Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Brandon Routh, Anna Kendrick, Ellen Wong and Jason Schwartzman
Releasing in cinemas: 12 August 2010
Rated: MA 15+

If ever there was a genre tailor-made for film adaptations, it has to be comic books (or graphic novels, if you prefer). After all, they’re both about the same thing - telling stories through pictures. Comic book adaptations have given us at least four classic movies in the past decade - Ghost World, American Splendor, Spider-Man and The Dark Knight. To that you can probably add this year’s Kick-Ass; and now Scott Pilgrim vs The World.

This riotous, inventive and captivating story of boy-meets-girl-with-major-issues is one of the most interesting and exuberant exercises in filmmaking you’re likely to see for quite a while. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about it is how it remains so true to the source material while still embracing all the possibilities film has to offer. Director Edgar Wright pays continual homage to the graphic novels that form the basis of the story (even down to things like giving descriptions of the characters via comic-panel style inserts over the images); but also skilfully incorporates music, movement and imagery that’s only possible in the movie medium.

It’s also one of - if not the - most astute chronicles of popular culture seen in recent times. Referencing everything from King Kong to Seinfeld and a whole lot in between, Wright and his team have crafted a film that not only works as popular entertainment, but which I’m sure will be the subject of academic theses in years to come.

Our hero, in case you didn’t guess, is Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). He’s a young guy living in Toronto who plays in a band and apparently doesn’t have much luck with the ladies. At the start of the film, he’s dating a high school girl, Knives Chao (Ellen Wong). Knives is shy, mesmerised by Scott’s “cool” lifestyle and a bit clingy. Although things seem to be going OK, Scott’s world is turned upside down when he encounters the alluring Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). She’s recently arrived in town from New York City. Scott is smitten - although perhaps transfixed might be a better term. When the relationship warms up a bit, Scott finds that Ramona carries a little more baggage than your average girl. Essentially, she has seven exes; all of whom have undergone some form of demonic transformation. If Scott wants to date Ramona, he must defeat these seven evil exes. A tall order? It would seem so, although his experience playing video games may give him an edge.

Wright previously directed Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and while those films certainly scurried along, Scott Pilgrim vs The World makes them look like they were in slow motion. In keeping with the comic book theme, things jump rapidly from one situation to another in the blink of an eye. Added to that is the fact that its timeframes aren’t linear, and it also jumps from the “real” world to imagined or dream states. This means that the film does get a little difficult to follow at times. Put it this way, if you had trouble following Inception, you may find you’re out of your depth with this one.

There is, however, barely a dull moment. Wright makes bravura use of graphics, sound, music and technical trickery to weave a bewitching, if sometimes bewildering, tale. Some might argue that the final showdown goes on a bit too long, but I was barely aware of the film’s 112 minute running time slipping by.

From my discussions with fans of the comics after seeing the film, it seems that they pretty much agree that it’s true to the spirit, if not the exact details, of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s six-volume graphic novel series. I have however also heard that for some fans, the details are important and they dislike the film’s more broad-brush approach to the material.

The cast list is impressive, and the performances are top notch. Michael Cera once again wins over the audience as the rather dorky hero. Yes, I know this is basically the same character he played in Juno, but I for one aren’t sick of him yet. Perhaps its the self-deprecating manner he imbues into the characters that make them so appealing, but for me, his Scott Pilgrim is a winner. Mary Elizabeth Winstead appears to be breaking out of the ‘scream queen’ mould with a knockout performance as Ramona. Some of the best moments in the film come via the supporting cast, including Mark Webber (no, not the F1 driver), Allison Pill and Johnny Simmons as the other members of Scott’s band; and Kieran Culkin as his roommate. A highlight is the turn of Chris Evans, who sends himself up mercilessly as one of the evil exes.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World is one of those rare films that actually pushes the boundaries of filmmaking. There’s nothing safe or simple about this film; it’s a kaleidoscope of colour, action, humour, special effects and just darn good storytelling. For those reasons alone, this is a must-see.

P.S. The soundtrack is a killer, featuring the likes of Beck, Broken Social Scene, Frank Black and the Black Lips.

David Edwards