Review of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) by Antonio W — 21 Jul 2014

It's no doubt that when a comic book / graphic novel is being turned into a film adaptation that at least some elements into storytelling and character development will be left out, and the trick is to get as much of the geek factor and credibility with its name on screen as possible. And I have to say, Edgar Wright does a superb job of that. The man behind the lenses of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz creates another film with potential to be a cult classic with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Not very many people have heard of Bryan Lee O' Malley's graphic novels as much as big money names from Marvel or DC, but the difference is that the people who have read them usually love them with an unparalleled geek factor. The tale of a 23-year-old slacker who must fight for the love of a girl who, in many ways, is way out of his league is the hyperbole of nearly any young male between the ages of 15-25, and Scott Pilgrim is the representation of said category.

As the reluctant protagonist, Michael Cera does a pretty effective and quite surprising job. Does he stray far from his typecasting of the nerd superstar? Not really. But does he play the role of a typical, wimpy nerd here? Not really. Scott Pilgrim is not nearly as nice as many of Cera's previous characters (in fact he's quite an ass), nor is he the type of guy whom you can steal his lunch money from with ease. He does play the dorky slacker for about the first 15-20 minutes, but as he begins to fight the League of Evil Exes -- in battles that get progressively more epic -- he grows more maturely and indeed worthy of dating Ramona Flowers (played awesomely and beautifully by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who I just may be in love with now).

The supporting cast is stellar as well. Jason Schwartzman as Gideon, the leader of the League of Evil Exes, plays the passive-aggressiveness with such sleaze that it makes him the villain who love to hate. Chris Evans and Brandon Routh play two of the macho exes with utter comical brilliance, and at times it makes you just slightly disappointed that you didn't get to see more of it. And Kieran Culkin as Scott's "cool gay roommate" Wallace Wells could very well be everyone's fave.

All in all, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a unique trip that many of the young adults in this generation (geeks and hipsters alike) should find enjoyable in the least. Anyone expecting anything less than an awesomely fun flick should not be disappointed.