Too imaginative, too funny

Rating: 9/10 (29 July 2010)

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is the bass player for the aspiring rock band Sex Bob-omb. He's not a lady killer but one day Scott meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Instead of a typical dating ritual, Scott is plagued with challenges by Ramona's seven evil exes. Despite his lackluster physique, Scott can go toe to toe with most of them in hand to hand combat. When that fails he turns to the powers of his noggin or guitar.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is the most video game-esquire movie I've ever seen. There are stats, one-ups, power-ups. Coins even appear when a foe is dispatched, suggesting that the audience/player continue the movie/game. These are all referential gags that build a fantasy atmosphere and make it difficult to question the feasibility of plot. Just about anything can happen, and when it did I was able to accept it.
There seems to be no bounds to the inspiration that can be drawn from underground geek subculture. Most of the film has effects that bring to life the popular formats of manga, anime, and video game staples, but out of nowhere sounds and laugh tracks are lifted from Seinfeld of all places. It's not for the sake of being silly, everything adds to the style and tone of this fantasy/romantic comedy. Each battle is unique. Some elements carryover (the outlandish style of hit anime series Dragon Ball and video game inspired points system) but Scott is always able to apply a new approach for success, resulting in the frail Pilgrim outsmarting some of his tougher foes. Sometimes he's able to turn their egos against them, but my favorite outcome came when he tricked psychic vegan Todd (Brandon Routh) resulting in the appearance of the fabled vegan police.
Michael Cera is famous for his typecasting as a soft-spoken slacker. Here he brings the usual to the table, trying to play the everyman while chaos erupts around him. But I suppose not every man is able to leap into the air to deliver a punch or survive being thrown into a castle. It's a far cry from the comedic action found in other works of director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead); trading blood for lens flare and superhuman durability, it's a friendly but intense PG-13.
The outlandishness doesn't end there. Every secondary character has a clearly defined role and personality. There are many and each is memorable. Among my favorites is Wallace (Kieran Culkin) who periodically states the obvious. He'll interrupt a fight to inform Scott that he's fighting someone. Drummer Kim (Alison Pill) is low in lines but with each her cynical delivery garners a laugh. Lastly, newcomer Ellen Wong brings a comedic, expressive sensibility to Knives Chau, Sex Bob-omb's biggest fan.
Its strength is a minor weakness. There isn't broad appeal to be found in the in-jokes and should you understand the point of reference you may find yourself laughing over another punch line—like a gamer, an audience member must be well coordinated.
I would not be surprised in the least if Scott Pilgrim vs. the World endures in popular conversation for years to come. It's a generational film that will be looked back upon with all the nostalgia of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is too imaginative to be farce, and too funny to be forgotten.