Reel Views: Scott Pilgrim for the win

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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim is dating a high schooler. Thus begins the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World adapted from the comic books, and what follows are 112 minutes of pure comic book magic.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World follows 22-year-old Scott Pilgrim and his quest to defeat in battle each of the seven members of the League of Evil Exes in order to win the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers. Included in his opponents are a skateboarder turned actor, a vegan with super powers, a girl and the ominous Gideon, the worst and most recent of Ramona's exes. Scott must also deal with dating his “fake” high school girlfriend, his gay roommate and his role as bassist for his band “The Sex Bob- Ombs.”

The cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World features the best of the awkward, angst-filled actors of this generation. Michael Cera takes the lead as Scott Pilgrim himself, and has perfectly awkward chemistry with his leading lady Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers. Alison Pill, Mark Webber and Johnny Stills are comedic gold as Scott's band and Kieran Culkin really hits his stride as Scott's flamboyant roommate Wallace. Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Mae Whitman and Jason Schwartzman are cast as the perfect evil ensemble as members of The League of Evil Exes, with Schwartzman taking the lead as Gideon. In a brilliant nod to Canadian filmmaking, as Scott Pilgrim was shot in Toronto, Don McKellar makes a brief cameo as the director of the film being shot within the film.

As far as the digital effects are concerned in Scott Pilgrim, they leave the viewer wanting for nothing. The fast paced jump-cuts, nonlinear storyline and pulsating musical scores force the quick pace of the comic book upon the audience. Also lending itself well to the comic book vibe of the film are the highly stylized fight scenes, where the impossible is made possible. The movie also features movement lines when a character is running, and oversized on-screen text including the ringing phone and the classic “POW” of a punch making contact. Each of these additions makes the film - with its very beginning a throwback to the sensory attacking animation of Norman McLaren - feel exactly like reading a comic book as opposed to simply watching a film. Not to be forgotten are also the ultra-cool video game-style hit points, 1-UPs and helpful hints displayed on screen so quickly that the viewer cannot possibly absorb them all upon first viewing.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is an excellent watch for any comic book fans who thrive on the fast pace of the medium. It is thoroughly enjoyable — if a little hard to follow for those not familiar with comic books. Whether or not you are a fan the comic, this movie is definitely worth checking out.