Rating:  

Marc Platt, Big Talk Films, Closed On Mondays Entertainment, Scott Pilgrim Productions, and Universal Pictures.

Written by: Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright, adapted from the series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley.

Easily the most inventive big studio film of 2010, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” is a crazed, over-the-top fantasy film with no care for convention. That it works and is as ridiculously entertaining as it is, forces a tip of the cap to director Edgar Wright and Wright’s adapted screenplay with Michael Bacall, as well as the game and willing cast who take some risks in making a film that could easily leave people scratching their heads and throwing up their hands. Of course you might do that anyway, but the odds are that you will be laughing and smiling when you do it.

“Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” is adapted from the multi-part graphic novel series that gained a huge cult following with readers and fell into great hands with Wright. Notable for directing two great spoofs on the zombie film (“Shaun of the Dead”) and the buddy-cop action film (“Hot Fuzz”), Edgar Wright just seems to get the feel, the tone, and the style that a film like this needs. When looking at the premise, this could not have been the easiest film to make.

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an unemployed 22-year old bass player for local rock band, Sex Bob-Omb, who has just entered into a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with the awesomely named 17-year old Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). Pilgrim dates girls out of boredom because he still longs for his former girlfriend, Envy (Brie Larson), now the singer of a mega-huge band, Clash At Demonhead. Insufferably insufferable, Scott sees in a dream, and then in reality, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a new girl in town who works as an Amazon.com delivery girl. Moving away from Knives comes easy to Scott and the chase is on to become Ramona’s boyfriend. When she becomes equally smitten, a random E-mail arrives in Scott’s inbox from someone named Patel. Disregarding its threats, Sex Bob-Omb play their next show and have it interrupted by a flying man who challenges Scott to a battle. He claims he is Ramona’s first evil ex and Scott must defeat him. Up for the challenge and crushing big on Ramona, Scott battles Patel, only to later learn that to date Ramona, he must defeat her seven evil exes.

Some of you have checked out by now and that’s fine. Some of you are intrigued and that’s fine too. I have seen thousands of films in my lifetime and I can safely say that “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” is unlike anything I have ever seen. If you haven’t figured out from the trailer, TV spots, or other reviews of the film, this is akin to a cinematic video game where Scott must vanquish villain after villain to win the heart of his Ramona. However, don’t mistake that description as reminding us of those wasted moments we have all had watching over someone’s shoulder while they play a video game we could care less about. There is so much more than just CGI-battle sequences and action/martial arts fighting in this film. Oh, so much more.

Set in Toronto, we not only get the aforementioned over-the-top crazy stuff, but we also get some unexpected character development. And although Michael Cera may only be able to play the Michael Cera we have seen thus far in every single film he stars in, he remains as likable as ever. He lives with his roommate, Wallace (Kieran Culkin), who is gay and is seeking love in much the same manner as Scott. Wallace is an almost check and balance for Scott, a little bit older, slightly wiser, and also there to push Scott along and mentor him into some kind of normalcy. Oscar-nominee Anna Kendrick darts in and out as Scott’s overbearing big sister, Stacey, and offers some laughs. Perhaps most surprisingly the movie is quite endearing and sweet, even as evil ex after evil ex arrives in the most inopportune moments.

Edgar Wright does a masterful job of making this accessible to non-gamers and those who would not dare read a graphic novel series. Spiking in word graphics (“r-i-i-i-i-ngggg” leaps on screen when the phone rings, for example) and infoboxes, which introduce all the main characters, you instantly get the sense that there may be more originality per minute here than most films could ever hope to attain. The film is legitimately funny, with charm in reserve and zips and cuts so quickly that for most of the film, you are never sure what is coming next.

When villains are defeated (is that a spoiler alert?), there is no blood or extreme violence. Instead, some exes disintegrate into thousands of coins and on occasion, Scott earns bonuses to take with him to the next level. We learn that no one ever really dies here because if need be, the “game” can be rewound to take a do-over. No one is really ever in danger, but you still want Scott to succeed. Then again, maybe I have some graphic novels to read now.

The reality is that if “Scott Pilgrim” was any good at all, this movie would secure its place as a cult favorite. With such great atmosphere, rhythm and pacing, and countless quotable moments, this film will probably be talked about for years. By the final “rounds”, this all may seem a little repetitive and at 112 minutes, I can nod to the argument that the film needs to be trimmed down a bit. Yet, look at the slate of movies to receive a wide theatrical release in the last couple of years and find me one film more unabashedly non-conformist and unique. I’ll wait.

Amusing at its worst and original and groundbreaking at its best, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” delivers from character to character, scene to scene, and level to level. Even the most skeptical will be surprised, and how many actual video games can claim that type of success.

Should I See It?

Fans of the graphic novel series simply cannot be disappointed by this, except perhaps what was left out in compressing six books into a nearly 2-hour film.

You seek something original, unique, and fun. You haven’t seen a film shot, edited, or presented in this way before.

Do not think that you have to know the source material beforehand. Even those most skeptical are going to find something to like, because as much as it is crazed and manic, it retains its charm and “aw, shucks!” sweetness.

Edgar Wright is now 3-for-3. Fans of “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead” are going to be quite pleased indeed.

If you let it, this film will work. Yet, this will just be too much for some people to accept and get into. It starts fast and if you don’t buy in at the beginning, you’re going to be disengaged.

Michael Cera may have played Michael Cera one too many times for you by now. Here, he is the same Michael Cera with fighting ability.

Some are going to think this whole thing is stupid.

Although bloodless and without real consequences to those in the fighting scenes, there is still a lot of fighting, brawling, and video game style violence. So, check this out first if your kids are not allowed to play games rated T for Teen, or really at all.