Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World on DVD/Blu-ray 11-9-10

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a Mashed-up Classic

British director Edgar Wright works in an individual style that is fueled by measured tempos. His rhythmic approach makes him a sort of visual musician, giving his film a beat that is constantly manipulated and shifting.

An early example his developing technique can be found in Wright’s first foray in film, Shaun of the Dead, when Simon Pegg and his posse gang-beat a zombie down with pool cues to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”. You can clap your hands to the whacks and smacks. His next film, the buddy-cop action flick Hot Fuzz, featured intricately choreographed violence that, at times, mimicked the grace of ballet.

Wright’s new film, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, is his rock opera. The ultimate mash-up film: Pilgrim is a Kung Fu/ Bollywood video game movie that is based on a comic book and has slivers of Star Wars sewn in for good measure. This movie operates in a universe that speaks directly to a generation raised with a game controller fused into his/her hand.

Deep in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada we meet our hero, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), who is a little emotionally stunted. Ever since his gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Envy (Brie Larson), left him; he hasn’t been able to reassemble the pieces and move on. He’s 22 years old yet could easily be mistaken for a kid out of high school. He has managed to moved out of his parents house but he didn’t make it far. Scott now lives directly across the street in an apartment he shares with his reluctant roommate, Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin).

Scott occupies his time playing bass for a garage band named Sex Bob-Bomb whose best track is the declarative anthem “We are Sex Bob-Bomb” . The ever-important Battle of the Bands is fast approaching yet instead of practicing Scott’s band mates are more preoccupied with his new 17-year-old girlfriend, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) who is completely enchanted by everything he does. She’s too young, too innocent and Scott will inevitably break her heart. These concerns become immediately warranted once Scott lays eyes on the mysterious Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).

Mr. Pilgrim drops everything to pursue Ramona who, with her gorgeous anime eyes and Technicolor hair, might just be the girl of his dreams and something worth fighting for. Which is good because if Scott wants to date the lovely Miss Flowers he must first defeat her Seven Evil Exes in video game style duels that end with the loser bursting into coins a la “Super Mario Bros”. It is a seemingly impossible task and Scott will need to level up if he is to finish the game.

Presented in glorious 2 dimensions, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a visual marvel that has depth and texture without relying on the 3D gimmick that dominates the cinema today. The cartoon action is filled with punches and kicks that can be seen as well as heard.  The film’s cinematographer, Bill Pope, was also behind the camera for the The Matrix franchise and Pilgrim shares a similar electric energy with that trilogy. Here he ups the ante and takes the tricks he developed in those films and pushes them even further. No one can capture flying fists like Pope.

Now the negative. While Wright is so focused on the look of the film, the characters suffer from lack of development. Everyone is plenty likable but they have trouble connecting to each other, especially Scott and Ramona. It never seems clear if or why Ramona is interested in Scott, there is merely a shrug of the shoulders attitude in their scenes together. Considering that this is the relationship that makes the whole thing go, it is a problem. It as if Wright wants to get to the good stuff and simply skips and skirts any real feelings. This doesn’t have to be deep, soul-searching territory; it just would have been nice to be able to root for the two of them more.

These flaws are minor and the film as a whole is intensely entertaining. In Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Wright perfects and utilizes his own personalized cinematic language. He has a thousand different ways to convey his information while maintaining a consistent cadence and pulse throughout. The film is a modern and dazzling micro-epic. A sort of demi-musical for the plug-in and play generation.

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY COMBO PACK:
INSIDER DOCUMENTARIES:
– Making of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
– Music Featurette
– You Too Can Be Sex Bob-Omb
ALTERNATE FOOTAGE: A special look at alternative edits to the film.
PRE-PRODUCTION: A look inside the film’s pre-production process including storyboards, pre-visualizations, animatics, motion capture tests, rehearsal footage, casting tapes, hair/make-up tests and more!
THE MUSIC OF SCOTT PILGIRM VS. THE WORLD: This feature includes four complete music videos and video remixes from legendary DJ Osymyso.
VISUAL EFFECTS: This feature takes a second look at the movie’s inventive visual effects.
SOUND WORK: A mini documentary about the creation of the film’s super-powered sonic landscape.
TRAILERS & TV SPOTS from the theatrical release of the film
ADULT SWIM™: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Animation
SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE CENSORS: TV safe version
BEHIND-THE-SCENES PRODUCTION BLOGS from the set of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by director /producer/ co-writer Edgar Wright.
FREE BONUS MOVIE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY: Blu-ray Combo Pack consumers will have instant access to stream action hits Tremors or Pitch Black via BD-Live, Smartphone or computer.
U-CONTROL: Universal’s exclusive signature feature allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9nS9iDsaj8