Scott Pilgrim is Boss
I grew up with video games. From my first Pong set that allowed me to put some “wicked” spin on that little blip; I progressed to the various Atari systems. Then, after the Atari system I moved up to by new Sega Genesis and the Nintendo. From there it was on to Super Nintendo, Playstation, Playstation 2 and now the Wii and Playstation 3. My basement has a wide variety of formerly “hot” systems and games and I still enjoy everything from MLB ’10 The Show to Tiger Woods Golf on the PS3. Since you know that I like my video games, of course that may skew my opinion on this film, but I digress.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a guy that may be a bit of an outcast. He lives with his roommate Wallace (Kiernan Culkin) who seems plugged in to everything in Scott’s life. When Scott starts dating a girl, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) who is only 17 and in high school; Wallace is the first to let everyone know. And Wallace is always there to give advice.
But Scott is dating Knives before he meets the new girl, the one who doesn’t know anything about him. Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is mysterious, cute, and has caught Scott’s eye. To his surprise, she is willing to go and see the town with him and later even date him. But there is, of course, a catch. He must defeat her seven evil exes.
Scott is game, Ramona is his new girl but he hasn’t told Knives she isn’t. So we have a dilemma of multiple, epic proportions for Scott. He is avoiding the breakup with Knives, and preparing to battle the exes. Did I mention, when the battles take place, they are reminiscent of every video game fight you have ever seen? And the quarters will be a flying!
So Scott Pilgrim is a hip and ultra cool film. So if you’ve never played video games, you probably won’t have nearly as much fun as those of us who’ve rocked the controllers in the past. So you may feel a bit old at times when you are enjoying the film. I don’t care, I loved it.
Cera’s deadpan works and he is able to go through the battles with a certain naiveté that accentuates every confrontation. His relationship with Winstead is not only believable but actually sweet. Did I mention the fact that I really liked Culkin as the gay roommate that had advice for everything? Well I did now.
What really worked for me was the pacing and integrating of a soundtrack that set the tone for this relationship film. I found things unique and fun throughout. From the pop up additions to the wry smiles, director Edgar Wright has a film that appeals to the kid in everyone.
This one won’t appeal to everyone, and some may actually really not like it. But I found this to be boss. Beating the boss at the end of a level has never felt so right. And it doesn’t hurt that you are fighting for Mary Elizabeth Winstead! What’s next, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe? Or Scott Pilgrim ’11? In the video game world as in movies, anything is possible.
B +
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Universal Pictures
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick
Rating: PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.
Runtime: 112 minutes.
I grew up with video games. From my first Pong set that allowed me to put some “wicked” spin on that little blip; I progressed to the various Atari systems. Then, after the Atari system I moved up to by new Sega Genesis and the Nintendo. From there it was on to Super Nintendo, Playstation, Playstation 2 and now the Wii and Playstation 3. My basement has a wide variety of formerly “hot” systems and games and I still enjoy everything from MLB ’10 The Show to Tiger Woods Golf on the PS3. Since you know that I like my video games, of course that may skew my opinion on this film, but I digress.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a guy that may be a bit of an outcast. He lives with his roommate Wallace (Kiernan Culkin) who seems plugged in to everything in Scott’s life. When Scott starts dating a girl, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) who is only 17 and in high school; Wallace is the first to let everyone know. And Wallace is always there to give advice.
But Scott is dating Knives before he meets the new girl, the one who doesn’t know anything about him. Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is mysterious, cute, and has caught Scott’s eye. To his surprise, she is willing to go and see the town with him and later even date him. But there is, of course, a catch. He must defeat her seven evil exes.
Scott is game, Ramona is his new girl but he hasn’t told Knives she isn’t. So we have a dilemma of multiple, epic proportions for Scott. He is avoiding the breakup with Knives, and preparing to battle the exes. Did I mention, when the battles take place, they are reminiscent of every video game fight you have ever seen? And the quarters will be a flying!
So Scott Pilgrim is a hip and ultra cool film. So if you’ve never played video games, you probably won’t have nearly as much fun as those of us who’ve rocked the controllers in the past. So you may feel a bit old at times when you are enjoying the film. I don’t care, I loved it.
Cera’s deadpan works and he is able to go through the battles with a certain naiveté that accentuates every confrontation. His relationship with Winstead is not only believable but actually sweet. Did I mention the fact that I really liked Culkin as the gay roommate that had advice for everything? Well I did now.
What really worked for me was the pacing and integrating of a soundtrack that set the tone for this relationship film. I found things unique and fun throughout. From the pop up additions to the wry smiles, director Edgar Wright has a film that appeals to the kid in everyone.
This one won’t appeal to everyone, and some may actually really not like it. But I found this to be boss. Beating the boss at the end of a level has never felt so right. And it doesn’t hurt that you are fighting for Mary Elizabeth Winstead! What’s next, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe? Or Scott Pilgrim ’11? In the video game world as in movies, anything is possible.
B +
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Universal Pictures
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick
Rating: PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.
Runtime: 112 minutes.
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