Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

‘You're pretentious, this club sucks, I have beef. Let's fight.’

A review of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Directed by Edgar Wright starring Micheal Cera.

For a film based on a graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim has a lot to live up to. For the general consensus, Scott Pilgrim will be put in a league with all the other comic book/graphic novel adaptations from the last few years. However, Scott Pilgrim delivers a KO right to the jaw of the likes of Iron Man 2, Spiderman 3 and Ang Lee’s adaptation of The Incredible Hulk.

This comedy/action film is based on the comic book series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley and directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead/ Hot Fuzz fame. We are thrown straight into the middle of Scott’s life from the outset of the film, much like the latter films mentioned. The audience meet Scott’s new high school girlfriend when his friends do, Knives Chau played beautifully naïve by Ellen Wong, as well as being introduced to Scott’s band Sex Bomb – omb. This sets the precedent for the fast paced dynamic of the film, accompanied by a pumping, bass filled soundtrack with songs written by Beck. Music is an important theme throughout the film, with three of the evil ex’s being defeated by Scott and his bass. Soon Scott meets the girl of his dreams (literally as she turns up in his dream on roller blades) in Ramona Flowers – all kooky and dry wit and breaks up with Knives who is devastated. From Sex Bomb – omb’s first round in a battle of the bands contest, Scott learns in order to be with Ramona he must defeat her ‘seven evil exes’ who have formed an allegiance. Beginning with Matthew Patel as a strange combination of pirate/bollywood star, we as the audience also learn it’s not going to be easy for Scott. He defeats Matthew and we get a small snippet into Ramona’s past life containing many a battle.

My personal favourite ‘evil ex’ is Lucas Lee played by Chris Evans of Not Another Teen Movie fame. Lucas is a cocky mixture of Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis, with a Christian Bale esque gravely tone. His team of stunt doubles attempt to do the most damage to Scott, however Lucas reaches his demise when demonstrating a dangerous skateboard stunt Scott tricked him into because, ‘There are a lot of chicks here’. The most telling part of Scott’s story is through the defeat of Ramona’s next ex. Todd Ingram is also a bassist and dates Scott’s ex-girlfriend Envy Adams, who cruelly dumped Scott when famed called for her. Her name is telling of a range of emotions Scott felt when she was discovered before his band and also the betrayal he felt through Envy and Todd’s relationship. However through the defeat of Todd, though not plain sailing, Scott realises he can finally put Envy in his past. The most telling part of Ramona’s story is through her next evil ex Roxy Richter, the battles are taking their toll, Scott causes their relationship to falter somewhat as he is unable to process her dating history.

For any fan of old school gaming this film will bring back a sense of nostalgia, so many of the graphics made me feel like a kid again playing my Sega Mega drive, especially in the final acts of the film. Scott harnesses the ‘Power of Love’ and the ‘Power of Self Worth’ – with the help of a huge sword provided by the 1 Up life he gained from defeating the Katayanagi twins, Ramona’s five and sixth evil ex’s during another round of the battle of the bands. Unfortunately for Scott, Ramona’s final evil ex is G Man-Graves, the sponsor of the battle, Sex Bomb-omb sign with him and Scott is forced to quit the band with the excellent Young Neil (played by Johnny Simmons) replacing him on bass. The final act of the film sees Scott alone and ready to win Ramona back whilst defeating Gideon ‘G Man’ Graves at his new super club Chaos Theatre – which isn’t really chaotic at all. A very video game ending follows with Scott able to resolve his issues throughout the film.

Michael Cera is ‘that guy’, the character he plays so well, geeky but loveable. In Scott Pilgrim however his edge of arrogance adds a new layer to his repertoire, mirroring his excellent turn in Youth In Revolt. The fact that Scott is somewhat a super hero only adds to Cera’s credence whilst he continues to help the geek chic revolution of smashing stereotypes (thank you Tobey Maguire).

Kayleigh x