Scott Pilgrim vs The World(2010)Movies based on video games tend to reek of disaster: think “BloodRayne,” “Alone in the Dark,” “Street Fighter.” We’ve had more luck when it comes to comic-book films such as “The Dark Knight,” “Kick Ass,” and “The Crow.” When a movie is made based on a comic book that has a video game feel to it, we get “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” Does it go the way of the “BloodRayne” or is it more “Kick Ass”? Thankfully, we get something more like “Ghost World” shoved into a Super Nintendo, then kicked out by the likes of Kick Ass himself.
It’s fun, it’s campy, it’s been under appreciated by modern audiences and ultimately, and it’s destined to become a cult classic. Thanks to the great visuals inspired by old 16-bit games and tunes provided by what sounds like Gameboy nerd fixin’s with a little 1-UP mushroom on the side.
Bitter Balcony has talked smack about Michael Cera before, but “Scott Pilgrim” seems as if it’s written for him. Cera’s comedic timing and delivery are right. He kicks ass like any quarter-spending video game fan would. Cera’s joined by Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead who play rival love interests Knives Chau and Ramona Flowers, respectively.
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Youth in Revolt (2009)
Comedy. Comedy has taken a turn for the uncomedic as of late. The horny young loser trying to get the girl in the sack isn't as funny as it was in the '80s. Instead of searching for a new comedy formula that works, we are "treated" to 90-plus minutes of some miscast GUY chasing some chick. And often this GUY is a 22-year-old cast in the role of a 16-year-old. Take the unfunny Michael Cera, for example. He's hairless and he sounds like an 8-year-old.
If you've seen any movie about a horny nerd chasing the movie's token cute girl, you've already seen "Youth in Revolt" – and likely with better execution. Even the trying-hard-to-be-funny animation sequences don't draw a chuckle. There were only two lines in the movie that got a laugh. Steve Buscemi, the only plus to this boring film.
