The Scott Pilgrim Experience

Rating: 7/10 (21 January 2011)

Scott Pilgrim is a heavily stylised mesh of arcade and comic exuberance. It's bold and eye-catching graphics certainly give this film memorability, and helps transport the film into a playful and wistful world. However, for all its enjoyment it is the foreknowing of events which hamper the Scott Pilgrim experience.
In terms of enjoyment, Scott Pilgrim excels early on with its charming flare and originality. It is very youthful, refreshing and dynamic in the way it strings scenes together. As well as providing this visual experience there is a constant stream of witty interplay. This is most visibly conveyed by the wonderful Michael Cera who excels as Scott Pilgrim with his goofy and radiant charm offensive.
Where Scott Pilgrim fails is when we understand that he must fight 'Seven Evil Xs'. Once the first two contests have passed, it becomes a film of re-treading, and although it conjures different effects to each contest it becomes less of a thrill and its adolescent vibrancy becomes regrettably diluted.
Scott Pilgrim certainly entertains, and if it had managed to cut half-an-hour from the film or reduce the number of 'Evil Xs' it could have been a really enjoyable roller-coaster of a ride. It is a film which I recommend seeing as it is so originally brought to life and a rather refreshing movie experience. The film does have heart, and although Scott Pilgrim might not of won over the world, and it does lose its initial momentum, it did win me over.