Fantasia 2010: Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Okay, this is going to be a short one. Anybody who grew up in the 80s or 90s, see this film right now! Director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), has taken Bryan Lee O’Malley’s critically acclaimed post-millenial graphic novel series about an awkward slacker/hipster – or is it hipster/slacker? – falling for the girl of his dreams only to find out that he has to fight his way through her exes in order to claim her and has turned it into a movie for the masses. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World delivers on all fronts: amazing and absurd action sequences, touching and realistic everyday life scenes, and hilarious cultural references that had the crowd rolling in the aisles when the film had its Canadian premiere at Fantasia this summer.

Michael Cera, who developed his chops in similar roles in Superbad and Juno, not to mention his character on the under-appreciated TV series Arrested Development, is the perfect Scott Pilgrim, and his chemistry with Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Death Proof), who plays love interest Ramona Flowers, is electric.  But even more electric are the action sequences, as Scott has to fight off the League of Evil Exes in order to win Ramona’s heart.  Featuring fine and funny performances from the likes of Brandon Routh, (Superman Returns), Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down), Anna Kendrick (Up in The Air, the Twilight series), Chris Evans (The Losers, Fantastic Four), and Jason Schwartzman (The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore) as the ultimate level boss, as well as plenty of visual and aural nods to many popular arcade favorites of the 80s and 90s, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World plays like the NES video games of yesteryear: side-scrolling, tongue in cheek action games where much of the humor is intended for the built-in fans but is accessible to all.

Destined to be a huge hit, and with a massive marketing campaign behind it, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World doesn’t need our help to get people to see it, but it’s so much fun that we felt it necessary to help spread the word anyway. What are you waiting for? Go get yourself a ticket for this film ASAP, but watch out…you never know who may be lurking around the next corner, waiting to smash through a wall and fight you for the love of your life.