This film has nostalgia written all over it for anyone in their twenties, maybe early thirties. Numerous gaming references drive this highly creative piece of artwork, from it's 8-bit take on the 'Universal' intro to coins falling when Scott defeats is foes to it's epic Mortal Kombat-like battle scenes. I'm gonna try and make lots of references from the movie in this review... so read the review, then watch the movie, then read it again. And don't get too offended.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is dating a high schooler.. Scott Pilgrim is dating a high schooler, that is until Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) crosses his path and starts him on a journey to prove himself worthy of her lesbian. Turns out she's got some baggage, 7 evil exes to be exact. Scott has to defeat each of the exes before he can win Ramona's heart. Her exes include a mystical power-laden guy singing to compensate for his lack of any fighting skill, a famous skateboarder-turned-movie star (Chris Lee), a vegan who just happens to be dating Scott's old flame, a bi-furious girl named Roxy, a set of twins that didn't have much of a back story but happened to help out with the plot progression, and the master-mind of the league of evil exes, Gideon. This movie is all about style, and it's done with such precision and flair that I can't not help but not gush... double negative... tricky. The subplot that progresses the film is that Scott is in a band with 'the talent' Stephen Stills, and yet another ex-girlfriend female drummer Kim Pine (Alison Pill). The band enters the Toronto International Battle of the Bands and progresses through with hopes of winning a record with famed producer G-Man Graves... here's the twist... G-Man is actually Ramona's evil ex Gideon. Awesome.
As I said, it's all done with a wonderful style and a technically savvy eye. It has cult classic written all over it, although I wish more people knew about it. I just realized something, SP has the same initials as SP. Awesome. I re-watched it the other night for SP's birthday (the SP that I know) with SB, DB, DM.soontobe.P, NB, MJ, LL.soontobe.cool.J, FVdB, JVdB, GV, TP and CP. It was just as good the second time around. There are so many moments you'll find yourself grinning from ear to ear, laughing hysterically, connecting with the characters, and plain enjoying yourself. The story itself is pretty good as well, there's a real connection with Pilgrim's fight for the one he loves, and the literal controlling feeling Ramona gets when she's around her ex's.
All of this I say, without any hyperbole, that this is and will be the best movie of the year. It scores the same as Inception, but I think it'll have a longer-lasting effect than Nolan's picture. You need to watching this movie, I guarantee you will enjoy it on some level. This is my first absolute must-see of the year. It may be the last. What are you waiting for? Go watch it!
Story (10) - 8.5
Comedy (10) - 10
Characters (5) - 5
Believability (5) - 4.5
Filmmaking (10) - 10
Enjoyment (10) - 10
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World = 4.8 out of 5 yukes
The Switch - *D*
I referenced this movie in my review for The Kids Are All Right, this is the crappy version of a movie about artificial insemination. I'll tell you the one thing I like about this movie first, so you can probably skip the rest of the review. Jason Bateman, who plays Wally, and the chemistry he finds with his on-screen 'son' Sebastian (Thomas Robinson) is wonderful. They really perfect the nervous, but cute, banter. The rest? It kinda sucked.
Basic Plot: Wally and Kassie (Jen Aniston) are friends who always seem to have bad timing when expressing their feelings for each other. Kassie is sick of waiting for a man, so she decides to have a baby the artificial way (throwing a weird party for it along the way). Wally is sad, he gets drunk at the party and switches the donor sperm for his own. She moves away. She comes back. She's got a son just like Wally. He endears himself to the kid and becomes like a dad. You can probably predict the rest of the movies from there. I'm not much for judging anyone who watches any movie, but if you decide yo watch this movie, I yuke you that you do so at your own risk. It's being put in the *D* category for a reason.
Story (10) - 4.5
Comedy (10) - 6
Characters (5) - 3
Believability (5) - 1.5
Filmmaking (10) - 4.5
Enjoyment (10) - 4.5
The Switch = 2.4 out of 5 yukes
P.S. For those of you who have asked or are wondering, the term 'yuked' is interchangeable for any word I deem worthy of being spiced up. It's merely a play on my last name, and I find it enjoyable to say that...
... you just got yuked!!
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