Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Even though I wanted to go see this for its 15th anniversary with my comic book club, I didn’t manage to. Instead I used a battle scene to teach writing a review. However, the enthusiasm of gen-z is so lackluster, it got me wondering, is this still a good movie? Well this is what we are going to find out. 

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010) 112 mins. 

Adapted from the graphic novels of Bryan Lee O'Malley. The story is this: Scott is a twenty something in a band, who starts dating a high school girl, then meets another girl, Romona. We later find out that to date Romona he needs to battle her 7 evil exes (not boyfriends) to continue dating her. 

I have watched this movie countless times, and all I can say is this time I really noticed the ridiculousness of it all. Bear in mind I don’t think that's a bad thing. I feel like this movie has a lot of just surreal movements, where things happen that seem so out of place, but then you remember this is a comic book world, so maybe a guy with mystical powers, and the power of being a vegan are just everyday occurrences. 

It is not to say this is another one of those movies with dumb stupid action. There are some themes here. Such as, who is the bad guy when you break up? What are the reasons for breaking up? How do you go about your life after a traumatic break up? What are you willing to do to be with a person you like? I know these all kinds are all under the same umbrella, but these themes are quite universal to a lot of people. 

The visual style of the movie is just something that can’t go a miss. I feel like watching this after watching the few comic book movies around this time, they take themselves real seriously. You see this is in a lot of muted colours, flat environments and green screen. Compared to here what we see is a visual delight. From the on screen onomatopoeia, to give that really comic flare. The use of blur lines and close ups to help sell the anime feel. The use of video game music and chimes, to make the world seem like a video game. The use of arcade style score numbers after each batter. 

This time around I really paid attention to what I was watching. One of the things I did notice was the fact that each of the battles were different. I guess it’s something I noticed, but this time I realised how different each of them are. From the one on one, to group battle, bass battle, the two women, amp vs amp and the final boss. Each done differently to make them stand out. As I said, it is something I noticed before, but never really thought about. I could easily remember one distinct thing about each battle. It’s just weird. I never noticed it being so obvious and deliberate.

Watching this movie now, it's clear that so many people in it were just coming up in their career. Many of the cast are now super famous, and when the film came out, maybe a few of the cast were known. Now I feel like everyone knows who is in this film. Which makes sense, as this movie is now 16 years old. It still makes me smile to know that they are willing to come back and to do these roles. 

This is part of the review where I just point out the thing I didn’t like. Unlike most movies I watch, there isn’t much I don’t like. The only thing I don’t like are the twins barely get any play in the movie at all. The story kinda rushes though at points. After reading some of the manga, I wish some stuff was kept. Like knives vs Romona in the mall. Also Anna Kenderic and Albury Plaza needed more screen time. These are my negatives. 

Some of the things I did like were the use of Zelda music throughout. Something I now noticed having played a few of them. The fact it was seven evil exes, not boyfriends, which happened three times and the last time was the pay off. The bleeping of Julie. “Don’t talk to me about grammar!” Todd you fool. I’m so sad, it will always be a hit to me. Finally of course, Wallace Wells, gay icon. 2 guys in his bed, then 3. And of course date stealer, ahh Jimmy! 

After watching the movie in 2026 I can see why this movie is what a lot of guys think women need. It’s the ultimate power fantasy that allows a man to come in and save a woman. Even though Romona is more than woman enough to defend herself. I can see how this would be something a lot of men strive to do, and know they would succeed. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of surrealism in their comedy. Fantastic comic book visuals, and outstanding performance from all the cast. It’s a comic book movie that is afraid to be a comic book movie, and plays a lot of its references on its sleeve.