|
Directed by: Edgar Wright Premise: An adaptation of the graphic novel.
Independent rock band member Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) must fight and defeat
the six evil ex-boyfriends of his new love interest in order to live happily
ever after with her. What Works: Scott
Pilgrim vs. the World is the latest from director Edgar Wright, a filmmaker
known for subverting the conventions of film genres while simultaneously
fulfilling them. But Scott Pilgrim is
even more ambitious than his previous work. Where Shaun
of the Dead sent up the zombie films and Hot
Fuzz parodied buddy cop pictures, Scott
Pilgrim vs. the World takes on multiple film genres including action films,
teen romances, video games, and super hero stories and mashes them together in
an explosion of pop art. Although this collection of elements might have
overwhelmed a lesser filmmaker, Wright and co-screenwriter Michael Bacall have a
firm grip on narrative and character and keep the film surging through all of
its elaborate set pieces. Even as the film bombards the audience with non-diegetic
elements, piling in sight gags, one liners, and allusions, it keeps chugging
forward with Wright’s characteristically furious editing and shooting style.
The film is also assisted by Michael Cera in the title role. Cera gives a
performance typical of his work in films like Juno
and Superbad
but as Scott Pilgrim he is at his shuffling, mousy, and emasculated best; the
story demands that Cera actually do more than mumble his way through his scenes
and the actor rises to the occasion, giving a complex portrayal of young man who
must learn to take responsibility for his actions. Cera is accompanied by Mary
Elizabeth Winstead as his character’s love interest and Ellen Wong as his
former flame. Like Cera, the two actresses play it real despite the fantastic
nature of the story world and ground the interpersonal drama of the film. And
that is what makes Scott Pilgrim vs. the
World so extraordinary. The film incorporates the elements of its various
genres to create a surrealistic story world but then takes its hero on a very
real emotional journey. What Doesn’t: For all of its visual surprises, Scott
Pilgrim vs. the World does come up a bit short in narrative twists. For the
middle act of the story, the title character spends most of his time fighting
his new girlfriend’s former loves or waiting for them to show up. The film
smartly reverses this in the end, but for a while it does get repetitive. Bottom Line: Whatever Scott
Pilgrim vs. the World might lack in narrative it more than makes up for with
its sense of fun, style, and overall coolness. The film is a satisfying blend of
action, comedy, and cinematic craftsmanship that is very entertaining. |
|
|