What Do The Critics Say?
"A crowning achievement in modern nerd culture, a brilliant blending of comic-book imagery, alt-rock music, video-game sensibilities, martial-arts moves and old-fashioned romance. Bits of O’Malley’s comic-book art are interspersed with high-flying kung-fu fight scenes and moments of video-game outlandishness: all of it propelled by a rocking soundtrack, with Sex Bob-Omb’s grungy tunes written by alt-rock god Beck Hansen (or, simply, Beck). Like the garage band at its heart, the movie "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" is scruffy, loud, fast and adorable."
Sean Means SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
"One of the most completely entertaining films of the summer."
Neil Miller FILM SCHOOL REJECTS
"The driving force is the snappy, witty script, one of the year's best, and each actor completely buying into Wright's camp-up-the-comedy kookiness."
Michael Smith TULSA WORLD
"Its speedy, funny, happy-sad spirit is so infectious that the movie makes you feel at home in its world even if the landscape is, at first glance, unfamiliar."
A.O. Scott NEW YORK TIMES
"Summons that rarest of responses: It feels like something new."
Kurt Loder MTV
"Slick, smart and audacious, it's a film that anyone in their twenties who owns a Nintendo will be queuing around the block to see. Directed by Edgar Wright, the movie is visually arresting and often pretty funny. Videogames, manga and comic book conventions provide the inspiration for this wildly inventive action comedy starring Michael Cera."
David Edwards DAILY MIRROR UK
"The real star of the show is Wright, who makes an effortless transition from ambitious Brit genre helmer to blockbuster auteur. It's a hyper-kinetic, visually explosive ride through the world of comic books and video games with strong echoes of John Hughesian relationship angst. It's a heady pop cultural soup: aimed squarely at a generation well-versed in all things geek; and Wright is the head chef frantically stirring the assorted ingredients."
Simon Reynolds DIGITAL SPY
"About half way through this film, I realised I had let my guard down. I was having too much fun. My critic’s hat had fallen off."
Matthew Toomey ABC RADIO BRISBANE
"Adapted from Brian O’Malley’s comic-book saga with breakneck stylistic verve by Edgar Wright, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is the ultimate geek wish-fulfilment flick. Proving himself a modern culture-mulcher to match Tarantino, Wright delivers a mash-up of manga, videogames and comic-book style that you’ve never quite seen before on the big screen."
Jonathan Crocker TOTAL FILM
"Like Billy Liar and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Scott Pilgrim is a pitch-perfect evocation of a youthful underachiever's thrilling inner life."
Maitland McDonagh MISS CHICKFLICK
"Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Bryan Lee O’ Malley’s graphic novel is a multi-media frenzy that absorbs anime, cartoons, video games and indie rock and fuses them into a bright, vibrant and downright entertaining romp through the trials and tribulations of a twenty something’s world. In a cinematic battlefield full of Inceptions and Expendables, "Scott Pilgrim vs The World" takes on all comers and kicks ass. One of the best films of the year so far."
David Michael Brown EMPIRE MAGAZINE
The Inside Story
Director Edgar Wright says he "first heard of Scott Pilgrim in 2004 when Canadian born Bryan Lee O'Malley's recently released first volume was pressed into my hands. Given that my previous work has strived to mix up the mundane with the insane, I was hooked immediately. I loved Bryan’s use of manga and video-game iconography to depict the emotions of these young characters. Adapting these books was a gift, as they are not only funny, charming and relatable, but have increasingly crazy diversions into the fantastical. To be able to do romance, comedy, action and fantasy in the same feature was an intriguing challenge." So what is the world of Scott Pilgrim? "The best way to describe the world of "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" is that it’s a normal world of a normal young man, filtered through his overactive imagination. Bryan Lee O’Malley describes Scott as 'the hero of the movie in his own head.' Our characters’ life experiences are completely governed by the enormous amount of time they’ve spent with their Nintendo consoles." Producer Marc Platt was introduced to Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series when his colleagues Jared LeBoff and Adam Siegel brought O’Malley’s first "Scott Pilgrim" book to his attention in 2004. "I was immediately struck by the buoyancy and vibrancy of the material and how it seemed to capture a moment in time and a generation of characters that were relatable," Platt recalls. "They’re living in this world that is part comic book, part ninja, part kung fu, part anime, part manga. Yet, at the heart of it are these appealing, accessible kids that you recognize, who have accessible and emotional journeys." Platt found the characters in O'Malley's comics so relatable that he believed they would translate well on film. "I was moved by the angst of Scott Pilgrim, his romantic yearnings for the girl of his dreams. He has to overcome challenges in order to get where he wants to go." Soon after they had seen Edgar Wright’s first feature-length film, the 2005 Bram Stoker Award winning "Shaun of the Dead", LeBoff and Siegel suggested to Platt that the genre-fusing filmmaker direct the material the team had optioned. Platt acknowledges he "recognized immediately that the sensibility Edgar would apply to this material was a combustible combination. The moment he said he was interested, the excitement that I had over the source material quadrupled. He works harder than any filmmaker I know, and the work paid off because it’s a complex film where everything has to dovetail into the next piece. Edgar has thought about every piece so it fits perfectly. He is meticulous in his preparation, inspires fun and loves the characters and the material." Co-writer/director Wright learned of the property in 2004 when O’Malley’s first book (Published by Oni Press) "Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life", was given to him by LeBoff ("Wanted") and Siegel ("Cop Out") at an L.A. preview screening of "Shaun of the Dead". "It had only just been released, and these two enterprising fellows said it was perfect material for me," Wright recalls. "The book then sat in my bag for at least a month of the Shaun U.S. press tour before I finally read the now-battered copy on a flight." Wright was impressed not only by the story, but by the video-game and manga iconography that O’Malley used to underscore the extreme emotions and melodrama the characters experience. "It actually reminded me of the TV series I did with Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes in 2008 called "Spaced". I was excited to take on the challenge of bringing the books to life and some of the more insane action sequences to the big screen. This adaptation was the great chance to let my imagination run wild."
Joining Wright in his latest endeavor would be his longtime producer and 2005 BAFTA TV Award winner Nira Park ("Black Books"). For the head of Big Talk Productions "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" would be her fourth collaboration with Wright. "Edgar and I have worked together since the television series "Spaced". To see the growth he’s achieved from that show to his acclaimed efforts as director of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" has been astonishing. All of our projects have been labors of love, and Scott is the culmination of that partnership." Adapting the novels into a screenplay became a joint effort when writer/performer Michael Bacall ("Manic") joined the team to co-author the script with Wright. "Collaborating with Edgar, who is highly self-motivated and has an indomitable work ethic, was truly inspiring," says Bacall, who played Pfc Michael Zimmerman in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds". "The man doesn’t sleep. His focus on every detail of story and script made for an exciting process. We both enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from a tight deadline and a quadruple espresso." When the author of "Scott Pilgrim" Bryan Lee O’Malley was approached about translating his graphic novel series into a film, he had just completed the first book and wasn’t sure where the rest were going thematically. "I pretended I knew and then wrote an outline for them.” Of his process of creating each successive graphic novel, he offered, "It’s like writing a script to begin with, but the next step involves a slow, fractured, confusing process of turning it into artwork." Oni Press’ Eric Gitter, who served as a producer on the film and helped to bring the world of the graphic novels from page to screen. "The creators of our comics are primarily interested in telling good stories and publishing what entertains them. While I don’t think Bryan envisioned "Scott Pilgrim" as a movie when he was originally writing the comic, both are visual mediums. It’s easy to see the connection and how the material was right for translation." The screenwriters aimed to be as faithful as possible to O’Malley’s world while expanding the stories for their medium. As their process evolved, O’Malley would create the next chapter of Scott’s saga and send Wright ("Grindhouse") and Bacall transcripts of the book. "First and foremost was the challenge of how to take the sensibility and spirit of the books to the big screen," Wright says. "Partly that was the tone of the dialogue. Bryan and I have similar senses of humor and both enjoy undercutting the most insane incidents with deadpan reactions. We also share an interest in starting a story in a naturalist world and then exploding into craziness." With the script penned and the production greenlit, it was time to begin populating the world of Scott Pilgrim with the friends and foes of O’Malley’s intricate universe. Casting the more than a dozen characters from the graphic novels would prove a challenge for the production. On seeing the actors chosen to become the Toronto residents of his books, O’Malley says it was, simply, "an amazing, gratifying, weird, eerie experience." Michael Cera had read the first two "Scott Pilgrim" novels before he was approached about playing the title role. Cera knew it was helpful to have a well-defined part for Scott with which to begin. "Bryan Lee O’Malley created such a unique, distinct character that it made it easy for me to get into character," Cera notes while admitting that on the other hand, "It was a little intimidating because "Scott Pilgrim" has such a following, but Edgar was very helpful in finding the right tone and helping me not go too over the top." As he prepared for an arduous shoot, Cera would trust his director’s vision more and more.
"Right off the bat, you feel like there’s a voice that the movie has that is all its own; that’s what Edgar does well with all of his films," 2008 Canadian Comedy Award winner Cera ("Superbad") explained. "As we all rehearsed for weeks, it started to become a world that we all believed in, something very real." Known for playing über nice guys (Evan in "Superbad" and Paulie Bleeker in "Juno"), Cera welcomed the chance to show an edgier side to his performance. That was precisely what the filmmakers wanted to evoke. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who was introduced to global audiences with her role in "Live Free or Die Hard", was cast to play the subspace-traveling Ramona after she met with Edgar Wright. The actress explains what attracts her character to the latest guy in her life: "Scott’s a new kind of love interest for Ramona. He doesn’t seem to be the same as all the other guys that she’s been with. She’s been with a lot of dark, tough and mysterious characters. Now, Scott’s this sweet little lovable idiot that she’s taken under her wing." As Ramona and Scott are in the majority of scenes in "Scott Pilgrim vs the World", Winstead and Cera were required on set for nearly the entirety of the shoot. "Mary’s amazing," says Cera. "She did most of her own fighting and is completely believable at that, yet has this delicate quality that’s also convincing." In addition to Mr Pilgrim, his band, "Sex Bob-Omb", is made up of drummer Kim Pine and lead singer and songwriter Stephen Stills. The band’s biggest fan and hanger-on (before Knives Chau hits the scene) is aspiring bassist Young Neil. Scott’s journey to winning the heart of Ramona involves achieving enough self-awareness, self-respect and maturity along the way that he doesn’t become just another evil ex himself. As he fights his way through the League of Evil Exes, Scott gets stronger and stronger with each defeat. Newcomer Satya Bhabha was cast as Ramona’s First Evil Ex, Matthew Patel (from her junior high school days). "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" marks the first time that Chris Evans has portrayed a super-villain. He was cast to play the ultimate caricature of an action star as Ramona’s Second Evil Ex, the pro-skateboarder turned action hero/ultimate tool: Lucas Lee. Brandon Routh, joined the cast as Ramona’s Third Evil Ex: Todd Ingram. A power vegan who is now dating Envy Adams and plays bass for The Clash at Demonhead, the bleached blonde telekinetic is as arrogant as he is vapid. Mae Whitman (TV's "Arrested Development") was brought aboard the production as the scorned lover, invisibility-cloaked ex, Roxy Richter. Another one of Ramona’s experimental phases is revealed by the arrival of Evil Exes #5 and 6, Kyle and Ken Katayanagi, played by identical twins Keita and Shota Saito. If Scott can survive his battles with all of these exes, he will advance to the bonus round to meet and fight Gideon Graves, the evil ex who wields the most power over Ramona. Cera ("Frequency") describes Gideon as, "the one who Scott can’t stand the most, and Jason Schwartzman is fantastic in the role because he is so funny and charming and detestable all at the same time." "Gideon is so good at being bad because he’s actually kind of likeable," Schwartzman ("Shopgirl") says. "Passive-aggressive: like a mosquito bite. He won’t bother you, but if you start to scratch him, you’re in for a rough night. You might start to bleed." Schwartzman was impressed by his fellow performers, but most of all with his on-set archenemy. And Cera proved to be a workhorse throughout their time together. "Michael is half-man, half-supermans. He worked almost every single day for six months and never let it show."
What's It All About?
 Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim. A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-Omb, the twenty two year old has just met the girl of his dreams: literally. The only catch to winning the elusive, mysterious Ramona Flowers is, her seven evil exes are coming to kill him. Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It’s getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart’s ass: and now is back in town, to the teenage distraction he’s trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world; love has not been easy. However, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor. As Scott gets closer to the alluring Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogue's gallery from her past, from infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsome identical twins.
The Verdict
"Welcome to the colorful, wonderfully whimsical world of Scott Pilgrim. While many (mainly those of the younger persuasion) will boast of a familiarity with all things Scott Pilgrim, I am sure there are many who, just like me, haven't a clue as to what Scott Pilgrim is all about. But please don't let that deter you, because thanks to the brilliance of director and co-writer Edgar Wright, Scott Pilgrim's world is now an 'access all areas' experience, a world even the uninitiated will enjoy exploring. Some may describe Scott Pilgrim as a NERD, but in fact he's a slightly indifferent not quite in tune with life twenty two year old played by "Juno" star, Michael Cera. On the rebound, Scott is now keeping company with a seventeen year old schoolgirl named Knives Chau played by instantly likeable newcomer Ellen Wong. Scott shares an appartment (in which nothing is his own) with Wallace Wells. While Scott is all for the ladies, Wallace is openly gay. Kieran Culkin ("Paper Man") plays the somewhat predatory Wallace, who will, given a moment, seduce and steal anyones boyfriend. There are scenes involving Culkin and Cera that are extremely funny and terribly clever. The role of Scott’s kid sister, eighteen year old coffee shop barista Stacey Pilgrim, went to Anna Kendrick, the young actress who played Natalie Keener in "Up In The Air". Stacey is kept abreast of everything that is going on in her brother's life, thanks to instant texting by Wells. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Lucy Gennaro McClane in "Die Hard 4.0") plays Ramona Flowers, the catalyst for change in Pilgrim's life. When her seven evil exes arrive on the scene the depth of co-writers Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright's imaginations are unleashed on the screen. Cinemagoers are treated to a kaleidoscope of hyperactive colour, music and brilliant action pieces, setup as levels in an arcade video game. In all honesty I have to admit, I was (in a good way) totally exhausted by the time "Scott Pilgrim vs the World" ended. Fans will want to rip into the soundtrack. It's available instore on the Universal Music label. Very Recommended. 4 1/2 STARS."
The Production Team
Directed by
Screenplay by
Graphic novels
Produced by
Original Music by
D.O.P.
Film Editing
Casting by
Production Designer
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Costume Design
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Edgar Wright
Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright
Bryan Lee O'Malley
Eric Gitter/Nira Park/Marc Platt/Edgar Wright
Nigel Godrich
Bill Pope
Jonathan Amos & Paul Machliss
Robin D. Cook/Jennifer Euston/Allison Jones
Marcus Rowland
Nigel Churcher
Odetta Stoddard
Laura Jean Shannon
Who Is Playing Who?
Michael Cera
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Ellen Wong
Kieran Culkin
Alison Pill
Jason Schwartzman
Satya Bhabha
Mae Whitman
Chris Evans
Brandon Routh
Keita Saitou
Shota Saito
Anna Kendrick
Brie Larson
Aubrey Plaza
Mark Webber
Johnny Simmons
Ben Lewis
Nelson Franklin
Kristina Pesic
Ingrid Haas
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Scott Pilgrim
Ramona Flowers
Knives Chau
Wallace Wells
Kim Pine
Gideon Gordon Graves
Matthew Patel
Roxy Richter
Lucas Lee
Todd Ingram
Kyle Katayanagi
Ken Katayanagi
Stacey Pilgrim
Envy Adams
Julie Powers
Stephen Stills
Young Neil
Other Scott
Comeau
Sandra
Monique
Run Time 112 minutes
Rated M [AUST]
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