'Scott Pilgrim' Adds Zest to Typical Rom-Coms

Scott Pilgrim vs the World poster. Courtesy of Catchplay

After two months of catching up on the original (and colored) books, I finally watched Scott Pilgrim vs the World on Netflix tonight. It adds zest to the typical rom-com film by incorporating video game-style action, slapstick and visual effects and showed that even though the titular character is a slacker going nowhere, he can be better when it comes to fighting for his own self-respect and loved ones.

Based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley, the titular character, a Canadian slacker bass player played by Michael Cera from Superbad, Juno and The Lego Batman Movie, must fight off 7 evil ex-lovers of his current love interest, American delivery girl Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead from 10 Cloverfield Lane and Live Free or Die Hard. While trying to figure out how to defeat said evil exes, Scott must also help his lackluster rock band, which plays better music here than in the books, win a Battle of the Bands competition to get a record deal.

It was fanatical and amazing how the film combined video game and comic book-style animation and choreography with live-action performances. And as for the exes, Chris Evans and Brandon Routh's characters were far removed from their superhero performances, playing troublesome men who will beat Scott to a pulp to prove he's a nobody. And it was a dark, mature role for Mae Whitman compared to her usual children's TV stuff I've seen her in. But it was full of laughs amidst the awkwardness and cool rock music by Scott's band, Sex Bob-Omb. And phenomenal visual effects when it came to the Battle of the Bands.

I recommend reading the books (colored volumes specifically) before watching the film, and aside from not going in order with the chapters, as far as my expertise, it was very faithful to the original material. Good job to the cast and crew. Thanks for lighting up my Friday night!

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