Scott Pilgrim VS. The World (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

( Max score: 100 )

94

Film Synopsis:

Game on! Scott Pilgrim just met the girl of his dreamsliterally. But in order for them to date, he must defeat her seven evil exes -- a rogues' gallery -- including an infamous skateboarder, a vegan rock star and fearsome identical twins! From the genre-smashing director of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead comes a true original (Entertainment Weekly) powered up by wit, action and groundbreaking visuals that you will want to watch again as soon as it's over!

My Take:

Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for totally average garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him. Genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) tells the amazing story of one romantic slacker's quest to power up with love in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It's getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart's assand now is back in townto the teenage distraction he's trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn't been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor. As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogues' gallery from her pastfrom infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsomely identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the world is based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley. Prior to seeing the film I had no prior knowledge with them. It isn't a prerequisite for understanding the film but I suspect that those familiar with the books would glean more from it. To the unconventional would be an understatement but if you're open to a little nonsensical, live comic book style storytelling this movie is lots of fun. Director Edgar Wright is certainly no stranger to unconventional filmmaking (previous works include Shawn of the dead, and Hot Fuzz) and he is on top of his game here. The film seems to be set in an alternate time period somewhere between the early 1980's and present. The film's avant-garde narrative is supported by the use of split screens, pop-up style phrases (ala TV's Batman), quick edits/cuts, and frenetic pacing. Not knowing anything about these characters going in I was surprised and then intrigued when Matthew Patel swoops in and attacks Scott during the battle of the bands concert. From that point forward the film took on a new dimension where anything seemed possible. I think that is what I enjoyed most about it as each of Ramona's evil exes comes forward to challenge Scott. The cleverly integrated relationships between Scott, the band, his sister, and roommate Wallace are pitch perfect and counterbalance the primary plot points revolving around Scott/Ramona, Scott/Knives, and the evil exes nicely. I think the thing that surprised me most was the level of action featured in the film and the over the top manner in which it was presented. There is no doubt that this movie walks a fine line between pure folly and credible entertainment.

I have said it before and will say it again, Michael Cera is a strange dude. His awkwardness is part of his appeal which makes him somewhat unique although one dimensional as an actor. Regardless he seems to stay quite busy and finds roles that play to his strengths. Scott Pilgrim is just such a role and I have to admit that it fit him like a glove. The remaining members of the cast, right down to the cameos, are on target and add just the right element that enhances the film's offbeat theme. I haven't seen many films like Scott Pilgrim vs. the world so I have little frame of reference. What I can say for certain is that I liked it. It may be far removed from award-winning cinema but it's inventive, funny, loaded with action and looks like a comic book come to life. Yup, that'll work.

Parental Guide:

The rating is for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.

Audio: 96

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Video: 92

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Scott Pilgrim vs. the world comes to Blu-ray Disc from Universal Home entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 25 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.6 Mbps.

This is a superb looking Blu-ray presentation from Universal that delivers high level detail, razor sharpness and resolute definition that brings out the lifelike textures captured by the camera lens. Detail perception is nearly flawless with lucid visual acuity and fine rendering throughout. Colors are lavish and eye popping with oversaturated primaries and warm tonality that make them pleasing. Flesh tones are tonally natural with appreciable delineation among the varied complexional types in the cast. Spot on contrast and inky blacks enhance sequences containing mixed content containing light and dark elements. A good example of this can be seen in chapter four as Scott and Ramona go for a walk through the park at night. Shadow detail is discerning which adds depth to the film's variety of sequences shot in low lighting. On occasion the nature of the photography softens some shots but its effects are innate as fidelity appears unaffected. From what I could see there are no compression related video artifacts, or noise present in this whistle clean high definition video transfer that is sure to please even demanding videophiles.

Like the video quality The 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack doesn't disappoint. This is a powerful mix that utilizes the entire system to create a theater like experience. Sound staging is excellent as both the front and rear channels are seamlessly integrated. Sound effects traverse the room during the large fight sequences. Dynamics are energy filled and impact felt with discerning articulation and resolute clarity. This is an aggressive mix that makes regular use of the subwoofer to accentuate its already strong dynamics. The result is that all points of contact seem to resonate with tactile low bass impact. The quality of the bass is first rate as it is fills the room with clean, hard hitting, and deep resonating low frequency energy. Dialogue had excellent soundstage presence with clear, defining vocal character and excellent room penetration. This is a reference quality audio/video presentation that offers demonstration worthy material for those who like to show of their home theater systems.

Bonus Features:

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• Feature commentary with director/producer/co-writer Edgar Wright, co-writer Michael Bacall and Author Bryan Lee O'Malley
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• Technical commentary with director/producer/co-writer Edgar Wright and director of photography Bill Pope
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• Cast commentary with Michael Cera, Jason Schwartzman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong and Brandon Routh
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• Cast commentary with Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Kiernan Culkin, and Mark Webber
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• (HD) 21 deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by director/co-writer Edgar Wright
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• Scott Pilgrim vs. the bloopers - 9 minutes
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• (HD) Making of Scott Pilgrim vs. the world - 2 segments totaling 49 minutes
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• Music featurette - 16 minutes
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• You too can be Sex bob-omb - 2 minute feature
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• Alternative footage (3 segments):
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  2. Scene edits - 12 minutes
     
  3. Bits and pieces - 6 minutes
     
  4. 7 outtakes
  
  
• Pre-production:
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  2. Pre-production footage - 10 segments
     
  3. Animatics - 17 segments
     
  4. Rehearsal videos - 8 segments
     
  5. Props, rigs, and set montage - 2 minutes
     
  6. Casting tapes - 13 minutes
     
  7. Hair and make-up footage - 10 minutes
  
  
• Music promos:
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  2. Music videos - Garbage truck, Black sheep, Threshold, Summertime
     
  3. Osymso remixes - 7 segments
  
  
• Visual effects - Roxy fight/Ribbon version, Phantom montage: high speed footage (before & after)
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• Soundworks collection: Sound for film profile
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• Adult swim: Scott Pilgrim vs. the animation
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• Scott Pilgrim vs. the censors
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• Blogs
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• Galleries
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• Trivia track
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• Trailers: Theatrical (Teaser, main, international), TV Spots, Video game trailers
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• My Scenes bookmark feature
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• BD-Live enabled
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• D-Box Motion Code enabled
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• Pocket Blu - App for iPOD/iPHONE
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• Universal's U-Control
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• Digital Copy
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• Bonus DVD of Scott Pilgrim vs. the world

Final Thoughts:

Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley Scott Pilgrim vs. the world is an unconventional action comedy that walks a fine line between pure folly and credible entertainment. I found it to be inventive and funny while appreciating its comic book style action, homage to vintage video games and cleverly incorporated script. I have routinely been impressed with the technical quality of the Blu-ray titles I have reviewed from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Scott Pilgrim vs. the world is no exception. This is a reference quality presentation that features pristine high definition video and room shaking DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound. Add to that a full compliment of bonus supplements that run the production's gamut and you have a superb Blu-ray offering that is a must have for fans.