Originally appeared Nov. 12, 2010, in the Rockford Register Star
Some movies… well, most movies… OK, almost all movies are bland, boring, by-the-numbers affairs, not much more than moving wallpaper, giving us something mildly interesting to look at for a few hours. Asking for a movie that surprises you, emotionally involves you or outright astonishes you, well that’s asking a lot. And that’s why, when a movie like “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” comes along, I’m (a) amazed by pretty much everything about it, (b) disappointed that it didn’t find an audience in theaters and, most of all (c) grateful that it exists at all.
“Scott Pilgrim” is alive in all the ways most movies aren’t. Based on a series of comic books by Bryan Lee O’Malley, it tells the timeless tale of a genial Canadian goofball who falls in love with an enigmatic American and finds, to his constant surprise, that to win her heart, he has to face her seven evil exes. And, because this is a special effects movie based on a comic book inspired by video games, these are no mere flesh and blood slugfests. Deliberately choreographed with all the energy and abandon of elaborate musical numbers, these battles involve amazing stunts, outlandish weapons and outrageous (and visible) sound effects. When Scott hits someone, they fly across the room. When he punches someone, a giant “KA-POW” appears. And when he finally defeats them, they turn into a shower of coins. You know, just like a video game.
It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen on a movie screen, and here’s the best part: No one gives it a second thought.
That’s because director Edgar Wright (the genius — yes, genius — behind “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”) creates a unique world in “Scott Pilgrim,” one that combines realistic Toronto and fantastic pop culture land. I’ve mentioned the references to video games and comics books, but I haven’t mentioned the nods to music (Scott is constantly getting involved in battles of the bands), TV (one entire scene is filmed like an episode of “Seinfeld”) and movies (one evil ex is an actor, starring in such epics as “Action Doctor” and “The Game is Over 2.”)
I also haven’t mentioned the talented cast (Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jason Schwartzman and a whole lot more) the soundtrack (funny and catchy), or the film’s look (courtesy of Bill Pope, who also shot “The Matrix”), but hopefully, I’ve convinced you that if you have any interest in video games, comic books, pop culture, fight scenes, sound effects or, frankly, good movies, you need to see “Scott Pilgrim.” Odds are, given the movie’s dismal performance at the box office, you didn’t do that when it was in theaters.
But your disinterest/procrastination/laziness has been rewarded, because “Scott Pilgrim” has just arrived on DVD and Blu-ray, and it’s loaded. Four commentary tracks, an hourlong making-of doc, deleted scenes, bloopers, storyboards, trivia tracks, musical features and lots, lots more. It’ll take you days to get through it all, and it would take a great movie to deserve it all.
Thankfully, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” is that movie. Now watch it.