AT THE MOVIES

 

 

 

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG) * * *

 

Rebel with a Cause!

 

By ROBERT WALDMAN

 

     Now and then a film comes out that's edgy and makes a point. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is an appropriate title for the wild proceedings that unfold in this Universal Pictures release.  Seldom do standing ovations follow a film screening but that's exactly what the audience gave this film, now playing at Tinsel town (on Pender, free parking), Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites all over B.C.

 

     Rock and Roll seems to have been with us for an eternity and symbolizes rebellion.  Huggable Michael Cera (Juno) is in his element as Scott, your typical Toronto nerd who moonlights as a guitar player for a band.  Oh, and he has a girlfriend. Never mind that Scott is just a touch older than Knives Chau who's all of 17 - or is she.  Cast as Knives is Ellen Wong in a truly breakout role as a goody two shoes girl happy as a clam to be dating an "older" guy. Loads of friction bears heavily on their relationship as the knives seem to be out on all sides against Ms. Chau.  Here the racial divide is milked to perfection and there's more trouble on the homefront for Scott who rooms with one Wallace Wells.

 

      Kieran Culkin (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) continues to choose good movies to star in and he's terrific as the mixed up friend to Scott. Against this backdrop comes a new girl with a very strange background. Scott is immediately smitten by Ramona Flowers who has had a number of previous boyfriends.  Mary Elizabeth Wintead (Live Free or Die Hard) brings lots of fire to the role of Ramona and at first you just can't figure out the romantic angle.  Opposites do attract and we watch an unbelievable affair take hold. 

 

     Too bad for Scott that his new lady love comes with considerable baggage.  Seven or so boyfriends of Ramona decide they still want her so Scott must decide whether she's worth the effort to make her his.  Off come the gloves and in come the punches as this sad sack goes from pip squeak to macho man in this definite crowdpleaser.  Crowds love the underdog theme and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World throws new light on this tried and true subject.  More importantly, this 108 minute laughfest is full of very funny moments and an extremely clever, witty script.

 

     British transplant Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) knows a good idea when he sees one and Scott Pilgrim vs.The World is both timely and insightful.  Full of  special effects that are cheesy and harken back to the days of the old classic Batman television series. Loud and full of energy this youth inspired treat is fun from the first frame.  Here all the young performers are dead on in their portrayal of modern teens and the exchanges between the characters sound realistic and reflect reality in our modern western world.

 

     Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com