Just can't get enough

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2010)

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a movie based on comic book series that takes place in a video game world. This world is the imaginary wonderland of Toronto, Canada. Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a 22 year old bassist for his garage band, Sex Bob-Omb. He's a simple minded and laid back kid without a whole lot on his mind. That is until he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). He immediately falls head over heels for her, as she is (figurativley and literally) the girl of his dreams. However, as soon as he starts dating her, he learns that this love comes with a price. In order to date her he must defeat her seven evil exes. And so the fun begins, treating the audience to an outrageous and hilarious ride.
From the get-go we learn that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is not a serious movie, yet its not a joke movie. The gags in this film are used so artistically and so creatively that every moment will have you smiling at the hysterical new reality created within this fantastic film. The director of this film is the British genius Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). The entire movie is ripe with Wright's trademarks and does not at all lack the blend stylistic and comedic brilliance seen in his other films, even with the absence of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has a very specific style to it, and even after almost two hours of it, it never gets old. The movie never loses focus on what it is and stays at the same level of quirk and charm the whole way through.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is based off of a comic series written by Bryan Lee O'Malley. I wasn't familiar with the comics at all, and there were points in the film where I thought it may have been funnier if I had read the comic, but overall it does a fantastic job of not alienating people like me. Instead of being a panel by panel adaptation of the comic, it creates its own style that anyone with a broad sense of humor should be able to enjoy. It is so rare that a comedy is released these days that brings something new to the table. Scott Pilgrim finally breaks this trend and delivers on all levels and absolutely amazes. It's also not often that I never want a film to end while watching it. Scott Pilgrim broke this trend as well. I was so transfixed and entertained by this stunning piece of satirical art that I couldn't get enough. There wasn't a single moment where I thought the film lagged or lost touch with me, and that level of consistency is something you don't see enough of today.
Scott Pilgrim is an excellent blend of everything you could want from film this day and age. Its fun and entertaining, while also being meaningful and captivating. It interweaves hilarious jokes, played up in all sorts of fashions ranging from sight gags to social commentary, into an actual story rich with character development and a plot that excites and entertains in its own way. The story is also a great blend of being action driven as well as character driven. There is quite a wide array of characters in this film. The cast is really an ensemble led with full force by Micael Cera. Each character has some odd and funny quirk to them, always leaving you wondering what they could do next. I know I'll be coming back to this film many more times, not only for the entertainment value, but also the great and relevant story it tells in the midst of hilarity and absurdity.
Visually fantastic, and all the while attention grabbing and imaginatively grand, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a must see for this summer.