Movie Review: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' - an exhilarating piece of pop-filmmaking - Fort Lauderdale Movie

The cool kids: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Johnny Simmons, Ellen Wong, Allison Pill and Mark Webber in Edgar Wright's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." PHOTO: Universal Pictures

If there’s a geek heaven, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is probably what it looks like. The third feature from acclaimed British filmmaker Edgar Wright is an action-packed sucker punch rich with pop culture references from video games to comic books to anime, Bollywood, kung-fu films, “Star Wars” and even “Seinfeld.” It’s a live-action comic book/video game blended with a hipster romance scored to fist-pumping garage punk. It’s fast-paced, exhilarating and an absolute knockout!

Based off a popular series of graphic novels by Canadian writer Bryan Lee O’Malley, the movie tells the story of 22-year-old Toronto native Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), a perennial underachiever (read: slacker) who plays for a struggling rock band called Sex Bob-omb alongside the anxiety-prone Stephen Stills (Mark Webber), cool-as-ice Young Neil (Johnny Simmons) and feisty Kim Pine (Alison Pill). Though it’s never clear whether he works or not, Scott spends his days moping about his ex-girlfriend in indie record stores alongside his obsessive yet adorable 17-year-old girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). His evenings, on the other hand, are spent being mocked by his smart-ass gay roommate Wallace Wells’ (a fantastic Kieran Culkin).

SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD

While Scott ponders pathetically whether to move past half-base with Knives, his life takes a startling turn when Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the girl of his dreams (literally) skates into his world. Ramona, with her ever-changing hair color (kind of like Clementine from “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), roller blades, too cool-for-school attitude, and curvy figure is something out of a manga comic – unattainable, mysterious and yea, way out of his Scott’s league. But somehow she strangely warms up to him and the two are soon embarking on a very ill-advised relationship.

It’s all well and good for Scott until he realizes, rather hilariously, that in order to date Ramona, he’s going to have to defeat, repeat defeat her seven evil exes (played gamely by Chris Evans, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman among others). And by defeat, I mean, fight to the death, “Street Fighter”/“Tekken” style. Yea, it comes at you suddenly and shockingly, especially since until then, we’re neck deep in hipster romance territory.

But this is where “Scott Pilgrim” soars! It takes a sweet romance and blasts off into full-on video game mode, complete with level-ups, bonus rounds, “Guitar Hero” battles and Hong Kong-style martial arts sequences photographed by “The Matrix” trilogy cinematographer Bill Pope. In fact, every ex takes the form of a video game level boss with his own set of powers and goons. And like every video game, the exes keep getting progressively difficult. Defeat them and Scott gains points, self-worth and perhaps even a life!

Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead share an
awkward moment in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."
PHOTO: Universal Pictures

Alongside the video game play, Wright also populates the mise en scene with comic book staples such as split screens, zippy jump cuts, animated flashbacks, Facebook-style character profiles, and best of all, onomatopoeia sound effects be it whenever someone rings a doorbell (Ding Dong!), gets punched in the face (K-POW!), thrown through the sky (WIZZ!) or crashes through a wall (CRASH!). While there have been other comic-book adaptations that have attempted re-creating the look and feel of a comic book(“Wanted,” “Kick-Ass” and “American Splendor” for example), none have actually felt like being in one the way “Pilgrim” does.

Populating a film with such attractive, yet distracting stylistic choices can easily become an annoying and potentially fatal decision but writer-director Edgar Wright, the true star of the picture, seamlessly wraps the comic and video game aesthetics within the realm of the charming love story and flawed characters we care about. With only three films under his belt, Wright (who also wrote and directed the cult classics “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”) is slowing growing into one of the 21st century’s most exciting filmmakers. “Scott Pilgrim” may not be his best work (I still prefer “Hot Fuzz”), but like Christopher Nolan and “Inception,” it represents his most ambitious undertaking and achievement. I for one can’t wait to see what he tackles next.

Michael Cera prepares for a duel in "Scott Pilgrim vs.
the World." PHOTO: Universal Pictures

Acting wise, “Scott Pilgrim” boasts one of the most impressive ensembles of the year. As much as I dislike Michael Cera and his one-note school of acting, he’s tolerable here. It’s his most mature and compelling (not to mention physically demanding) performance to date – a bit better than his funny turn in this January’s “Youth in Revolt.” Maybe he does have a little bit of range after all (a big maybe!). Winstead is also good as the enigmatic Ramona who may or may not be worth all the effort. However, it’s the supporting cast that really sells the movie. Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman and Brandon Routh are all ridiculously over-the-top and hilarious as evil exes who walk and talk like comic book super-villains. The phenomenal Kieran Culkin steals the movie as Scott’s gay roommate Wallace who always has a slick reply whenever Scott has a problem. Maybe I would have liked to have seen Culkin in the role of Scott instead as he’s a performer with far more depth and range. The wonderful Anna Kendrick is also strong as Scott’s protective older sister.

VERDICT: “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a hyper-stylized and inventive comic book adaptation that seamlessly blends video game and comic book aesthetics with pop cultural references, comedy and a killer soundtrack to tell a charming love story. While the premise and story might not appeal to older audiences, everyone who’s ever played a video game, read a comic book or enjoyed a whimsical hipster romance will find themselves thoroughly entertained. Plus with a can’t-miss ensemble cast of some of the Hollywood’s brightest young talents and fantastic direction by Edgar Wright, this is one of the year’s best and visually dazzling movies.

GRADE:

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Written by: Edgar Wright & Michael Bacall
Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Jason Schwartzman, Anna Kendrick
Rated: PG-13 (for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.)