(6) SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

(2010)

Adapting indie comic series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley and the first American film directed by Edgar Wright, this film, like its source material, is about the eponymous twenty-something Toronto slacker musician (in floundering garage band Sex Bob-omb) – versus, well not exactly the world, but the League of Evil Exes of the literal girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers. Although in fairness, it did take the mastermind seventh evil ex some effort to get the League together – “Do you know how long it took to get all the evil ex’s contact information so I can form this stupid league? Like two hours. TWO HOURS!!!”.

Somehow Scott manages to go toe to toe with the League, although each of the exes seems to have mysterious superpowers – except of course for the third ex, Todd Ingram, whose superpowers originate from his veganism. “I partake of neither the meat nor the breast milk nor the ovum of any creature with a face…short answer, being vegan just makes you better than most people”.

The film itself is somewhat style over substance, but when that style is directed by Edgar Wright, who cares? It’s lovingly crafted style parodying comics and video games – complete with combo meters, written sound effects spelled out in mid-air, points and extra lives – while faithfully replicating the original comic (often panel for panel) and intricately inserting the numerological motifs (one to seven) for each ex (and zero for Scott himself). What more can I say? Adorable fangirl Knives Chau? Demon Hipster Chicks? Captain America’s Chris Evans as an evil ex

Sadly, it was a box office bomb – or is that bob-omb? – although critics liked the film’s visual style or humour, and it has since been redeemed as a cult classic.

“Sounds like someone wants to get…funky!”

RATING: 4 STARS****

B-TIER (HIGH-TIER)