Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Oct 27, 2010
By Laurence Boyce

Director: Edgar Wright

If you’ve never heard the terms ‘boss fight’, ‘extra life’ and ‘power up’ then Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World may just confuse you.  Taking its cues from the world of video games, the film is a hyper energetic, ultra playful and often insane take on young love, difficult relationships and the fact that your ex-lovers can often return in the form of super powered villains. So much like real life, eh?

Young Scott Pilgrim does what every other twenty something around the world seems to do: he plays in a band, sings energetic songs about love and life whilst trying – and mostly failing - to understand women. Dating a high schooler – much to the delight of his friends who tease him mercilessly – Scott soon meets the mysterious Ramona who he promptly falls for. Ending one relationship to begin another he discovers the path to true love isn’t smooth as Ramona’s past comes back to haunt him, in an extremely painful way. Scott has to become a superhero to battle Ramona’s past loves and save the day.

The entire film works on just how much you are willing to accept its premise: if you’re fine with people developing amazing powers, characters talking directly to the camera and almost every other trick in the cinematic book, then you’ll do fine. Director Edgar Wright – beloved by many, thanks to such films as Shaun of the Dead – knows his audience of comic book fans (indeed, the film is based on a comic book) and video game lovers well and caters to their every need. The constant action and loud colors start to become a little overwhelming at times, but there’s a charm and infectious enthusiasm here that cannot be denied. Michael Cera shines in the lead role bringing some understated nerdism whilst Kieran Culkin is something of a revelation in support as Scott’s ultra-sarcastic roommate.

Whilst it’s not for everyone, those who delight in comics and computers will find a lot to enjoy. Those who don’t, probably stopped reading after I mentioned the term ‘power up’ anyway. 

Now showing in all three countries.

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