & the fun direction. Villain? Who cares. Narrative? Messy.
You know, there's so much to acknowledge about this film, & yet, I didn't find all of it enjoyable. I mean, it starts out with such verve & humor (so many great lines). The 'getting to know the characters' aspect of the plot is fantastic. But by the time the 5th & 6th (no less 7th) 'ex' enter the story, & the assault-on-your-senses climax began, my interest had already waned. Like most high energy comedies, this film lost steam after the 90 minute mark, & then rushed to squeeze in 6-volumes of material. That said, I praise 'SPvs.tW' for that early humor & it's visionary attributes. Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers - do I really care about where their relationship will take them? Ahh ... not really. BUT, similar to playing a video game: it's more fun 'during' it, than ultimately winning or losing (in this case, the girl). This is a pretentious, gimmicky, shallow, but often clever, meticulously edited, visually dazzling, & recommendable coming-of-age tale for a certain audience.