Review: Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Rodney 17 Comments

Thanks for checking out our Scott Pilgrim vs The World Review

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Staring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Bradon Routh, Chris Evans
Released: August 13, 2010

THE GENERAL IDEA

Scott Pilgrim’s life is so awesome. He’s 23 years old, in a rock band, “between jobs,” and dating a cute high school girl. Everything’s fantastic until a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, roller blading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. But the path to Ms. Flowers isn’t covered in rose petals. Ramona’s seven evil exes stand between Scott and true happiness. Can Scott defeat all seven of the bad guys and get the girl without turning his precious little life upside-down, before the game is over?

THE GOOD

The rapidfire storytelling the film starts out with could keep Severe Attention Deficit Disorder sufferers in their seat with no discomfort. It all flies at you so fast but its done so well that its easy to keep up. Its VERY clever. There are a lot of funny parts in the movie, but honestly its just how subtle and smart the film is that gives it its charm.

And the visuals are amazing. The video game theme and over the top action are all spectacles to witness and all play out very well for its style. This movie keeps your eyes busy. The physical fight scenes are just insane. This movie might have ruined fight movies for me as I now realize that ANYONE can look like Chuck Norris if they are directed well. Cera kicks ass.

Michael Cera has been a sore spot for me lately. I just got tired of him being the same guy in everything. Well in this he is a hint of that same guy as Scott Pilgrim suffers a lot of insecurity, but he isn’t afraid to get into a fight and he is supposed to be a cool guy, and Cera manages to make that work.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is so hot in this film. And not just to look at. Her character is so likeable that you really get why Pilgrim fell for her. She really nails that down. But the supporting cast that brings this together all has to come down to Keiran Culkin. Dear God this man was funny as all hell in this. He plays Scott Pilgrim’s gay roomate and voice of reason. He adds so much to every scene he is in with witty oneliners and insightful advice.

THE BAD

Like sequel films, they all have to live up to the film before it, and this is one issue I had with Scott Pilgrim. The first fight with Patel is insane. Lots of fun and smart dialogue – great over the top action. And the followup fight with Chris Evans’ big skater star turned actor is even better. Then Routh’s Psi-Powered Vegan fight is funny but less action. And it ranks less and less exciting from there. Hard to live up to those awesome opening fights.

The rapidfire storytelling that I loved does slow down which in itself is a good thing. But it starts to lose that wow-factor that gave you perma-grin for the first half of the movie. But the shift in gears does take a while to ramp back up again and it makes the finale fight a little less epic. Still good, but feels a bit dragged out at the end.

OVERALL

I had quite a few laugh out loud moments and I wasn’t the only one in the theater laughing. This film isn’t just funny, its enjoyable. Its fun to experience and fun to watch. I had a great time watching this movie which says a lot.

I give Scott Pilgrim vs The World a 8.5 out of 10

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17 thoughts on “Review: Scott Pilgrim vs The World”

  3. I concur! Keiran Culkin sold this movie for me.

    Do you think the Edgar Wright is a good director for handling large casts, Rodney? I always thought that was one of his strong points as a writer/director. Scott Pilgrim’s cast was very well balanced.

  5. I saw both The Expendables and this. I gotta say, I loved Expendables more. I was excited to see this though because I love Wright as a director. I will admit that your review about the fights seemingly becoming less important is spot on though. By the time of the fight with the twins, I was kind of like in a “get on with it” mood already. Some parts, though I don’t typically complain about a film’s running time…if it’s necessary, I feel could’ve been trimmed a bit in this. It was still good though. Very entertaining, stylish, and original.

  6. I loved the movie for sure. And I definitely agree with you that it slowed down in the later fights/parts of the movie, and I ended up losing that good ol’ perma-grin. But still, I think it’s the most fun I’ve had at the movies this year.

  9. It looks stupid. Sorry to say. I’m getting tired of Michael Cera. Really can’t stand him. I’m going to miss this one. Won’t even rent it on Red Box. Also why would anyone care if an ex girlfriend is dating someone else. Let alone seven people care that the ex is dating someone else. I don’t get it. O well, guess I’ll never understand it cause I’ll never watch this movie.

    1. Every movie in the history of cinema can be made to sound stupid when you use that tone and negativity.

      The film actually clarifies exactly the things you seem to thing are stupid, but you will never know because you choose to go out of your way to express how little you care about this film.

      1. Yet you’ll respond to a post about it complaining how you will never see it because you don’t get the premise? Ok, bud. Go have fun watching Step Up-3D and Eat, Pray, Love, hehe.

  10. This film was absolutely phenomenal. Already seen it three times. Loved the comics and this was the most satisfying adaptation I’ve ever seen mixed with Edgar Wright’s personal charm and tweaks. It was just beautiful to watch and so fun to be a part of as an audience. LOVED IT.

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