Michael Cera stars as the titular hero who tries to win the heart of a girl with some unusual baggage: seven evil exes who want him dead. Part action movie, part impromptu musical, part post-modern love story, this crazy hodgepodge somehow works when logic says it shouldn't. The movie builds up a bit awkwardly, with little connection between one scene and the next, but one the action begins the movie build momentum and will keep you glued to the screen.
Cera, practically the poster-child for teenage awkwardness, seemed like the last person who should have played the comic book's endearingly clueless ball of 8-bit ADHD, and yet he mostly pulls it off. When he cuts down on his trademark self-conscious awkwardness and embraces his character's goofy recklessness he really stands out, giving his best performance since Arrested Development.
The supporting cast is great, all with their own lovable quirks and defects. The chemistry between characters is nearly flawless, especially when Scott's gay roommate Wallace is involved. The dialogue feels naturalistic yet absurd: the way real people would talk if they inhabited such a thoroughly insane world. And there are too many great comic one-liners to single any one out. If this movie had managed reach a bigger audience it would have been a goldmine of pop-culture quotes and internet memes.
The only major flaw is the portrayal of Ramona, who seems to have no personality aside from her changing hair color and seeming bored with everything. Compounded with Scott's awkwardness, it makes for some romance scenes that range from endearingly pathetic to just pathetic. Despite an otherwise diverse and amazing cast of characters, the movie makes one slip-up and confuses music taste and fashion sense for personality.
All in all Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is far from perfect, but it's such a unique and entertaining experience that you'll hardly care by the time you get to its hilarious, action-packed climax. This epic of epic epicness fully lives up to its name.
Final Score (out of 5 8-bit hearts)
Love your review! I stumbled upon it looking for more Scott Pilgrim after seeing the movie last night. True indeed is its absolute epicness.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with most of your assessment, the exception being Ramona Flowers. I feel as though her lack of actual character traits was purposeful, to mimic the concept of "the princess to be saved" when you have no concrete plot/reason to do so, sort of a Mario/Princess Peach relationship. The audience is given enough to at least partially justify Scott's fascination/infatuation with her, but she is, for the most part, just the endgoal. I wish that they had put more into making her a more dynamic character, but I understand how this technique fit in with the style.