POWER UP… ‘I have the capacity to geek’.
(For your pleasure, mainly guys – yes I’m stereotyping - all things nerd have been underlined - don’t say I don’t spoil you all.)
The film (we’ll call it SPVTW because we all know I love acronyms.) itself is one big nerd referencing soup. We have each characters profile popping up at each new face, the comic-book intertextuality (From the original Bryan Lee O’Malley Scott Pilgrim series), and the love for ‘Zelda and Tetris’.
Not to mention the plot line. Scott is faced with the challenge of beating all Ramona’s seven evil exes – without the dreaded GAME OVER. The exes are played by an array of actors (and actresses – yes guys – there are lesbians.) It's safe to say looking at the exes that Ramona isn’t fussy. Chinese guy with white hair? Why not? Chris Evans with an unusual eyebrow dysfunction? Absafrickinloutly. A byfurious ninja-looking funeral-clothe wearing blonde? Marry me.
It’s directed by Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) which leads us to presume it’ll be a success, but the uniqueness (MADE FOR NERDS) of SPVTW makes it a project for Edgar that was not ever presumed he would face, when making the film his approach was simple – he “wanted to embrace the pop art culture of comics”. Edgar also has a great British humour that Americans are forced to laugh at for fear that they will not be considered cool – even if they don’t know what the fuck is going on.
NEXT LEVEL …
So, what about the actual film?
It was okay, I mean, it was fine I guess. LIAR. (Between you and me my conscience really winds me up.) It was a visual feast that left me wanting more, funny, witty dialogue, and minor roles that added SO much to the film. For instance Kim (Kim Pine, Drummer, 23 years old.). She is one sarcastic bitch – but equally hilarious. For instance (Yes, I repeated myself.) at the party she stands alone with her red cup looking just…well… Just look for yourself below.
Secondly, one of the films main appeal to those people who sit at their computer, yearning for an interlectual spark *cough* NERDS *cough* are the gaming references. In an opening scene to the film (in the kitchen) Neil is using his NDS, and faintly the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past music is heard, this is because, as a big fan of games, Edgar said the music was the ‘nursery rhyme of his generation’ so he wanted to incorporate it. When the door then opens for Knives Chau the Zelda “fanfare” sound effect is played – yes, we get it Edgar, you’re a BIG Zelda fan.
Another reference is about Scott’s sister – Stacey Pilgrim. When her character profile pops up she is rated as ‘T for teens’, this rating was used to rate the games in America and Canada by the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
Also Scott’s band is called the ‘Sex Bom-omb’, again this is another reference – this time to the Bom-ombs in Mario – you know, the wind up bombs that waddle.
So, overall, the film is really good, maybe I’m rating it higher than others because I’m overly impressed with the work put into the film, and the thought Edgar has put in it. However, if I didn’t know about the thought and detail I would still love it, and be impressed by Ramona’s ever changing hair colour and the quick editing.
GAME OVER.
(Now re-read the whole post and have a drink every time I’ve underlined something – I guarantee you will not feel okay. However if you don’t drink then eat – preferably cake.)
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