A non-superhero-comic-book movie that is really good

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2011)

Scott Pilgrim has a fun storyline buttressed by great characterizations and invigorating special effects that don't seem at all gimmicky or tacked on. Styled almost exactly like the graphic novel on which it's based, it permits the viewer to suspend disbelief with some degree of plausible deniability; that is, we're not asked to believe the impossible or even highly improbable, like using two sports cars to rip the door off a safe.
Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a bass player in a garage band. Scott's 22 and is now dating a 17-year-old high school student named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). That may seem unorthodox at first, but bear in mind that Michael Cera looks like he's 16 anyway, so it's not as stark a contrast as it may seem. Anyway, Knives thinks Scott's awesome, and he just sort of tolerates her. They haven't even kissed.
But then one night at a party, Scott sees Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a purple-coiffed drifter with a blasé attitude that belies something... well, something dark and mysterious, if nothing else. And Scott does everything he can to find out more about Ramona, much to the chagrin of his bandmates, his gay roommate (Kieran Culkin), and his sister (Anna Kendrick).
Okay, cutting to the chase. Turns out that although the worldly Ramona does sorta-kinda like Scott, she has issues. Like evil exes. And so the crux of the story comes about - Scott must defeat her seven evil exes. How? Well, with kung fu, karate, judo, other fighting styles, and various weapons. Why? Well, to win her heart, of course! Oh, did you want more details than that? Let's just say that Scott Pilgrim is essentially a video game based on a graphic novel. There are levels (each ex representing one level); beat the level/ex, you move on to the next one, and so on. Each ex has special powers; so do you, just like in a video game. And when you beat them, they don't lay there all bloody and whatnot; they turn into gold coins. Just like in real life! One of the truly entertaining aspects of the movie is how director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) integrates this video-game mentality into the plot line seamlessly. Characters don't act astounded that someone can shoot fire from their hands or fly through the air or cause demons to emerge from a DJ board. It's expected. And Scott Pilgrim himself isn't amazed that he can kick butt with his... well, with his feet. Which is how you kick things. So add in the video-game effects and then a splash of Batman (1966) sound effects, complete with the onomatopoeic words appearing above the action. Lovely visual touch.
The movie is witty, too. It's not just a series of wacky adventures peppered with impossible effects. Pilgrim is no hero - he's cheating on two women! - but is just likable enough to be a real protagonist. He's more a victim of his own desires. He tries his best to be everything to everyone, which isn't a role that Michael Cera is unfamiliar with. I mean, he looks wimpy but engaging, sort of like a beagle. He gets to fight some excellent exes, too, like Chris Evans as a hubristic actor (complete with stunt doubles!) and Jason Schwartzman as the Machiavellian proto-jerk villain.
Scott Pilgrim is a solidly different film. It's part action, part comedy, big part whimsy. It's daring and unconventional, and from a purely visual standpoint is really remarkably made. It's exciting and entertaining.