Review: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World DVD

BY JEREMY HAAS

On November 9th, a game-changing movie was released onto DVD.  Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a movie based on the six book graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley.  Starring Michael Cera and directed by Edgar Wright, this film succeeds in tying action, comedy, and romance together in a musical package.

The movie’s theatrical debut was on August 13th 2010; however, it fell short at the box office, contrary to expectations and quality of the film, but those that missed it the first time now have a second chance with the DVD release.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World centers on the life of a 23-year old slacker named Scott Pilgrim and his search for love and meaning in life.  He is the bassist in a band called “Sex Bob-Omb” with his two best friends. His life is pretty mundane until he meets the mysterious Ramona Flowers, who causes his “precious little life” to be turned upside down by confusion and personal struggles.

Let me start off by saying that the premise of this movie can be taken by some as childish or immature, but I certainly don’t think feel that way. The makers of “Scott Pilgrim” took a simplistic concept and created something amazing.

Almost every role was cast perfectly for the character and how they were drawn in the graphic novels, this is especially the case with Pilgrim’s gay roommate/best friend Wallace Wells (played by Kieran Culkin).  Other stand out roles are Mark Webber as the lead singer/talent of Sex Bob-omb, Stephen Stills, and of course Michael Cera, who pulls off the character of Scott Pilgrim almost flawlessly. Cera has been criticized in the past as not having much acting range, normally playing the same basic, meek, geeky, worrywart character in his major roles. The feeling was that he could not pull off happy-go-lucky Scott Pilgrim. However, this is not the case at all.  Michael Cera proved himself more than capable in the film.

The visual effects Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World are stunning. They believably translate the visual language of video games to an audience who grew up playing them. The many fights throughout the movie are mostly what show off these effects and they work equally well as comedy or action.

The movie did have its downfalls; it was disappointing to see the film incorporate almost none of the final graphic novel ‘Finest Hour” into the movie.  Also, the actress who played Kim Pine (Allison Pill) didn’t do a good job.  Her performance just didn’t work for the character.

At times, the movie can seem overdone or redundant, but that all depends on how you look at it.  If someone watched this movie void of the energy and expectations of the video games it was inspired by, then it will expected get old fast. However, if someone goes into the movie ready for it’s extremes, then they’ll get what they paid for. All in all, this movie isn’t for everyone, but for the people predisposed to liking it (comic and video game fans), Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is nothing short of a masterpiece.