Tag Archives: “Edgar Wright”

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Quality movies based on comics, graphic novels and video games are cashing in right now, and Scott Pilgrim is possibly at the top of that list. Brought to us by the same man who gave us Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, (where is Simon Pegg?), Edgar Wright brings his latest often low key, otherwise pinpoint accurate comic genius to Scott Pilgrim vs The World.

Scott Pilgrim is a 22yr old Canadian bassist who plays video games, rocks with his band, deals with his gay roommate Wallace (Kieran Culkin), who can text in his sleep, telling his sister Stacey (Anna Kendrick) absolutely EVERYTHING, and is in love with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the new girl in town and the girl of his dreams. As we know, Scott must defeat her 7 Evil Ex’s, specifically defined as NOT 7 Evil Ex Boyfriends (this was given away in the trailer). Each ex is more powerful than the last and has a unique power. Who knew that being a Vegan could give you special abilities, like punching the highlights out of someones hair?!?

Having come from a somewhat geeky background, Scott Pilgrim strikes home. From the opening Universal logo in 8-bit, to the closing scene, I was enamored with this film. The sound effects are splashed in text across the scene, we get on screen hit point meters and character synopsis, plus Catholic School Girl uniforms! The setting appears to be a mix of the early 90’s and today. Meshing two worlds with a prolific use of pay phones and cell phones into a cohesive duality that works with the music, characters, and social/movie references.

The surrounding world is completely forgiving of everything that pops up, literally. No one is surprised nor questions Scott’s new found skills or the League of Evil Ex’s that surrounds Ramona. The first Ex, Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha), arrives while Scott’s band, Sex Bomb-omb, is onstage. He sent an email detailing his intentions to do battle, and breaks out in a Bollywood style song complete with sexy ghost-like Demons. Scott only skimmed the email, and wonders what to do. Wallace yells the sage advice of, “FIGHT!!!”

Not only are we treated to a visual romp through a fantasy land that I wish I were a part of (come on, you want super powers too!), there is plenty of wisdom, smart dialogue, and useful dating and life lessons embedded within. With Scott being such a young man, he has a lot going on in his life. Juggling an ex in the band, Kim (Alison Pill), a current girlfriend groupie soon to be ex, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), an unstable ex and lead singer of a popular band, Envy (Brie Larson), and the woman he believes he is in love with, Scott ultimately heads on his journey into manhood.

This movies is absolute awesomenessness. Yes, I typed that correctly. Wright makes no excuses for items that are unexplained, but I don’t care. If you are more interested in the fine details of how the Vegan police were called, or if Sex Bomb-omb was playing the proper chord, maybe this movie isn’t for you. But it is definitely for me.