Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Full Review

Name: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Age: 2010
Rating: AWESOME

You want Japanese Anime adaptation done right? You want video-game adaptation done right? You want to see a teen romance/date comedy done in the most hyper action-packed and awesome way? Then press start on your controller and experience the epic of epic epicness that is "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World". Never before you have seen one guy actually fighting for the heart of one girl, blended in awesome visuals, clever sight gags and sounds, the hippest soundtrack and super-ultra-hyper fight/battle sequences that reaches over 9000 on its power level! Scott Pilgrim WINS the movies, getting a 2x combo in becoming both the BEST video-game adaptation movie and the BEST Japanese-Anime movie of all time... EVER!

Squeezed and packed faithfully from Bryan Lee
O'Malley's six volume comic-opus, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a bass player in a crappy band, in between jobs and currently dating a 17-year-old Asian high-schooler, Knives (Ellen Wong). That is until new girl Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) literally skates into his dreams and immediately Scott was hypnotized. After one hook-up with Ramona, things get real complicated when Scott realizes that he has to face off and defeat SEVEN of Ramona's evil exes one by one, led by final boss Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). It is a fact that relationships are hard and complex, just like video games.

Mr. Patel, you're trying to seduce me...

For me having read all six volumes of the comics, the filmmakers did a marvelous job in being relevant and retaining the same core messages and development it possess in the comics. The advantage that this film and the comics have is that their aspect on relationship and love is as nearly realistic and relatable to most young people and they can really identify themselves in the hero, Scott Pilgrim. Its kind of human of Scott that he makes the same mistakes most people do for his own selfish needs and comforts, especially after having his breakup from his last girlfriend, Envy Adams (played by a very sexy Brie Larson). And it takes his date with Ramona to actually mature and wise up to his attitudes and self-esteem, even to fight his own inner demons (which he actually does literally). I would say that the characters, especially Scott could have been developed a little more, but I wouldn't argue of how it ended with it.

After a long run of being a quiet, awkward, mumbling
dweeb, Michael Cera finally becomes a more animated and confident guy whilst dealing with his own issues and it is just refreshing to see him that. Not only that, but he was amazing as an action hero. And the day I see Michael Cera as a total badass, something wonderfully wonderful just happened. Winstead is great and HOOTTT as the girl of every geek's dream, Ramona Flowers and Wong is just so cute and hyper as Knives, with two of these girls have their own ass-kicking. Rest of the cast were also great with Kieran Culkin always hitting the joke button right as Scott's gay roommate, Wallace Wells and Alison Pills and Mark Webber are as supportive and deadpan as Scott's band members, Kim Pine and Stephan Stills respectively. Probably the people who looks like they are having the most fun are the 7 evil exes and when they are on, they are REALLY on. All acted devilishly and humorously maniacal and giving us something spectacular. Chris Evans (Captain America) was so different and cocky as Evil Ex #2, Lucas Lee and Brandon Routh (Superman) displayed his awesome "vegan" power and delivered awkward liners as Evil Ex #3, Todd Ingram. Even for the final boss, Schwartzman played so well as the kind of nerd we other nerds would love to hate, a pretentious, rich d*uchebag.

I can go for that MC Hammer joke, but I'm a little too old for that

The movie acts as a huge love letter to geekdom in giving off so many references to movies, music and video-games from clear visuals gags to hidden sound bites that can only be recognizable to geeks. And the fun thing about this film is that it acts like an actual video game, going from earning coins when you defeat an enemy, to health bars, to extra lifes, leveling up when you wise up, even the 7 exes acts as boss battles and all are done in a clever and fun way, which is something other video-game movies have fail to do. Uwe Boll, take lessons from Edgar Wright! For the casual audience, they won't matter if they catch all the sight and sound gags. But for hardcore nerds like us, it is such a real treat. Another thing I love is the soundtrack and theme of music that is used as a character, or even as a weapon. The soundtrack ranges from usually alternative rock bands with Beck, masquerading as the Sex Bob-Omb and even with the use of emo, country and techno, which were all a joy to listen to. AND DAMN, do I have to stress you guys about the fight scenes? The fight scenes are such a tribute to some of the Wu Sha/Kung Fu fighting movies and even of the hyper anime styles such as Dragonball and Street Fighter. Again, why can't the actual Dragonball and Street Fighter movies do something like this? Just wait till you get to the final battle where it is just... EPIC...

If a person who
has read the entire comics and ask how faithful it is to the comics, I would say it is fairly faithful and people will be nitpicky especially to some of the characters. You have to know that cramming all six volumes into one meaning alot will change. The outcome of the movie will be different from the comics, but the important thing is that it still retains the message and the journey Scott must go through. And in adapting from a 6-volume books to a 2-hour movie, all the changes they made makes sense and plays to good effects. Besides you'll still have -the comics and see how different it is to the movies. Some of the problems I'll say is that the ending is a bit rushed and the first 10-20 minutes will be getting used to. And like I said before, some of the characters or subplots weren't developed enough to what I wish for. Even some of the characters were popping in and out after a long time for an update, but these are just fair nitpicks and doesn't overshadowed my enjoyment.

Feel the power of my ARMPITS!

What I will expect is that people will get this film and some people won't. But even if you don't get it, you should still check it out as it is something original, something you have never-seen-before. Hell its freakin more original and visually-mesmerizing than Avatar (Yes, I'm still taking shots at Avatar. Bite me!) It is a guarantee action-packed fun time that also evaluates your own love life and personality. After making brilliant genre tributes like Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, Edgar Wright is the master of his own game. Now claim your prize, my man!

4 and a half out of 5 stars

EDGAR WRIGHT HAS EARNED THE POWER OF FILMS!