Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Thanks to Jake Barbieri yet again for requesting this review! Scott Pilgrim vs the World, released in 2010, is directed by Edgar Wright, who has directed some acclaimed films such as Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and, most recently, Baby Driver (2017). The film has an incredibly star-studded cast, with Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, Brie Larson, and Chris Evans in leading and supporting roles. I had heard of this film by name for many years but never got around to watching it. I did, shortly before writing this review, and oh boy, what a trip. This film is something else.

The film opens with the Universal Pictures logo, but in 8-bit, with the theme in 8-bit as well, setting up the tone for the rest of the film. The film then transitions into narration telling the audience that, in Toronto, Scott Pilgrim (Cera) was dating a high schooler. I should add that everything in the film feels like a video game. The sound effects, the visuals, and the style. I'll get more in depth about it soon. We are then introduced to Scott Pilgrim, an awkward 22 year old guitarist in a struggling band. His other bandmates have mixed reactions to the news that he is dating 17 year old Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). Many others suggest that he is doing it to get over his previous breakup with Envy Adams (Larson). Knives comes over and the band practices in front of her as the opening credits play. Knives really likes Scott and the band... making it a bit too obvious throughout.

The absurdist aspect of the film is introduced prominently when the film takes us inside Scott's basement apartment, where he lives with his gay roommate, Wallace (Kieran Culkin), whom he also shares a bed with... and whoever Wallace is dating at the time. At one point in the film, Scott is sharing a bed with not only Wallace, but two other guys. It's very funny. Wallace also never keeps any of Scott's secrets, immediately sharing them with his younger sister, Stacey (Kendrick), who calls Scott immediately after finding out about Scott's relationship with Knives.

I, unfortunately, can't be too descriptive in this review, mainly because this film is beyond description, but I would like anyone reading this to experience the film themselves. Anyway, Scott receives a cryptic email about fighting to the death but ignores it. He has recurring dreams about a girl, who he ends up meeting at a party. The girl is Ramona Flowers (Winstead), a delivery girl. He convinces her to go out with him, despite still dating Knives. Scott then is informed by Ramona that, in order to continue dating her, he must defeat her "Seven Evil Exes". Will he be able to do it?

As I said above, the film is a trip. Each fight scene between Scott and one of the exes is choreographed to look like a video game. There are even "points" everytime Scott achieves victory. The fight scenes are colorful and wacky and the film has numerous laughs throughout. Michael Cera is excellent at being awkward in everything he does. He is such an amazing actor. Edgar Wright is also an excellent director and I commend him on directing a film such as this. Despite my positive comments, the film is far too absurdist for me. The film makes sense only if you don't overthink it and nothing makes sense in the film, which leads to humor sometimes for me but not always. All in all, I think people should give this film a watch because it has to be seen to be believed. It is also a good film, I just didn't enjoy it as much as others. I rate this film GOOD on the scale.