Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2010)

You know when you go into a film with high expectations, and come out with those expectations passed more than you could ever imagine? Maybe you do, but it's quite possible that you don't. After all, this isn't exactly something that happens often, for anyone. This is especially true when it comes to a film adaption of something you're already a big fan of. These are generally, big, huge, massive, and whatever other synonyms there are for big disappointments for everyone. I didn't expect that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the adaption of Bryan Lee O'Malley's popular graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim would be the same; in fact after what I had heard, I was almost certain it was going to be a great film. Maybe not as great as its source material, but I was pretty sure it wasn't going to suck. However, it did more than not suck. It pretty much blew me away.
I watched it with a group of friends, and although only one of these friends was another fan of the comics, the atmosphere of the room as fictional band Sex Bob-omb begin to play and the opening credits began was a great one. Somehow, we all already knew we were in for a great ride. One friend commented "even this is entertaining" as the credits played in front of strange and colourful effects, and he was right. We were introduced to Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, and although I was always sceptical of this choice in casting, it wasn't long before I was happy with it. He didn't remind me of the Scott I knew from the comics, and this didn't change as the film continued; however, the Scott that he portrayed was quick to grow on me. It's most likely due to the fact that I already knew of Cera before watching his portrayal of Pilgrim that I saw him the way that I did, but this way that I saw him didn't take anything away from the film. The 'Michael Cera Scott' was funny, endearing, immature - everything that made the original character, he was just a different version of this character. Soon enough this version was making me laugh just as much as the original, and just like with the comics, I actually cared about the fate of this immature, 22 year old Canadian slacker.
Cera was not the only one who gave a good performance here, not by a long shot. All of the funny and likable characters from the comics that were represented were represented well, definitely important in a story far more character than story-driven. Mary Elizabeth Winstead deserves huge props for her performance as Ramona Flowers. Although Ramona was never one of my favourite characters, not only did Winstead almost seem to look just like the original character (not sure how this works with such a cartoony source material, but it does), but this combined with her performance made me feel like I was watching the character I'd come to know in the comics. It was uncanny. Everyone else gave entertaining and funny performances that really brought a smile to my face. In summary: the cast rocked.
What else rocked? The special effects rocked. The fight scenes were exciting, funny (video game and comic references errywhere), and packed with original effects. If they wanted everyone watching to stop caring that none of what was going on on-screen made sense, then they sure did a good job of this with both fun and mesmerising action scenes. Having listened to the soundtrack before seeing the film, I was wondering how they'd incorporate all those songs well, but I didn't really have to worry about that either. They did.
I'm not sure if this would have been more or less fun for someone who didn't already know and love the comics, but as a fan, I can safely say the film-makers basically did a perfect job of incorporating both elements from the source material and new material to create a funny and consistently enjoyable experience. The quick cuts where Scott is getting ready to go out and fight the enemy, ending with the tying of his shoelaces, is simply one example of a hilarious element unique to the film, showing the film-maker's abilities to make the most of the film medium. They certainly stay true to the comics, but at the same time the jokes and events unique to the film only add to the experience.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World may not have the superb plot twists of some of my other favourite films such as Fight Club and The Prestige; it may not have the emotional impact of others like American History X and Atonement, however it doesn't have to have these elements. It is like no other film you will ever see, and it's exactly the way it should be, just the way it is. It is for these reasons and all of those listed above that it has become an instant favourite, and one of not many films that I would give a wholehearted 10/10 rating to. If you don't make it a priority to check this out, I personally promise to punch your life. In the face.