Well, the tale of epic epicness is finally upon us. I am of course talking of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” When I first saw the trailer to this movie many months ago, I immediately became very very excited to see this film. I have enjoyed the director Edgar Wright’s past two films (“Shaun of the Dead” & “Hot Fuzz”) immensely and I’ve been a fan of Michael Cera since he was on “Arrested Development,” so I definitely thought that film could hold up to it’s tagline “An epic of epic epicness.”
Well, a few weeks ago, I traveled to San Diego Comic-Con, and while there I was surrounded by promotion for Scott Pilgrim. The Scott Pilgrim Experience they held at Comic Con was amazing, being able to preview the soundtrack, get a free t-shirt made, meet Bryan Lee O’Malley, make a pretty cool flipbook with Cory & Dane, and test out the demo of the video game. Later that same day, Dane and I decided to go and get in line for an advance screening they were holding for the film. The waiting was a bad experience (sunburn and bad line management), but once we got inside the theater, all was forgotten.
Continue to read my review after the jump!
Edgar Wright walked out and talked about making the film and then introduced the entire cast (in his words “minus Captain America & Superman”). Then the film began, and three minutes into the film, you could already tell this movie was going to be something special. Watching it for the first time that night, all the visual splendor of the movie felt like it had kicked my eyes in the groin, but in a good way. The way the film is shot and edited together, combined with the visual effects, makes for a truly unique experience, and one that will probably be imitated in the future. The soundtrack of the film is another highlight — you’ll find yourself tapping your foot the entire time you’re watching.
The entire cast in the film is phenomenal as well. Michael Cera pulls off a pitch perfect Scott Pilgrim and Kieran Culkin is outstanding as Wallace Wells. The standouts among the seven evil-exes though are definitely Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram, and Jason Schwartzman as Gideon Graves.
When I saw the film the first time, I had only finished volume 1 of the graphic novels. If you still haven’t read any of the graphic novels before you see the film, that’s fine, because you’ll still be able to enjoy it. Just make sure after you see it that you go out and buy all six volumes, because they’re epic as well.
Last night I saw the film for a second time, and I thought it was an even better film upon that second viewing. I noticed so much more and was still in awe at all the amazing visuals that the film pumps into your eyes. This film is definitely a huge game changer in the film industry, for I cannot remember seeing another film that can even compare to what this film is. So, in closing, this is yet another masterpiece from director Edgar Wright and most likely the most faithful graphic novel to film adaptation ever. Go see the film twice this weekend — no, actually, thrice. I assure you that you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 5/5 stars
