Have you ever dated someone with a really creepy ex you’ve had to deal with? A stalker ex, or the ex that’s still harboring major feelings and would love nothing more than to see you disappear?
How about seven evil exes, including a vegan who can punch holes in the moon, a ninja and twins that can summon dragons from their amps?
Director Edgar Wright (“Hot Fuzz,” “Shaun of the Dead”) takes the story of a young man trying to overcome obstacles (which are all attempting to kill him, as it turns out) to show his love for the woman of his dreams, and brings it to life in a very unique way with “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”
Based on Brian Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) must defeat the League of the Evil Exes to date Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the girl using his dreams as a convenient way to travel. He also has to deal with his girlfriend, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), his gay roommate Wallace (Kieran Culkin), and his band, Sex Bob-Omb, which is competing in the Toronto International Battle of the Bands for a contract with famous producer “G-man” Graves (Jason Schwartzman).
If that sounds ridiculous to you, don’t get caught thinking it ends there. Sword fights, hipster demon chicks and skateboarding at over 300 mph are just a few more of the surreal things this movie offers.
In perhaps the most unique mash-up of styles ever offered in Hollywood, “Scott Pilgrim” combines video game style nerdiness, including what looks like an 8-bit Universal Studios introduction, graphic novel imagery, including sounds noted with words on the screen, and a small band, big sound feel to the soundtrack.
The movie is immensely aesthetically pleasing, with bright, exciting colors and action throughout the film, and a soundtrack that is pretty amazing.
Fans of the graphic novels may be disappointed at some of the changes from the novels, but the style of humor, characters and story from the novels are still very much present, even with the differences.
People shying away from the film because of Michael Cera will be pleasantly surprised to find him in his best form in this film. Not only does he play his typical shy awkward young adult role, but he also has some rather spectacular and surprising fight scenes. For those that really, really dislike Cera, you can take solace in the fact that he takes a few hits, too.
With random pop culture and retro video game references throughout the entire film, veiled jabs at the “hipster” culture and scenes that flow into one another rapidly and surprisingly, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a film that will keep you excited and laughing the entire 112 minutes.
The casting of Kieran Culkin as Wallace is one of the most delightfully appropriate and amazing casting choices of the film, and the rest of the cast interacts beautifully to keep this film one of the best films of 2010.
If you love to laugh, go watch “Scott Pilgrim.” If you love music, go watch “Scott Pilgrim.” If you love bright colors and upbeat storytelling with unique characters, go watch “Scott Pilgrim.” In short, if you actually like being entertained and not living your life out as a very dull patch of boredom lying under a rock made of sadness and melancholy, go watch “Scott Pilgrim.” It’s well worth your while.
4 out of 4 stars
