
Comic strips and video games merge within the pop-culture candy land that is “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”. The hyperactive landscape is quite comfortable for videogamers, particularly those forged within the fires of fighting games. Those who don’t relate to the augmented reality of “Scott Pilgrim” are typically the very same critics who had difficulty tolerating the ultra-violent comic book film “Kick Ass”. Reviews of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” have largely been more optimistic, nevertheless.
‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ reviews trumpet the wild mix
An explosion of popular influences make “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” like no commercial film that’s come before. Young musician and professional slacker Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is looking for true love. He eventually finds it in Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), but is faced by a septet of trouble. Scott must defeat Ramona’s “seven evil exes” “Street Fighter”-style before he can have the love of the Technicolor-haired young maiden. It’s a simplistic plot ripped straight from a video game, and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” pays constant tribute to such games, comics, television shows and other pop-culture artifice in a dizzying fusion. It may not teach you anything, but that’s OK. Critics in favor say we should sit back and enjoy the ride as it washes over.
Review fusion for the Pilgrim in you
Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News sees “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” as a blur of style over substance, nevertheless a romantic coming-of-age story that burns with a satisfying light in bright neon. The surreal mix is on the cash, says Film.com. Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times calls the one-man-versus-the-horde throw down an “inventive, free-floating ode to nerdville” where star Michael Cera “channels his Cera-ness perfectly, which is tougher than it looks”.
Play on, Pilgrims
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” rocks to its own beat. “It’s the playing that matters,” not who wins the skirmish of exes, says the Los Angeles Times reviewer. But on the other side of the fence are reviewers like Kyle Smith of the New York Post. Scott Pilgrim’s journey lacks direction and loves itself too much, writes the Post’s reviewer. That ride may not be for every person, but it captures its target audience with panache. “All games, no joystick” is the Post’s verdict, yet judging by box office receipts, people are lining up to play.
Further reading
Films.com
film.com/features/story/review-scott-pilgrim-takes-us/39953185
Los Angeles Times
latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-scott-pilgrim-20100813,0,4279497.story
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2010/08/13/2010-08-13_scott_pilgrim_vs_the_world_review_music_and_videogame_visuals_take_this_tale_for.html
New York Post
nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/all_games_no_joystick_LiPc4JHjB5HPqyv4vSD4AN
Tags: Michael Cera, Ramona Flowers, Scott Pilgrim, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World