Often you may stumble upon a movie, one so extraordinary, so funky, so rich and oozing with charm, that you think to yourself, "How come I never knew about this movie before?" And then, that movie goes on to stick to your heart, and your mind and your thoughts on the possibility of filmmaking totally changes. Trust me, if that has never before happened to you, then you should get on it. And I have to give to you, the best movie to start with. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is such a movie, that, while did not do good box-office numbers, certainly made a place among the cult classics. Helmed by Edgar Wright, this movie is definitely one of the weirder comic book movies, one that fearlessly embraces its wacky, absurd, quick-wit humor and in turn, is one of the most memorable movies ever.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World follows Scott Pilgrim, a 23 y/o Canadian young adult, living just two steps away from his parents' basement. When he falls in love with Ramona Flowers, a new resident from New York, he must defeat her seven evil exes, to gain her love.
Yes, you heard me. He must defeat her seven evil exes to gain her love. Now, now, stay with me, it only gets more wacky and upbeat. Edgar Wright weaponizes the absurdity of the plot to the whole of the craft of making the film itself. Extra-emotive characters, seamless transitions, floating words, audio cues, visual cues, this movie is jam-packed with oozing charm, wholesomeness, but also rich and adult themes underneath. Wright really struck gold with this movie.
Bill Pope brings his A+ game to the cinematography. Uses of clever shot-reverse-shots, horizontal screen-wipes, onomatopoeic effects, comedic timing of introductory cards, switching in and out of multiple aspect ratios to induce the sensation of dream-like sequences or reverting back to reality, its all used masterfully to craft a coherently beautiful, visually-pleasing movie that really sticks to your memory for a long time to come.
Same praise is applicable for Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss' clever mixing and editing of the film. The editing in this movie still remains one of the best in my eyes.
Nigel Godrich composed an energetic indie soundtrack that really helps catapult the film's world to another level of charm and extravagance. The cast is filled with talented actors, who don't hold back on their acting chops and in turn, make this movie nothing short of resonating, funny, theme-rich and poignant in the most unexpected of ways. Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Brie Larson and everyone else and in-between, are all dedicated actors who give this unbelievable world a layer of believability to it.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, while is a crazy, absurd comic book movie, has rich, deep themes underneath, teaching us about self-worth, loyalty, being a generally good person. The message is shown through the titular character Scott Pilgrim's arc from being a generally sucky, questionable-morality-booting person to someone who overcomes his negative side and makes peace with himself. All throughout then movie's energetic comedy tone, the audiences are also subtly reminded of his negative side, and when he finally becomes the ultimate hero he is destined to be, it's not in just an arc completion, but also the audience celebrating with Scott. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World remains one of the most colorful, unusually-mature, resonating movies I have ever seen. I always thank my friend for suggesting me to watch it. I won't be losing my reverence for this movie anytime soon, and can suggest anyone to watch it. This remains one of the most criminally underrated movies ever in history. Edgar Wright truly did something special and it shows.