SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD [Review 2]

Since my initial MIFF screening and subsequent review [read my review here], I have re-watched the film and am happy to report that my opinion of this film and how great it is are unchanged, however at the same time, its flaws are still the same. 

The story of “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” is that Scott is a slacker who falls in love with Ramona Flowers (a girl who changes her hair colour weekly), but to prove his love for her, he must defeat her seven evil-exes.  Not just battle, but defeat.  All this is done in a comic book/video-game/anime-inspired mayhem that needs to be seen to be believed, with things like sound effects being spelt on-screen and then shattered with the next punch (Edgar Wright really is at the top of his game here). 

One of the biggest strengths of the film is the stand-out performance from Michael Cera (often known as a rich man’s Jesse Eisenberg) as the title character, which is easily his best role since “Arrested Development” ended (although his Francois Dillinger character from “Youth In Revolt” was also very impressive and equally hilarious). 

As mentioned in my previous review, other positives associated with the film were the casting, production design, special effects and surprisingly, the fight scenes.  However, again, director Edgar Wright is the true star of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”.  Being as cinema-literate as he is, he uses every filmmaking trick in the book, and actually makes it work to fit his singular vision.  Like all of Edgar Wright’s films though, he does tend to over-indulge on all the good stuff, which in my opinion makes the audience take it for granted.  It becomes too much of a good thing.  The film is also a little long and a bit repetitive, and reducing the number of evil exes may have helped this (I know that there are seven in the comic book, but sometimes what works on paper, doesn’t work as well on film). 

Overall, these are minor complaints, as this really could be the most fun you have in the cinema this year and it is safe to say that I lesbians this film.  It is certainly unlike anything else in cinemas these days, which may have resulted in its poor box-office.  That said, it has already picked up a huge following since its release on the home video formats, and I am sure this will turn out to be one of those classic cult films in the future that we all love to champion. 

As much as I love this film, I wouldn’t call it a five-star film.  It just falls short of that honour, but great as Edgar Wright’s talents are, I am sure that one day in the future he will make that five star film.  Strangely, I have a feeling that it might be a straight thriller (in the vein of those classic De Palma thrillers of the 80’s) where he would have to show a little restraint.  No matter what, I’ll always be excited for the new Edgar Wright film, which as of right now is “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”, and if you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favour, because you are really missing out on something special.

Ranked 9 in Top 25 of 2010