When I first heard about Scott Pilgrim vs. the World I got pretty excited, solely for the fact that it was being directed by Edgar Wright, the same man who both directed and wrote Hot Fuzz (2007) and Shaun of the Dead (2004), two movies that are easily in my Top 25, if not Top 10 favorite movies. However, as time progressed, I got less and less interested to see it for one reason in particular: Michael Cera. Now, I know a lot of people like him and I have to admit, I used to as well. I thought his awkward teen persona was excellent in Arrested Development and I thought he did a pretty good job in Super Bad (2007) and Juno (2007). However, since then, Cera has released at least two movies a year, each of which puts him in the role of the awkward teen: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008), Extreme Movie (2008), Year One (2009), Paper Heart (2009), and Youth in Revolt (2009). For me and many other people I know, Cera's awkwardness has begun to take a toll and I wasn't necessarily looking forward to seeing Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. However, because of Wright's immense success in my personal opinion, this outweighed my disdain for Michael Cera.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World puts Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, a twenty-two year old man-boy who lives in Toronto, Canada and plays bass for a band called Sex Bob-omb. The supporting cast for Cera is excellent with stand out characters such as Kieran Culkin who plays Pilgrim's gay room mate, Wallace, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead who plays Pilgrim's edgy crush, Ramona, each of which are sure to be audience favorites. However, with Ramona comes some baggage, seven evil exes to be specific. In order to date Ramona, Scott Pilgrim must defeat all seven of her exes, each of which has a back story that adds to the movie. Each ex is well cast as well and brings something else to the table, whether it be the first ex, Matthew Patel, who dresses like a pirate, or Roxy Richter, a self-conscious half-ninja who was part of a "phase" Ramona had.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World starts off a little slow, but once the exes start to come at Scott Pilgrim, the movie gets infinitely better. The cinematography is great, as is common with much of Wright's work, but what is even more impressive is the artistic direction. Throughout the movie is a constant video game/comic book sort of theme, which is not only well executed, but doesn't begin to overwhelm the viewer. When calm scenes such as dialogue are taking pace, its at a minimum; when the fight scenes begin, however, it comes into full effect with bright colors, lightning bolts, giant monsters, and points flashing across the screen for every kill. Video game references are also strung throughout the movie, such as the Zelda theme song playing at times, Scott Pilgrim learning the bass line to Final Fantasy II, and Scott Pilgrim's best pick-up line concerning Pac Man. Other pop culture references are played into the movie well such as one scene including Pilgrim and his room mate Wallace in their underground apartment. The scene begins with the Seinfield theme and throughout their dialogue a laugh track is played intermittently, making this one of the funniest scenes of the entire movie.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World successfully drives at what it's trying to accomplish. Anyone who is under twenty five is surely to at least appreciate the movie. Some of the action scenes and visual effects are awe inspiring and pull you into Scott Pilgrim's comic book style life only making you wish you could do some of the things in the movie. The plot on the surface is solid and straight forward, but at each and every turn you're still anticipating when the next ex will pop-up unexpectedly. Michael Cera is, unfortunately, the most disappointing part of the film, not because he doesn't do a good job, in fact, I don't think anyone could play the part better, but solely because the character of Michael Cera has been worn out. Had he not done any movies in 2009, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as a follow up to Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist would have been incredible. Cera's supporting cast and Wright's incredible cinematography coupled with an artistic directing style, however, really save the movie and make it a pleasure to see. After watching the movie, the seven evil exes, the bright lights, and flashing colors are sure to wash out Cera's bland, awkward teen type cast personality, and all you'll be able to think about are swords, 1-UPS, and giant apes.
No comments:
Post a Comment