Reviews
Scott Pilgrim vs the world
I remember watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for the first time like it was yesterday. It was at a cinema in Dubai, where I was supposed to see The Expendables with my parents, but a projector crash cancelled that screening. Luckily, the only other film showing at the time was Scott Pilgrim. My parents left bemused, but I walked out thinking I had just seen one of the best adaptations ever made. After what feels like my hundredth rewatch this weekend, those feelings have not changed.
The film follows Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), a nerdy 22-year-old from Toronto who plays bass in an indie band with big aspirations called Sex Bob-omb. He is currently dating a high schooler, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), but finds himself conflicted about his feelings for her. Before he even has time to sort them out, he falls for a mysterious newcomer to the city, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Unfortunately for Scott, his love life quickly spirals into chaos when Ramona’s seven evil exes team up to take him down. It is now up to Scott to defeat them one by one, win Ramona’s heart, and somehow come out on top at the Battle of the Bands. Sounds like chaos, right? That is because it is, in the best possible way.
The movie unfolds with each fight arriving in rapid succession, creating electrifying sequences that transported me back to playing the Sega Mega Drive with my dad, the two of us trying to beat each other on Street Fighter. Even now, fifteen years after its release, those scenes still bring the biggest, cheesiest grin to my face. Between the battles, we are treated to a soundtrack that has lived rent-free in my head since 2010 and remains, to this day, one of the most consistently fantastic in any Hollywood movie. It is frantic, chaotic, and insanely entertaining throughout, moving like a high-speed freight train through the wildly entertaining story.
Edgar Wright, in his first foray into Hollywood filmmaking following his comedic masterpieces Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, proves to be an inspired choice to direct the film. His stylistic approach is impeccable, blending editing, inventive visual cues, and a mastery of comic book and video game logic to create a world that feels fully alive. With the help of editors Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss, Wright crafts a universe bursting with jaw-dropping visuals, exhilarating action sequences, and playful attention to detail, from pixelated “pee meters” to comic-book-style sound effects on screen. The result is a story and world that surpass expectations, bringing the energy and humour of the source material to vivid life.
Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim is as perfect a casting choice as you could hope for. His nerdy persona fits the character down to the smallest detail, and he looks completely at ease in a role of this nature. His quick one-liners throughout the film are consistently delightful. That said, he does not outshine his co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who is equally perfect as Ramona, balancing Scott’s awkward charm with her own cool, mysterious energy.
The supporting cast also shines, with Scott’s friends and enemies adding memorable moments of humour and excitement throughout the film. Anna Kendrick excels as Scott’s wiser older sister, while Kieran Culkin delivers one of the movie’s funniest performances as Scott’s sarcastic gay roommate. The evil exes make their mark as well, particularly Jason Schwartzman as Gideon, the “final boss” and leader of the group. Chris Evans and Brandon Routh, portraying two of the other exes, provide some of the most memorable fights in the film. While their appearances are brief, both deliver fun, over-the-top performances that heighten the enjoyment.
Many movies over the years have attempted to adapt comic books or video games, but few have done so as successfully as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It is rare for a project to achieve such a perfect blend of directing, editing, casting, humour, and visual inventiveness, yet this film is one of those exceptional cases that got everything right. Even fifteen years on, it has not only stood the test of time but continues to influence filmmakers, musicians, and gamers alike, making it a true cult classic that remains as fresh, inventive, and joyously chaotic as the first time I saw it.
