Movie review: Hyperactive “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” sure to entertain
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a high-energy romantic comedy for the attention-deficit generation, and while it has its share of flaws, it’s entertaining and funny throughout.
Directed by Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”), “Scott Pilgrim” stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, “Rating: Awesome” a text box informs us. Scott is the 23-year-old slacker bassist of Toronto band Sex Bob-omb, who is dating a high schooler, much to the dismay of his friends. Scott’s still distressed over a previous bad breakup and is using the relatively simple relationship his “fake high school girlfriend” provides to attempt to heal.
But then, as the movie begins to get all the more surreal, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), an Amazon.ca delivery person, begins appearing in Scott’s dreams. Scott falls for her, but to date her, he must defeat her seven evil exes.
The movie then becomes even more frenzied, as Wright uses techniques from video games, anime and even Bollywood musicals to create hyperactive action sequences. Wright also pulls several techniques directly from the graphic novels on which “Scott Pilgrim” is based, a six-volume set by Canadian Bryan O’Malley.
Scott uses skill and guile to combat the exes, each time learning more about his girlfriend and himself. But will what he’s learned be enough when he must face Ramona’s final evil ex?
Excellent in supporting roles are Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells and Anna Kendrick as Scott’s sister, Stacey. Ellen Wong is fantastic in her first feature film role as the high school girlfriend, Knives Chau. The music, including songs composed by Beck, is excellent throughout.
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