Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (1 Viewer)

[kupcho1]

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Tagline: An epic of epic epicness.

Plot: Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil ex-boyfriends in order to win her heart

Could be good.

 

[kupcho1]

In Las Vegas, this chick was lucky enough to see Edgar Wright's SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD before all of us!

A report from the Rave theater/Las Vegas test screening of Scott Pilgrim.

I think the biggest takeaway for me from seeing Scott Pilgrim tonight is how much comedy comes from the visuals in it. Every scene is packed with on-screen graphics that add comic-book flourishes or explain what's going on, cutaways that are for the most part really inventive and funny, or just over the top or out of the blue things that cause you to experience the film in a different way than you're used to. While it's not really like anything I've seen before, it's like some mash-up of elements from Fight Club, Kill Bill, Speed Racer, Natural Born Killers and a Michael Cera movie (take your pick). As schizophrenic as that sounds, Edgar Wright found a way to shake all that up and come out with something original and fun and fundamental.

I'm not sure how closely the film follows the comic book source, but the plot is pretty simple until it goes totally crazy: Scott Pilgrim, played by Michael Cera doing Michael Cera, is a jobless kind of loser who's in a garage band with his friends in Toronto. He's just started dating an Asian high schooler named Knives who's nuts for him but he then falls for this alternative punk girl who he sees at a party named Ramona Flowers. That's when things start to get kind of bananas. To win Ramona, Scott has to defeat her "seven evil exes" in these insane video-game/anime style fights that basically follow the same kind of Looney Tunes physics as most wire-fu. But there's just something ridiculous about having guys someone like Michael Cera in those situations fighting these angry ex-boyfriends (and girlfriends) of Ramona. It's kind of like a John Hughes movie smashed into The Matrix.

Ramona's exes include Chris Evans as a douchey action movie star and Brandon Routh as a douchey bass player in the band of Scott's ex-girlfriend. Routh's character gets his superpowers from being a vegan until he's stripped of them by the Vegan Police who show up because he's duped into drinking some half and half by Scott. Yeah, it's that kind of movie. You're either in for the absurdity or you're not. I thought that was pretty hilarious.

One thing made me smile even before the movie began: they redid the Universal logo and theme song as an 8 bit video game version. Anyone who grew up playing those first generation Nintendo games will so get this. The video game references continue throughout the movie, with Scott getting on-screen ratings and earning bonus points in his fights and the villains turning into coins after they're defeated. They throw those visuals in at even the most random of times like when Scott goes to the bathroom to take a leak and a "pee bar" appears that goes from full to empty.

The fights with the exes start from crazy and go from there. The first one to show up is an asian guy, and that fight turns into a full-on floating musical number with vampire/zombie back-up singers. There are the fights with Chris Evans and all of his stunt doubles shooting a stupid action movie in toronto, plus Brandon Routh's psychic vegan, a girl from Ramona's experimental phase who calls herself "bi-furious" (actually, that fight turns into one between the ex and Ramona wielding a giant sledgehammer and is one of the more awesome ones) and then two asian twins who fight Scott and his band as a double-headed Forbidden Planet/id-type-dragon. Like I said, you either go with it or you don't. Ultimately it all leads to the ultimate bad guy, Gideon, played with Jason Schwartzman and his usual smarminess, who's basically got his bad-guy lair that Scott has to infiltrate.

Like he did in his other movies, Edgar Wright really pushes the genre into whole new areas. This has to be the world's first coming of age/romance/superhero/comic book adaptation/musical/comedy/whatever movie. It has some traces of things you've seen before but not blended together in this way.

The cast is all pretty great. Michael Cera's definitely a love him or hate him kind of guy and he pretty much stays in his usual zone here. I didn't recognize everyone in it, and there are a ton of them, but did know Anna Kendrick as Scott's sister, Aubrey Plaza who is hilarious and angry all the time, and Kieran Culkin as Scott's gay roommate. The girl who plays Ramona is particularly great.

There's a long way to go to finish it. Nearly everything looked pretty rough down to comp/green screen/wires still being visible. But there was enough going on that you could get a sense of where they're headed with it.

I thought it was pretty awesome, all and all, and I really appreciated that it was completely unique. On originality alone it wins. But it also kept me laughing along with it, too, sometimes just at the plain audacity of what's going on the screen.

*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();

 

[Chiwawa]

Looks dumb. And I like Edgar Wright a whole lot.

Not sure if I can forgive Cera after his involvement in the raping of Youth In Revolt.

 

[Kenny Powers]

This movie looks worst of the decade terrible

 

[hooter311]

Is Cera like a Benjamin Button or what is the deal?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

This could be a good movie, but its a pity about Cera. Started strong in Arrested D, but has been playing the same character over and over ever since. Will he ever get a different role?

 

[MrPhoenix]

This could be a good movie, but its a pity about Cera. Started strong in Arrested D, but has been playing the same character over and over ever since. Will he ever get a different role?

Pretty sure you can look up "Michael Cera role" and find the definition of "shy/timid lanky boy who becomes a man" next to it.Can't say I blame him if he's raking in the cash in his niche.

 

[gigantor]

supposed to be great graphic novels..movie looks strange, but i haven't read the books. the lady loved them

 

[mistersmith]

i loved it, it is absolutely crazy and unlike anything i've ever seen before.

it's all fun.

that said, it's not for everyone.

if you're into video games, check it out.

if you're just into highbrow cinema and think every film should strive to be the next citizen kane, avoid at all costs.

eta: cera does not play his usual self.

 

[Twilight]

i loved it, it is absolutely crazy and unlike anything i've ever seen before.

it's all fun.

that said, it's not for everyone.

if you're into video games, check it out.

if you're just into highbrow cinema and think every film should strive to be the next citizen kane, avoid at all costs.

eta: cera does not play his usual self.

To me, that was typical Cera performance. It was the movie that wasn't typical.Definitely funniest movie I've seen this year. Absolutely loved it, but I definitely agree that this isn't for everyone. The visuals and comedy were very surreal, in a good way, but probably not accessible to anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time indulging their geek side.

 

[joffer]

82% at rotten tomatoes

 

[drummer]

I might roll some greenage and check this out this weekend.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Loved this movie. If you've every played a video game and/or read a comic book then you should watch this movie. It's just fun from start to end.

 

[bosoxs45]

so, worth watching?

thinking of seeing a movie this weekend.

 

[gump]

Is Cera like a Benjamin Button or what is the deal?

 

[BobbyLayne]

i loved it, it is absolutely crazy and unlike anything i've ever seen before.

it's all fun.

that said, it's not for everyone.

if you're into video games, check it out.

if you're just into highbrow cinema and think every film should strive to be the next citizen kane, avoid at all costs.

eta: cera does not play his usual self.

To me, that was typical Cera performance. It was the movie that wasn't typical.Definitely funniest movie I've seen this year. Absolutely loved it, but I definitely agree that this isn't for everyone. The visuals and comedy were very surreal, in a good way, but probably not accessible to anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time indulging their geek side.

Ellen Wong (Knives Chau) steals every scene she is in.

 

[Tom Servo]

What does reading comic books or playing video games have to do with this movie?

 

[Exit 1]

I saw this over the weekend and thought it was pretty good. No, it wasn't the funniest movie in the world but it was good, light summer comedy with some good action moments.

Yes, Cera character is similiar to his other roles.

And I know that I'll get some on this, but the female drummer of the Sex Bombs and Ramona Flowers were both kind of hot in their own grungy, dirty kind of way. Ramona was especially hot when she's wearing the black lingerie in bed.

 

[Parasailer]

I saw this over the weekend and thought it was pretty good. No, it wasn't the funniest movie in the world but it was good, light summer comedy with some good action moments.Yes, Cera character is similiar to his other roles.And I know that I'll get some on this, but the female drummer of the Sex Bombs and Ramona Flowers were both kind of hot in their own grungy, dirty kind of way. Ramona was especially hot when she's wearing the black lingerie in bed.

Ramona definitely, the drummer chick not so much. She might fall into the strangely attractive category though.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

I heard it wasn't as cool as it was trying to be.

 

[Exit 1]

I saw this over the weekend and thought it was pretty good. No, it wasn't the funniest movie in the world but it was good, light summer comedy with some good action moments.

Yes, Cera character is similiar to his other roles.

And I know that I'll get some on this, but the female drummer of the Sex Bombs and Ramona Flowers were both kind of hot in their own grungy, dirty kind of way. Ramona was especially hot when she's wearing the black lingerie in bed.

Ramona definitely, the drummer chick not so much. She might fall into the strangely attractive category though.

Well, they intentionally made Alison Pill (actress that plays Kim Pine, the drummer character) looked grungier for the movie.....look at her in character and out of character:In character:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/379624..._6521fc2246.jpg

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/still/sco...the_world20.jpg

http://media.photobucket.com/image/kim%20p...im/kimpine2.jpg

Out of character:

http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/194...20Folder/17.jpg

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/05/...alison_pill.jpg

http://www.broadwayworld.com/photoops/tony...Gleeso92501.jpg

 

[eoMMan]

Still a good movie. HBO has been showing it a lot lately.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Tagline: An epic of epic epicness.

Plot: Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil ex-boyfriends EXES in order to win her heart

Could be good.

Fixed.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

Still a good movie. HBO has been showing it a lot lately.

I've watched it probably at least 3 times over the last month. I dig it. Ramona is hot, old school video game homages, lots of fighting, good music, what's not to like?

 

[mlball77]

I thought it was on OK movie, overall. It was fun.

Love the tagline for this one: An epic tale of epic epicness.

 

[Insein]

Idk why but this is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The comedic timing is impeccable.

 

[eoMMan]

I would love to see a sequel. Let's make this happen.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Idk why but this is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The comedic timing is impeccable.

Agreed. I love it. Will always watch it when it's on TV. Wish it would have been done in 3-D, as the movie seemed to just beg for it.

I also find it funny that a movie that has both Superman and Captain America has an ending fight scene starring Michael Cera and Jason Schwartz.

 

[flysack]

Idk why but this is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The comedic timing is impeccable.

Yep.

 

[cstu]

I heard it wasn't as cool as it was trying to be.

Did you hear that at Vegan Academy?

 

[Charlie Steiner]

I said in another thread that I'd probably get tired of this movie after the first dozen or so times through it. I was wrong, and I think I like it more each time I watch it. Especially the music.

 

[Insein]

Idk why but this is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The comedic timing is impeccable.

Agreed. I love it. Will always watch it when it's on TV. Wish it would have been done in 3-D, as the movie seemed to just beg for it. I also find it funny that a movie that has both Superman and Captain America has an ending fight scene starring Michael Cera and Jason Schwartz.

Lucas is my favorite of the evil ex's. Chris Evans is like an evil Zoolander.

 

[Foosball God]

great movie

 

[flysack]

I heard it wasn't as cool as it was trying to be.

Did you hear that at Vegan Academy?

 

[AcerFC]

great movie

 

[Drifter]

You can count me in the fan camp for this movie. I'll watch it whenever it comes on

 

[Soulfly3]

Nice. Hung around a few of the filming sets in Toronto when they were shooting this.

Always had a weird thing for Allison Pill... especially in Goon

Good movie.

 

[kentric]

You can count me in the fan camp for this movie. I'll watch it whenever it comes on

Same here. I make sure to open my schedule to watch this.

My kids like it too, so you can say that its liked by multiple generations.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

My kids like it too, so you can say that its liked by multiple generations.

My oldest and youngest are into video games, so they like it and will watch it with me; my middle child, the jock, hates it. Go figure.

 

[Insein]

i loved it, it is absolutely crazy and unlike anything i've ever seen before.

it's all fun.

that said, it's not for everyone.

if you're into video games, check it out.

if you're just into highbrow cinema and think every film should strive to be the next citizen kane, avoid at all costs.

eta: cera does not play his usual self.

To me, that was typical Cera performance. It was the movie that wasn't typical.Definitely funniest movie I've seen this year. Absolutely loved it, but I definitely agree that this isn't for everyone. The visuals and comedy were very surreal, in a good way, but probably not accessible to anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time indulging their geek side.

Ellen Wong (Knives Chau) steals every scene she is in.

Love me some Ellen Wong.

 

[gump]

Winstead has grown up hot as hell.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

You can count me in the fan camp for this movie. I'll watch it whenever it comes on

at this point, I don't think I can NOT watch it if it's on. so much to like, and so many funny lines. soundtrack is awesome, too.

 

[popsecret]

My kids like it too, so you can say that its liked by multiple generations.

My oldest and youngest are into video games, so they like it and will watch it with me; my middle child, the jock, hates it. Go figure.

Does he get a lot of girls since he is a jock?

 

[The Big Guy]

Scott!!!!!!!

 

[Insein]

We are Sex Bob-Omb and we're here to make you think about death and get sad and stuff.

 

[bostonfred]

Winstead has grown up hot as hell.

Holy ####

 

[skol asylum]

Scott!!!!!!!

What?

 

[BillyBarooo]

count me in. this and kick-### are two i can't resist when they come on somewhere