Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) – E. Wright

I feel as though I’m about 25 years too old for this movie – but with all the retro references to ‘80s and ‘90s videogames and music, I’m not sure.  What do the kids like anyhow?  This movie is also 7 years old and probably dated.  Since I haven’t kept up with US pop culture, I don’t know the graphic novel this was based on and I haven’t seen Michael Cera on TV.  I know who he is though.  Edgar Wright, the director, makes slick funny pastiches of other genres (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) that are so well-crafted that every line, every sound effect, every choreographed move seems to fit together in the right place.  So, Scott Pilgrim the movie is kind of like a theme park ride in that respect – perfectly designed for maximum effect on you (with more onscreen graphics than you can shake a stick at).  But in the Edgar Wright film there can also be too much of everything, or it can feel over-stylized, over-done, forced.  Not that there are too many moments of that sort here (a couple of cringe-worthy spots and the music isn’t as cool as it pretends it is).  Oh yeah, the plot:  Michael Cera is a geeky guy in a band who still isn’t over his ex (Brie Larson, also in a band) but is now dating a 17-year-old Chinese-Canadian high school student (the film takes place in Toronto) until he falls for Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and has to fight her deadly exes in order to date her.  The fights are videogame style.  Jason Schwartzman is the final boss that he needs to defeat.  It’s all sensitive and smarmy and geeky and cool and occasionally funny and probably just too self-conscious for its own good.  But the kids probably liked it and I didn’t mind either.  But a little of this goes a long way.