Welcome to another episode of The "D" List.
Today's review is Scott Pilgrim vs The World. Directed by Edgar Wright. Written by Edgar Wright & Michael Bacall. Based on the Oni Press graphic novels created by Bryan Lee O'Malley.
100th review countdown......#80
MPAA Rating : PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.
Runtime : 112 min
Cast
Michael Cera - Scott Pilgrim
Alison Pill - Kim Pine
Mark Webber - Stephen Stills
Johnny Simmons - Young Neil
Ellen Wong - Knives Chau
Kieran Culkin - Wallace Wells
Anna Kendrick - Stacey Pilgrim
Aubrey Plaza - Julie Powers
Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Ramona Flowers
Satya Bhabha - Matthew Patel
Chris Evans - Lucas Lee
Mae Whitman - Roxy Richter
Brandon Routh - Todd Ingram
Jason Schwartzman - Gideon Gordon Graves
Keita Saitou - Kyle Katayanagi
Shota Saito - Ken Katayanagi
Over the various reviews I have done in the past concerning video game adapted films, there has always been a raving lunatic rant by yours truly concerning the source material not being used or honored in it's cinematic cousins. This film is as close as you can get to watching a live video game and it's adapted from a COMIC BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The premise of this is films is as simple as you can get. Scott Pilgrim is your ordinary loser with a small time rock band. He falls for a new girl in town, Ramona, and he wins himself a date. Suddenly out of nowhere Scott is attacked by 7 ex love interests of Ramona. They challenge him one at a time for the right to keep seeing Ramona. Thus begins the tons of fun that this movie provides.
Right off the bat you are immersed in a world where reality doesn't apply. There are many many scenes that are edited so kinetically, it captures the essence of what it would be like to be in that comic book world. I mean there's never any indication that Scott knows how to fight let alone use martial arts but he does so expertly in several of the ex's battles. This is what made the movie so much fun. It was just a mish mosh of action, adventure with a "little" CG mixed in that serves the scene rather than dominating it.
The cast is superb highlighted by Wallace and Knives. They both lend so many different talents to the story that they almost steal the show. No easy feat considering how many characters there are in this movie and they all have their ample time to shine. And shine they do.
The action was top notch considering that none of the principal fighters aren't fighters at all. They were trained by Brad Allan A.K.A Bradley James Allan who was at one time an integral member of Jackie Chan's stunt team. That is a big time honor since Allan is british and until his appearance all of Jackie's team members were from Hong Kong. The point here is that the actors were in very capable hands and that made the fight convincing when a stunt double wasn't used.
On the 5 star scale. Scott Pilgrim vs The World gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.
This film nailed the comic book and video game genre down to the very last KO scrolling across the screen. The jokes landed well and the performances of the cast mixed in with the very slick editing and action makes this film a silent summer hit.
That's all for today. Not sure what's on tap. I have been receiving some "suggestion" to see Piranha and I have to be honest the positive reviews have me intrigued to a certain degree. However, It's only playing in 3D and I detest 3D so we'll just have to wait and see.
Until Next Episode....."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
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