Director Edgar Wright’s last two films – “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” – pulled off a neat editing trick. They’d mash a few sequences together into a narrative paste, all the better to rush to the next gag, the next one-liner.
His latest film, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” feels like it’s constructed entirely of that editing shortcut.
The film, based on the graphic novel series, treats your attention span as if it was an unwelcome rash.
Michael Cera stars as a would-be rock star who falls for a girl with seven uber-powerful exes. But the real star is Generation RightThisVerySecond, since the film kowtows to our youth obsessed, technology drenched age.
Cera, playing the all important Michael Cera role, stars as a young bass player named Scott trying to get his band off the ground. With a name like Sex Bob-Omb, it isn’t easy. But music takes a back seat when he feasts his eyes on Ramona (the fetching Mary Elizabeth Winstead).
Little does Scott know Mary’s parade of ex-beaus is a mile long, and he’ll have to battle each and every one if he wants to win her heart.
Why? Hmm. Because almost nothing in the film makes much sense. It’s a sight and sound assault that does have its advantages.
Wright couldn’t direct a movie without making audiences laugh early and often. Here, he dabbles in retro-gags (Pac-Man!), video game shout outs – the bad guys dissolve into tinkling coins when they’re defeated – and other savvy references to milk laughs from us.
It almost always works.
And the cast on hand to do Wright’s bidding can’t be blamed. Brandon Routh tweaks his super image as a blonde, vegan fueled ex, and Chris Evans channels his inner narcissist to play Ramona’s movie star ex.
But the narrative skips around like a record player spinning a broken disk, and the script is so hip even Diablo Cody might screech, “enough, already!”
“Pilgrim” might be the closest thing to a video game transferred to the big screen you’ll ever see. The punchy music. The endless fight scenes. The titles popping off the screen. Heck, we’re even treated to a “pee” meter which measures … well, you know.
When Scott gets pummeled by an ex he simply dusts himself off – no harm done. Where did all these people get their super powers? And did Scott know he had them, too?
The questions pile up, and the answers are likely besides the point. What you’re left with is a love story without spark and characters without character – save Kieran Culkin who steals a few moments as Scott’s gay roommate.
Watching “Scott Pilgrim” is akin to standing behind a great video game player in action. At first, the blinking lights and sweet effects are captivating. But you’ll soon wander off to play your own game, even if your skill level can’t measure up to the guy or gal whose shoulder you’re peering around.
(Photo: Michael Cera stars as a love-obsessed band member in “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”)
Related posts:
on 
on 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
As a 30 year old who grew up with Nintendo and boss battles, I enjoyed Scott Pilgrim, even though I knew nothing about the graphic novels until seeing the trailers. It was funny, and I loved the throw backs to the 8bit games. I found the love story endearing, for the most part, and while I would have enjoyed a little better reasoning for the “league of ex-boyfriends”, the one thing I could have done without was Kieran Culkin. Enough already in that regard!
I didn’t hate it, Dustin, but boy did it make me feel old!
The hilarious thing about reviews like this is that this movie is a nostalgia piece: the videogames and music the characters reference are all from the 80s-early 90s. This “right now” aesthetic that bothers some people so much is the “right now” of 15-20 years ago.
Did film critics in the 70s talk about American Graffitti being super current?
The film mentioned blogging at one point – for a while I thought it was set in the 80s or 90s given all the nostalgic references.
Movie was a flawless victory. I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about it… er… right Kieran Culkin… though he was pretty funny in this so I will let him slide.
“the Sex Bob-Ombs”? Care to take another stab at that one?
BTW, “Sex Bob-omb” is a perfect example of what I loved about this movie. It’s not *just* a stupid videogame in joke when you give it any thought: a bob-omb wanders around aimlessly and self destructs when someone touches it. Rather than a game of “spot the reference” the cultural signifiers tell us about these characters.
A movie like this is almost guaranteed to garner dismissive, thoughtless reviews like this more- hipster-than-thou elitist. Rather than make it through the film’s outer layers (which is something one would assume movie critics enjoy, otherwise, why the hell bother?) and recognize the story for what it is: a man’s self-discovery back dropped against maturing to the point of being able to handle the emotional baggage that comes with falling in love. The reason Michael Cera was cast is because -like it or not- the Matinee Idol / Leading Man template does NOT APPLY any longer. People relate to the characters he has played (from Arrested Development forward) because his onscreen persona is that of the socially awkward romantic whose amorous ambition are trumped by his lack of self confidence. I’m guessing more of us can identify with that than a WB / Clearasil Zac Effron type this guy would have rather seen in this movie. This is Michael Cera showing why he’s the best at this type of roll. Cut the man a little slack. And WHAT IS THE ISSUE all of these pretentious critics have with the video game imagery. It is JUST IMAGERY. A visual asthetic! These guys are acting like it’s goddamn Rosebud or something.