Unexpectedly good and inexplicably funny

Rating: 7/10 (29 July 2015)

All i knew about this film prior to watching it is that he has Michael Cera doing the main role. It may mean nothing to some, but those who had seen movies starring Cera before might get a clue or two. And i don't mean it strictly in a good way.
Actually, since i first saw Michael in Superbad, he had one stable trait about his characters... they are all the same. Literally. He's always this kinda shy and awkward, nerdy but at the same time sorta streetwise type of guy of undefinable age, the one you wouldn't hate straight away but who you still wouldn't envy even if he got the hottest babe in the show. And if we add his constant grimace of a puppy who just sh@t himself a moment ago and is all sorry about that, i would expect his puppy charms to wear off rather quickly and the frustration to take over.
But at the same time, no matter how single-dimensional Michael's characters are, this "i'm shy and gentle" trick almost never fails to work. It definitely worked in Superbad, where Michael Cera and Jonah Hill duet played some Kyle&Eric sort of magic which, with help of other characters like legendary McLovin, made the film equally fun, deep and touching. In Juno, it was Ellen Page's turn to fill Cartman's place, which she did brilliantly, which also added to the film's overall success.
Here, in Scott Pilgrim vs the World, there's no single teammate whom Michael Cera's character of a guy with a complicated approach to relationships could play along. Instead, there's a whole bunch of friends, foes and love interests who swirl around him in a sick (in a good way) mix of garage rock, 8-bit games and comic book extravaganza. Which means, this time Michael has to prove that he can be a single locomotive for the big show.
The first 15 minutes of the film weren't too reassuring on this account. They are without a doubt visually creative, and this is probably the first time after Sin City that style does not only overcome substance but becomes a source of it. Yet, the character of Scott Pilgrim itself is what looks like a main drawback. I mean, our guy is still cute and naive, but there's something missing, some driving force that could turn that series of awkward and silly moments into something substantial.
And then the miracle happens. Once we finally get to know Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character of a femme who's literally fatale, the story gets a major kick up the butt, and apparently Scott's personality too, because he starts demonstrating will, determination and skills we never got to expect from Michael Cera's fragile and semi-vegetative characters. Can't say this transformation looks very natural, but naturality is the last thing one should expect from a movie that looks more a comic book than a typical cinema.
Maybe this visual surrealism is the main defining point of Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Because what might otherwise be somewhat bland and boring transforms into a unique sort of fun, something i never had a chance to experience since Kick-Ass and The Green Hornet, which was years ago for me. The action scenes are equally intense and bizarre, which makes them all the more unpredictable and satisfying.
Yet there's more to this film than just the action, visuals and the raw energetics of the whole performance. There's this trademark Canadian approach to life that this movie teems with: from the little comedic episodes, sketches and phrases to the characters to the whole entourage. Not as self-absorbed as the typical American everything, more willing to have a joke on itself, maybe even insecure in some ways, but still with enough soul to incur rather sympathy than abasement. As if the film plays its strengths and weaknesses open but relies on your good will to expect forgiveness rather than judgement.
This is the main message this movie sends us by its ending. That whoever we are and whatever we've done, the most important thing is to be able to accept ourselves and those who surround you. Not that big of a philosophical breakthrough, but still satisfying enough to leave a generally pleasant aftertaste. The same could be said about the movie as a whole. Very solid, with both the unique sides and the touching moments. Maybe not breaking enough rules nor touching enough sore spots to really stand out as a film to be remembered across generations. But aiming for that would be too pompous and pretentious, which isn't how they do things in Canada. After all, there's nothing wrong with just good ol' entertainment.