Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this weekend from director Edgar Wright and Universal Pictures is a world all in his mind with “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”

This film tells the story of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) a twenty-two year old member of a band called Sex Bob-Omb with Kim Pine (Allison Pill), Young Neil (Johnny Simmons) and Mark (Stephen Stills).

Currently Scott is dating a 17 year-old high schooler named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). Of course this means putting up with his roommates Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin) taunting as well as verbal abuse from his sister Stacey (Anna Kendrick).

And just as his life couldn’t get any more complicated, Scott sees Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). As he begins to fall head over heels leaving Knives behind, Scott soon discovers Ramona’s past is about to kick his ass…repeatedly.

One by one Scott must battle Ramona’s “League of Evil Ex’s” created by Gideon (the head evil ex disguised as Jason Schwartzman). Starting with Matthew (Satya Bhabha), to Lucas Lee (Chris Evans), Todd Ingram (Brandon Roth), Roxy Richter (Mae Whitman) to the twins Kyle and Ken Katayanagi (Keita and Shota Saito).

It’s up to Scott Pilgrim to become a warrior, collect the coinage and win the girl.

FINAL WORD: Once again I sit through a film with the Cera who plays the same character or is it he plays his character the same as he always does. With no real expression and the pity non-verbal statement of “I’m a virgin for good reason” I can’t find anything redeeming about his character – except that perhaps he constantly gets his ass kicked which in itself gives me happy points. Although this might have been entertaining in the film “Juno” he is forever cast in this light.

That being said it is in the other characters that this movie wins. Kendrick as his smart-ass sister is awesome, Schwartzman as lead Evil Ex Gideon is smartly done, Pill as Kim is right on the money. Evans is funny as actor Lucas Lee with those busy eyebrows and even the Katayanagi twins rocked.

Another slight downer is the annoying Knives played by Wong but not nearly as annoying as Cera. From the beginning I can see how they are drawn to each other and perhaps they can go off into the Pac Man sunset with each other and never be heard from again -  just sayin!

“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” is based on a graphic novel by Canadian cartoonist Bryan Lee O’Malley. There are actually six Scott Pilgrim books having been written between 2004 and 2010.

The winner here clearly is Culkin. His role might not be big and his lines few but when he does speak its biting and funny. Here is a Culkin with comedic timing and a face that just says everything without saying a word.

Other cast members include: Aubrey Plaza as Julie Powers, Nelson Franklin as Comeau, Kristina Pesic as Sandra, Ingrid Haas as Monique, Ben Lewis as Other Scott, and uncredited appearances by Thomas Jane and Clifton Collins, Jr. so look for them in their awesome moment!

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This film has a following as I saw standing in line at 9:00 the day before it was due to open. The film has a lot of video game references and 1980’s material so keep that in mind.

It was fun, different, creative and not what audiences might be expecting which, in the case of movies lately, might be a good thing and a huge draw.

In the end we all have baggage, Scott tries to kill him!