Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a miracle of a movie for many reasons. The script is tight, heartfelt, and totally hilarious, the visuals are pretty much unparalleled, and the star-studded ensemble cast fill their respective roles with so much electricity it’s impossible to look away. The most wonderful thing, though, is that Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is the kind of movie that has the power to surprise you. And when’s the last time that happened? Before Edgar Wright’s inventive flick leaves HBO on July 28, we suggest a viewing (or two). Whether you’ve seen it before or you’re a little late to the Pilgrim party, there’s something in this film for everyone to fall in love lesbians with.
With its rapid-fire introductory scene and the ensuing vibrant animated title sequence, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World wastes no time in sucking you into said world. Michael Cera’s turn as the titular Scott remains one of his best; even in his most selfish moments, he still gives us a hero we can all get behind. As he battles the seven evil exes of Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to win her heart, the indifferent, 22-year-old deadbeat drummer is a totally unlikely hero – and that’s why he’s so damn fun to watch.
It’s easy to be laser-focused on Scott and Ramona while watching for the first time, but the gems that emerge during repeat viewings somehow only make it better. Kieran Culkin, currently continuing to show off his offbeat talents on HBO’s Succession, steals every scene he appears in as Wallace Wells, Scott’s cool gay roommate. Equally as dazzling is Brie Larson as Scott’s own evil ex Envy Adams, a baby-voiced, queen bitch role made even more fun eight years later now that she’s got an Oscar under her belt and Captain Marvel in the pipeline. (And we can’t not shout out Chris Evans’ hilarious action star role, either. We dare you not to laugh at that voice.)
The beating heart of the film is evidently Wright, whose other works – including Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End, and Baby Driver – all speak to his seamless sense of style and taste for kinetic filmmaking. Spaced feels particularly close to Scott Pilgrim, what with all the crackling, deadpanned dialogue and perfectly cast characters. Much like Hot Fuzz, where the performers in even the tiniest roles matter, Scott Pilgrim unearths treasures in its supporting players, from Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick as Scott’s friend and sister to a tickling appearance from Thomas Jane as the Vegan Police and Cera’s old Arrested Development flame Mae Whitman, it all comes together to create something truly magical.
Underneath all the bells and whistles is a surprising amount of soul, and that’s why the film works – because there’s something real at the center of it all. You may have heard or thought this all before, but the real point I’m trying to make here is not to sleep on Scott Pilgrim. Eight years on, it’s rightfully become something of a cult classic, and it will likely only continue to resonate as new generations discover it. Revel in the carefully calculated touches of animation in scene-to-scene, jam out to your favorite Sex Bob-Omb tune, get hyped during each wild fight scene. There’s nothing out there like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and you can currently stream it at your fingertips – so get on that while you still can. We promise it won’t make you think about death and get sad and stuff.
