QR Double Feature Part II: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a movie based on a comic book based on the aimless life of its 23 year-old protagonist based on classic video game sensibilities. That summation right there includes both "comic book" and "video game", so how I had not actually ever heard of Bryan O'Malley's Canadian epic until the first trailers for the movie were unveiled is way beyond me, but that's beside the point. What Scott Pilgrim brings to the table are the kinds of wild, polarizing elements that essentially make this a love it or hate it film. What side should you be on?

SO WHAT'S THIS MOVIE ABOUT?

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is the tale of one Toronto slacker and his quest to win the heart of the literal girl of his dreams. Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an aimless young adult dating a high schooler named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). He spends most of his time practicing with his band Sex Bob-Omb, and just looking for "something simple" in his life. However, when he sees Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) first in his subconscious and then again at a party, he instantly falls in love with her. Things get crazy when it turns out that Ramona's exes have banded together to kill Scott in some twisted revenge plot against the woman who wronged them. Now, this slacker must step-up and defeat the League of Evil Exes in order to date Ramona, and hopefully learn a little something about being a responsible adult at the same time.

SO WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

Where to even begin? I'll begin by saying this movie is directed by Edgar Wright, and he brings the whole of his visual genius to this film. The comedy comes fast and furious, the action is amazingly shot and choreographed, and there is rarely a point where the carefully crafted visage of this world Wright has created reveals any cracks or flaws. The cast here is also superb from top to bottom, from the small supporting roles to the evil exes to the main cast, everyone does a fantastic job with what they're given to do. It also doesn't hurt that the story that the film tells is great and multi-faceted. It's extremely easy to appreciate this movie as the zany action/comedy hybrid it is, but there are just so many layers with the film's various characters and the individual stories each tell throughout the course of the action. In other words, this film is much greater than the sum of its collective parts.

SO WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

As much as I can praise this movie, it does have a few faults. For one, the movie's beginning has a lot of exposition and set up, but is still cut in such a way as if action were still taking place. This can get a bit disorienting as the scenes quickly jump across the screen, and it never truly comes together until evil ex number one comes busting through the ceiling of The Rockit club where Sex Bob-Omb are playing. The very premise of the film itself leads to a bit of a downfall as well, as the movie can get both exhausting with its constant manic fight scenes and seven evil exes that need to be introduced and dispatched in the course of a 2 hour movie. This inevitably means some don't get their proper time to shine, but the fact that the villains are this interesting that you are begging to see more of them is actually a weird kind of positive... I suppose.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Chris Evans might not convince you he can be Captain America in his role as evil skateboarder turned actor, Lucas Lee, but he definitely kicks ass as one of the more memorable exes in the film. I also can't praise Brandon Routh's performance enough as Todd Ingram, the Super Vegan. Michael Cera also hopefully starts getting a lot more cred after this movie, because like most actors nowadays, apparently everybody hates him for no good reason.

Also, when a movie can pull off a unique and awesome game adaptation, that's always a plus for me, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is just plain awesome.

Lastly... where the hell did Mary Elizabeth Winstead come from? She's... she is... she is a nice lady.

SO WHAT'S THE FINAL VERDICT?

I absolutely love this film. The concept of it. The execution. The performances. The video game references. Overall, its a relatable film to anybody who is in or can remember those young and aimless days where every happening was the end of the world or the greatest thing ever. And hell, if none of that appeals to you, you can at least appreciate this quirky little gem for its ridiculous premise and fight scenes. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a rare thing indeed, a movie that not only fulfills its concept and the expectations attached, but adds new depth and goes beyond mere genre labels and stamps. Although nothing this summer will likely surpass Toy Story 3, Scott Pilgrim may turn out to be one of my favorite movies of all time.