Let's hope we will be able to get back to experiencing films like they should be experienced -- in the theaters. Until then, you're likely getting the most out of your streaming services. So in this series, "Worth a Look," these may not be the most critically acclaimed films. But they are still worth your time.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Three stars
Director: Edgar Wright
Stars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Allison Pill, Ellen Wong, Anna Kendrick.
Rated: PG-13 (for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.
Running time: 1:48.
I had ambivalent feelings about seeing “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” simply because I was teetering on the point of Michael Cera saturation. Could I really take another film where he plays the lovable schlub with the dry wit?
Yet, Edgar Wright -- yes he of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” – sat in the captain’s chair for this one and those two of his previous films are indie favorites. So I wondered which person would have a bigger stamp on this project.
Turns out Wright produces yet another terrific film and finds a way of using Cera’s talents in a most refreshing way. It’s also remarkable that Wright makes an exceedingly fun film while taking material from a graphic novel and video games, both of which haven’t been adapted to the screen with wide success.
This love story between Pilgrim (Cera) and Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is told in the context of a martial arts video game. The 22-year old Pilgrim kind of shuffles his feet and goes through the paces of a new romance, albeit with a girl by the name of Knives (Ellen Wong). Then he runs into Ramona and falls instantly in love with the fuscia-haired, in-line skater delivery woman.
Pilgrim doesn’t have much to offer Ramona. He shares a studio apartment with his gay friend Wallace (Kieran Culkin), and has no job. It’s not really clear how he supports himself other than freeloading off friends. But none of that really matters when it comes to Ramona. It’s just a matter of getting together. They’ll figure out all that ultra-adult stuff later.
So he has to find a way of dumping Knives, keeping his band together for a battle of the bands competition, and defeating Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends. If he wants to continue to date Ramona, that is.
Ah, so much to handle for someone so young. The irony here is that Pilgrim is a Lothario of sorts, having left a trail of broken hearts after his heart was broken by Envy Adams (Brie Larson). He wrestles with his conscience in how best to deal with the developing love triangle.
Seems like Ramona has dated quite a bit. Each battle with a new evil ex brings new challenges and new obstacles to overcome. But Pilgrim, ever the experienced gamer he is, has a slew of abilities we wouldn’t expect.
When directors bring in a gaming element, it’s often done dramatically and doesn’t play well. We’re talking video games here. It isn’t the stuff of great drama.
Wright takes the right tack here. This is a comedy, and a very funny one at that. Each challenge for Pilgrim brings its own set of new circumstances. Wright mines those circumstances for the comedy and he does it extremely well.
Cera has his funny moments. But it’s the supporting cast that makes this as funny as it is, with a little help of self-awareness of movie convention. When Pilgrim’s sister’s friend goes off on a foul-mouthed tirade, each swear word is bleeped out and the ever-familiar black box goes over her lips so audiences can’t read them. Pilgrim actually says, “How do you do that with your mouth?”
Sure, it sounds like the stuff of over caffeinated, addicted video gamers. And it easily could have fallen into a trap with the inane dialogue one might think accompanies this sort of script.
But Wright doesn’t allow that to happen. He, and graphic novelist Bryan Lee O’Malley employ dream sequences, film noir and martial arts action, all nuanced with a sharp wit.
“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” embodies the best parts of escapist entertainment. If you need to get away, this is perhaps one of your first shots of the summer.
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