Appreciation depended on Cerra

Rating: 7/10 (1 January 2011)

This was the year that we saw several little known comics made into films. Kick-Ass was the first out of the gate and in my opinion, the best. We were then given this film, Scott Pilgrim, directed by Edgar Wright. The biggest difference between the two films is your enjoyment of Scott Pilgrim is far more dependent on your tolerance/enjoyment of several elements.
Firstly, you must be a fan of Michael Cerra. With Scott Pilgrim he continues the same shtick that he has presented in pretty much all of his roles to date. I personally have grown tired of that shtick. He doesn't ruin the film for me, but my weariness of his seemingly limited range kept me from fully appreciating the film.
Second, you need to have a frame of reference when it comes to video games. The film, as is the comic, resides in the world of video game reference. I personally enjoyed the continual video game style of story presentation, however this is not going to be something the general movie audience will appreciate.
Third, you need to be a fan of Edgar Wright's direction and story telling skills. Personally, I love Wright's direction and story telling skills. Were this film directed by anyone else, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. Wright's quick cuts that he is known for do overstay their welcome as the film is done almost entirely through quick cuts and that can be jarring.
My biggest issue with the film is Cerra. He is still playing the same character that he has played in previous films. Why that is a problem here is that compared to Ramona's previous ex-boyfriends, you have to scratch your head as to what there is about Cerra's Pilgrim that would attract her to him. This believability is a very high hurdle to get past, especially if you are not a Cerra fan. I don't hate the guy, I just think this film would have been better served with a lead who actually looked the part. What hurts the casting of Cerra in the lead role is he pales in comparison to Ramona's, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, ex-boyfriends. The boyfriends, played by Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, etc, look like they would be someone Ramona would go after. Cerra's Pilgrim has nothing in comparison to offer. Ultimately, I found myself not pulling for Cerra and Winstead to get together, rather, for Cerra and his dumped girlfriend, Knives Chau played by Ellen Wong, to stay together. This is a major issue with the story as we are supposed to be pulling for Scott and Ramona to be together.
All of the supporting characters are wonderfully brought to life. It is the supporting characters, action and Edgar Wrights direction that ultimately pull this up to a 7 for me. It is Cerra's casting that reduces this film's rating. Again, I don't want to come off as a Cerra hater, I just think his continued reliance on the same mannerisms, voice inflection and his overall physical inadequacies, make his Scott Pilgrim not reflective of the Pilgrim from the comic. Or for that matter, a hero lead that is believable.