Edgar Wright is one of the most intentional and well-crafted directors currently working. Unfortunately, however, many of his movies are cult classics, meaning they did poorly at the box office but received a large following after it left theaters. It is no such exception with 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World'. The movie only received a return of $47m nationwide on a $85m budget. While it still turned a small profit overseas, it was still seen as a dud for the studio. But movies are so much more than their box office numbers and IMDb scores (which is a 7.5 for those wondering) but there is so much about this movie that exceeds the norm for movies these days that makes the movie, great. The unique comic book-esque style gives it life, the music is incredible and makes the movie even more exciting, and the themes of the movie make it personal and heartfelt.
I would highly recommend watching the movie. It is on Netflix so it couldn't be any easier.
The style of the movie set it apart of most movies even in its own genre. Edgar Wright is no stranger to having a unique style that elevates his movies, most notably seen in the use of music syncing with the characters actions in his most famous film, Baby Driver. (Skip to 1:15)
Baby Driver (2017) - Tequila Shootout Scene (5/10) | Movieclipsyoutu.be
But more than just fighting and shooting in synchronization as we see in both movies, the almost comic book aesthetic in the movie is quite well done and adds another layer to the movie's energy and excitement.
A good amount of those fun moments come around the drummer, Kim Pine. The animated "ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR" while beating her drumsticks together to start some songs as well as smaller moments like when she points finger guns at her head out of boredom then a little blam appears next to her as she passes out. Also, the animations around the band like the lightning bolts and such give the band more energy and make them more interesting despite the strange lyrics that start the opening song.
A Tribute to Kim Pineyoutu.be
Other fun animated bits include the character introductions.
As well as the listing of things inside Wallace's house.
Scott Pilgrim- Wallace's roomyoutu.be
And the transition to Scott's mind space...
SP- Scott's mind spaceyoutu.be
The music written for the movie by Brian Lee O'Malley (Also the writer for the comic book the movie is based on) sets the high octane and vibrant tone for the whole movie. The two best being 'Garbage Truck', which is a more modern, slower song, and its complete opposite in 'Threshold', which feels like an older rock song with a heavy baseline.
Scott Pilgrim VS The World - Garbage Truckyoutu.be
Garbage Truck
Scott Pilgrim VS the World - VS The Katayanagi Twinsyoutu.be
Threshold
Other notable mentions include Black Sheep by Metric and Ramona by Beck
Black Sheep
Ramona
Finally the meat of the movie: the themes:
Simplicity:
Scott is presented as a fairly simple character. Unlike one of Kim's sny remarks, he does not appear to have any ulterior motives throughout the entirety of the movie. He dates Knives Chau because he enjoys spending time with her. They do things that are simple and have simple conversations, like "talking about yearbook club and drama at school" whilst going thrift shopping or playing the same game at the arcade.
But simple isn't always best, and he realizes that when he meets Ramona Flowers. While Knives was a simple schoolgirl with simple clothes, hair, personality, and it was easy to be with her because Scott knew what to expect when he was around her, Ramona was everything but. She had weird outfits and crazy hair colors, she was from another country, she had baggage with exes and a complicated past. He fumbles his words and his delivery poorly the first time he meets her and nearly does it again when he meets her the second time.
To Scott, Ramona is complicated, advanced, and unexpected, but for Ramona, Scott is simple. Her main reasoning for being with Scott is because of that simplicity and his kindness.
Fighting Yourself:
While Scott and Knives are playing the ninja game at the arcade early on, at the point where Scott was riding the fence between Ramona and Knives, he has to face "Nega-Ninja" which is basically the 'mirror version' of the ninja he was currently playing as. He gets beat by it easily and doesn't even put up a fight. At that time, he was unsure of himself and what he wants and who to be with that he just, melts, and does nothing. He feels unsupported and alone at that point.
Later on in the movie, after Scott's fight with Gideon, he has to face "Nega-Scott" which seems to be an evil version of himself. Knives and Ramona are both there to back him up and fight for/with him but he tells them that he has to face this battle alone. Battling yourself is hard because you already know your own moves, you know how to cheer yourself up when you're sad and also how to make the sadness hurt deeper. You can never truly defeat yourself.
Ramona's Exes as Scott's Insecurities:
Matthew Patel: Mystical powers. Scott is a regular guy who can only fight alone with his fists, while Matthew Patel fights with his "fireballs" and his "demon hipster chicks"
Lucas Lee: Famous. We see Scott being overwhelmed by the fact that Ramona dated someone famous. He acts starstruck and also wimpy as if he'd never be able to be better than a famous person.
Todd Ingram: Attractive & Strong. Scott comments on Todd's hair at a point, which is contrasted with Envy Adam's earlier rude comments on Scott's hair. On top of that, Todd is strong and very attractive, but he is also arrogant, and that is why Scott beats him
Roxy Ritcher: Special. Scott will never be able to "do this to her" as Roxy says before she dies?
Katayanagi Twins: Always there. Two is better than one applies pretty well here as they are much more able to be there for Ramona than just Scott would be.
Gideon: Rich and Hip. Gideon says that he's what's hip and "happening right now". Scott is a zero who also doesn't have a job or a place to his own.
'Scott Pilgrim vs the World' is an incredible and immersive movie that flawlessly combines excellent dialogue and music with stunning visuals and themes to deliver one of the most fantastic movies I've seen.
For a more in-depth look into what makes the movies so great check out these two videos.
Everything GREAT About Scott Pilgrim vs The World! (Part 1)youtu.be
Everything GREAT About Scott Pilgrim vs The World! (Part 2)youtu.be
