So I caught a screening of SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD at Hollywood’s classy, Egyptian-theme Vista theater. As I did with IRON MAN 2, I’ll opt to convey my thoughts on the movie through some points rather a formal review.
- High concept descriptions for this have ranged from Jason Reitman’s “This is THE MATRIX of love!” to that asinine "TWILIGHT for geeky man-children" meme. I think the most apt is Anna “ Stacey Pilgrim” Kendrick’s soundbite about it being like FERRIS BUELLER meets KILL BILL. It’s a Tarantino-esque kinetic pop culture potpourri, sure, but there was an endearing John Hughes-style vibe too. It’s really a picture of the times (texts, Amazon, Veganism, and what not) and you get a true sense of community in the characters.
- Along that note, I hope Adult Swim does more SP toons, because I'd love to see more of these characters and this world. Saying you didn't get enough of a movie like this is one of the best compliments you can give.
- I still couldn't get over the fact that Scott was fighting Captain America and Superman in this. Christian Bale should've shown up as the secret boss, the eighth evil ex, who could only get unlocked if Scott got double perfects on all the other exes.
- I see this as something of a companion piece to the SIN CITY movie. Both were ensembles, both were "living comics" and both were exciting and unpredictable in the way only something with such singular vision behind it can be. Plus, it's interesting to realize that this is a hodge podge of video games and indy rock as much as SIN CITY was a hodge podge of noir and... psychosis really.
- Maybe my only criticism is that it seems kind of contradictory that this whole story's about Scott gaining self-respect (and, the confidence that goes with it) when this whole drama started with him having the guts to ask out a girl whom everybody says is out of his league. Plus, for somebody identified as "not being a jock," he was amazingly athletic and violent. Given how rad the fights were, I'll gladly suspend my disbelief over that.
There are five or six comic movies coming out this year and this was by far the one I was the most excited about. I've been saying it ever since those first production stills came out however many months ago. Hell, this is one of the best times I've had all year. This is what excites me about going to the movies. I need to go read the comics, now! 5/5
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE. Order them on Amazon here & here.