film

Initially a cult hit and then a bona-fide mainstream smash, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a hyper-stylised, genre-blending adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels that fuses comic-book aesthetics, video-game logic and screwball romantic comedy into something unique and intensely fun. Michael Cera plays the titular hero, a 22-year-old Toronto slacker and bass player, with his signature delicious awkwardness.

Pilgrim is in the early throes of a romance with the enigmatic Ramona Flowers, but the situation comes with a surreal twist: to date her, he must defeat her “Seven Evil Exes” each of whom is rendered as a boss-battle antagonist with his own visual palette, musical motif and comic timing. Surrounding this extraordinary central conceit are factors that elevate the film from curio to beloved, enduring treasure: snappy editing, a superbly written script, a soundtrack featuring Beck, Metric and Broken Social Scene, memorable aesthetics and a sincere message about self-respect, emotional accountability and growing up.