Edgar Wright, director of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Spaced, has made his bread and butter with genre-acknowledging films that temd to give the audience a feeling that their sense of irony has just been given a lobotomy. In his first venture out of the comfort of working with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Wright has developed a cult-pop world with anything-goes rules that is brilliant to watch, and hilarious throughout.
While I might not have very many of the cast members on any of my 'Top 10 blankiest blanks' lists, this particular cocktail of actors is a quick kick to the junk that feels soo good. I never would have expected the blend of Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Kieran Culkin, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman to taste as abrasively smooth, but they clearly managed to have a lot of fun making this movie while still taking it seriously. (attempted unsuccessfully in the past by such films as Ocean's 13) I can't say I've been following the career of Kieran Culkin but his performance is chuckle inducing to say the least, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead is adorably sharp.
Brandon Lee O'Malley created a world where-in there was one rule; Even the most tragic heart break can be made hilarious. Edgar Wright, along with a very well put together cast has brought it to life in the most vivid and perfect way I can think of. Trust me I wanted to pick it apart as much as possible, and every time a criticism started to creep into my head, Pilgrim would, very ostentatiously, beat it back with a comically large hammer. This movie quickly and easily sought rank in my 'Top 10 Perfectiest Movies of 2010' list.
Pilgrim is the newly reinvented everyman and I expect this movie will make quite a splash on August 13th weekend, I know I plan on seeing it one or two more times in theaters. I didn't even know Scott Pilgrim was based on a graphic novel series until recently, at which point I figured 'yeah but there's a movie coming out. . . duh', but I have it on the very good authority of the ten people on either side of me in line before the movie that it 'cut out only inconsequential things, and left in a few inconsequential things that were just too fun to leave out. otherwise it was a completely accurate adaptation'. So do with that what you will.
A tidbit of advice from ol' uncle Saxby though, stop watching previews for this movie! Don't make the mistake of inadvertently seeing the entire film without realizing it.
In summary, brilliant, amazing, jaw dropping, laugh out loud, subtext becomes text, coming of age pop-art love-comedy that you must see? SCOTT PILGRIM vs. THE WORLD.
>B.S.
Yes and yes.
ReplyDeleteThis movie surpassed my expectations and there was never a(n unintentionally) dull moment. Loled numerous times.
Very true about the criticisms being resolved - On a few occasions I felt less-than-pleased by the writer's sensibilities, but then found the writer was on my side... almost in a morality tale-esque way.