While it delivers to fans of the graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World fails to help those new to the story enjoy it.

Rating: 5/10 (20 June 2014)

Please note that I am new at writing reviews, so if I was completely wrong on something just message me and I'll correct it for future ones. :)
I want to love "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World." When I saw the trailer back in 2010, I thought the concept was both hilarious and clever. The trailer was quite catchy as I remember, but due to school and no free time I procrastinated going to see it, and eventually forgot about it all together. Then, this summer, while I was making my IMDb account and creating a Senior Year Summer watchlist, the film came up in a list of suggestions. Remembering how awesome it had seemed four years ago, it flew to the top of my list. After watching the movie, however, I can say that I was rather disappointed. I will preface what I am about to say with this: I have never read the graphic novel series that the film originated from. I went into this like any film go-er would that just wanted to see it for what it was: a movie.
My first problem with Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World lies in its reliance on its source material. Now, before you send me that scathing PM, hear me out. I LOVE it when movies stick to the material they are based on. Time after time I have seen movies say, "Based on a true story," or "Based on the books by blah blah blah." Almost never is the movie that follows that claim anywhere near its actual origin. So, it is great to see Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World follow the graphic novels so closely. However, just because a certain plot or style makes sense in that form DOES NOT mean it will translate well for all audiences in movie form. Many of the scenes in this movie are done in exactly the same methods as the graphic novel, which results in some "oh, that's a book reference" moments. Again, this is great for fans of the novels, but just downright confusing for everyone else. And this is primarily where Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World fails for me. Its attempts to make the movie as close to the book as possible makes it really like watching the book, but with less of the details that give a book the ability to flow.
There are some positives to this movie, however. Kieran Culkin's performance was the best, in my opinion, followed by Michael Cera. I give them a lot of credit for the acting they did in this movie. Even as someone who hasn't read the books, I felt as if I was seeing exactly the characters they wanted me to see in their performances. Everyone else was rather hit or miss, but these two stood out as the best. There are also some funny jokes, no real knee slappers but some quirky humor that I kind of expected going in.
Overall, I know a 5/10 may seem like a harsh rating for this movie, but I think it is an accurate representation. 50% of you have probably read the graphic novels, and you will therefore enjoy it. 50% of you were like me, just seeing it because it looked cool, and it will be a confusing mess. My suggestion would be to read the series and then watch this movie. I know I will be giving the books a shot, and then returning to this movie again.