Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Director: Edgar Wright; Writers: Edgar Wright, Michael Bacall
Universal Pictures
I should probably start off this review by saying that I have not read the Bryan Lee O'Malley comic books upon which Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is based. I've heard mixed things from those who have, with some readers saying they enjoyed the film more than the comics, and others frustrated at the casting and tone of the film. I, however, can only provide the impressions of someone who went into the theatre with no pre-existent expectations or fears - and I walked out at the end largely content.
Like the comics, the movie follows the 22 year old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), who plays bass in a struggling band and whose life seems to be void of real emotion and responsibility. Some critics (particularly those that have read the comics) have expressed displeasure (with maybe a splash of vitriol) at the casting of Cera in the title role, but I had no real problems with his performance or how he occupied the role. While Cera was merely fine for me, however, Mary Elizabeth Winstead was fantastic in the role of Pilgrim's new love interest, Ramona Flowers. Winstead plays the role with just the right blend of aloofness and pathos, making it completely understandable why her character provokes such passion from others. And that brings us to the plot of the movie: Cera becomes infatuated with Winstead, but in order to be with her must defeat her seven evil exes. Director Edgar Wright brings the perfect tone to match the rather ludicrous plot, filling the movie with self-referential humor, absurdity, and some insane Mortal Kombat-esque fight sequences. The fight sequences are fun at first, but begin to drag a little as the movie progresses - which mirrors Cera's attitude as he begins to realize that entering in to a real relationship isn't quite as fun as he imagined. The movie snatches some hilarious performances out of superhero actors Chris Evans and Brandon Routh as members of the League of Evil Exes, and Cera's friends and family are given equally funny moments to shine (Allison Pill, Anna Kendrick, Ellen Wong, and Kieran Culkin all deliver a good amount of laughs throughout). The movie does occasionally seem like it's not entirely sure where it wants to go, and the absurd and detached tone hampers it from reliably providing genuine emotion and character growth, but it seems clear to me that this was not designed to be a "deep" film. Unlike another film with Michael Cera, Juno, Edgar Wright revels in the pop culture-referencing gleeful randomness of the movie and doesn't really attempt to give it a serious, emotional core.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World delivered about two hours worth of pure entertainment - the script was witty and light, and Wright utilizes a directorial style and tone that makes it hard to not want to cheer as you watch, as corny as that may seem. While some may find it's lack of emotional realism off-putting, I think the movie was made much like the video games it references - intended to entertain. It's undeniably unique in terms of it's fantastical story-telling, but it's not the "cultural milestone" that some are trying to make it out to be. For me, it's simply a fun and escapist diversion that's near impossible not to enjoy.
Grade: B+
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