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Philosopher B.
I guess most people out there don't like good things. :'(Whoops. Scott Pilgrim made only $4m on Friday.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (epic trailer of epic trailerness!)
- Thread starter ThatNickGuy
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I meant the movie ending was better than the book ending. I hated all the "the glow" stuff and Gideon controlling not just Ramona's mind and also the cryogenically frozen exes, I thought it was all too weird, even for Scott Pilgrim.I felt the movie dealt with it all in a way that was, if not more grounded, at least more in keeping with the level of unbelievability of the rest of the story.
Overall, the books were certainly better. There was more depth to the characters and the movies cut out virtually all side stories to make room for the main plot, which is all entirely understandable given that it was six books worth of material in a two hour movie, and it worked fantastically. I just didn't much care for the overly serious tone of the final book, as well as the grievances I already listed.
Regardless of which ending you prefer or even which story as a whole you prefer though, I think we can all agree that both are fantastic.
Aside from the weak link of the movie - Cera - I...think I like the movie better, overall. Music is so goddamn hard to pull off in comic form and it definitely made the movie much better in that sense. The music numbers, the acting, the sound effects, etc. And yeah, I kinda liked the ending for the movie better, too. It was more consistent.
The movie is getting a LOT of good word of mouth, though. Here's hoping it does better in the next few weeks.
I will say something a friend said: the movie and the books are different enough that they're separate entities from each other. There's a lot to love about each of them, for different reasons. This was probably one of the better comic adaptations (taking stuff straight from the comic), because it didn't try to be exactly like the comic, but trying to do it a little differently while keeping in the spirit of the comic.
The movie is getting a LOT of good word of mouth, though. Here's hoping it does better in the next few weeks.
I will say something a friend said: the movie and the books are different enough that they're separate entities from each other. There's a lot to love about each of them, for different reasons. This was probably one of the better comic adaptations (taking stuff straight from the comic), because it didn't try to be exactly like the comic, but trying to do it a little differently while keeping in the spirit of the comic.
Saw the film again last night with a friend, and during the party scene where Scott is asking everyone "What do you know about Ramona Flowers?" she tapped me furiously on the shoulder and said "I went to high school with that girl!"
We stayed until the credits in order to make sure, and sure enough, Marlee Otto, Party Goer 1.
Kind of cool.
We stayed until the credits in order to make sure, and sure enough, Marlee Otto, Party Goer 1.
Kind of cool.
They make movies in Toronto?!Saw the film again last night with a friend, and during the party scene where Scott is asking everyone "What do you know about Ramona Flowers?" she tapped me furiously on the shoulder and said "I went to high school with that girl!"
We stayed until the credits in order to make sure, and sure enough, Marlee Otto, Party Goer 1.
Kind of cool.
They make movies in Toronto?![/QUOTE]Saw the film again last night with a friend, and during the party scene where Scott is asking everyone "What do you know about Ramona Flowers?" she tapped me furiously on the shoulder and said "I went to high school with that girl!"
We stayed until the credits in order to make sure, and sure enough, Marlee Otto, Party Goer 1.
Kind of cool.
Just a few
They make movies in Toronto?![/QUOTE]Saw the film again last night with a friend, and during the party scene where Scott is asking everyone "What do you know about Ramona Flowers?" she tapped me furiously on the shoulder and said "I went to high school with that girl!"
We stayed until the credits in order to make sure, and sure enough, Marlee Otto, Party Goer 1.
Kind of cool.
You know it, guy.
I loved the straight out homage to River City Ransom they did in the trailer. The bit with Simon and the guy telling Scott he was on the roof.
Also, does anyone else kinda want to see a Scott Pilgrim series based on the pre-movie stuff? That was pretty awesome.
Also, does anyone else kinda want to see a Scott Pilgrim series based on the pre-movie stuff? That was pretty awesome.
Book spoilers.
I think it would've been possible to make a two-movie series out of Scotty P and have it encompass all of the books. You could end the first one after Sex Bomb-omb play at the Clash at Demonhead show and everyone's giving their commentary, and you see Gideon make his first appearance with a dramatic "No comment." at the end of Volume 3. Works especially well because Volumes 4 through 6 are where shit kinda falls apart for ol' Scotty.
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Oddbot
Ok here's a quick review from someone who has never read the comic.
I thought the movie was pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. My gripe was really with the two main characters, Scott and Romona, who were probably actually the most uninteresting characters in the whole film. Now perhaps many would disagree but I remind you that I have never read the novels and therefore have no previous investment in these characters. All I have to go by is how they worked in the movie. I know how impossible it is for me to view a movie objectively when I'm very familiar with the source material.
Firstly, the two actors really had zero chemistry on screen, or rather weren't even given the time to build any chemistry as the movie zipped along at its frantic pace, something which made the whole romance pretty tough to buy. I also simply never really felt invested in these two characters, and found myself more feeling bad for Knives than rooting for Scott and Ramona, who simply weren't that likeable. This fact could also partially blamed on the two actors themselves. First we have Micheal Cera doing the only thing he can do, which is play Micheal Cera, something that I'm sure most people are pretty sick of by now. It used to be a funny shtick in Arrested Development and Superbad but it's really time for that kid to just go away. Romona really wasn't much better coming off as little more than an angsty hipster chick. Now I'm sure these characters were much more fleshed out in the books, but on screen, little about them worked for me.
What saved the film was the fun and inventive style which led into very fun and inventive fights scenes and an excellent supporting cast. Characters like Knives, Scott's roommate, and the Exes were all a blast to watch and really made the movie entertaining despite it's wishy washy main protagonists. Plus the Vegan Police bit really made me lawl.
All in all I'd call it a movie completely dripping with style and fun fights and one-liners, but a bit lacking in substance. It's lightspeed pacing both helped it by accentuating it's high caliber arcadey videogame style and hurt it by not giving the romance aspect ample time to actually grow naturally making it feel forced. Also, Cera was a bad choice, but I think most people knew that going in.
I thought the movie was pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. My gripe was really with the two main characters, Scott and Romona, who were probably actually the most uninteresting characters in the whole film. Now perhaps many would disagree but I remind you that I have never read the novels and therefore have no previous investment in these characters. All I have to go by is how they worked in the movie. I know how impossible it is for me to view a movie objectively when I'm very familiar with the source material.
Firstly, the two actors really had zero chemistry on screen, or rather weren't even given the time to build any chemistry as the movie zipped along at its frantic pace, something which made the whole romance pretty tough to buy. I also simply never really felt invested in these two characters, and found myself more feeling bad for Knives than rooting for Scott and Ramona, who simply weren't that likeable. This fact could also partially blamed on the two actors themselves. First we have Micheal Cera doing the only thing he can do, which is play Micheal Cera, something that I'm sure most people are pretty sick of by now. It used to be a funny shtick in Arrested Development and Superbad but it's really time for that kid to just go away. Romona really wasn't much better coming off as little more than an angsty hipster chick. Now I'm sure these characters were much more fleshed out in the books, but on screen, little about them worked for me.
What saved the film was the fun and inventive style which led into very fun and inventive fights scenes and an excellent supporting cast. Characters like Knives, Scott's roommate, and the Exes were all a blast to watch and really made the movie entertaining despite it's wishy washy main protagonists. Plus the Vegan Police bit really made me lawl.
All in all I'd call it a movie completely dripping with style and fun fights and one-liners, but a bit lacking in substance. It's lightspeed pacing both helped it by accentuating it's high caliber arcadey videogame style and hurt it by not giving the romance aspect ample time to actually grow naturally making it feel forced. Also, Cera was a bad choice, but I think most people knew that going in.
All valid comments on the film, but I wanted to point out that:
He's an ass, and he needs to learn to grow up and deal with relationships like an adult, not like a high schooler now.
Likewise with Ramona, who's gone boyfriend to boyfriend, dumping them when she gets bored, before they can hurt her. She needs to learn to take that chance romantically.
I have read the comics, so I kind of think about this stuff more than the pace of the film allows (It really should have been two movies to give it some time to breathe, but they took a gamble on it as is, really). But I've always felt that that's the way to see the story.
Is essentially the POINT of the story. Neither are supposed to be very likeable. Scott used Knives for the apparent status of having a girlfriend and nothing more, that's established within 5 minutes of the movie starting, and didn't have the balls to end it properly either. You should feel sorry for her. He's also been playing the victim card even though he's been broken up with his previous ex for over a year.
He's an ass, and he needs to learn to grow up and deal with relationships like an adult, not like a high schooler now.
Likewise with Ramona, who's gone boyfriend to boyfriend, dumping them when she gets bored, before they can hurt her. She needs to learn to take that chance romantically.
I have read the comics, so I kind of think about this stuff more than the pace of the film allows (It really should have been two movies to give it some time to breathe, but they took a gamble on it as is, really). But I've always felt that that's the way to see the story.
I saw it last night and thought it was a very fun movie. I was pleasantly surprised by both Cera and Winstead who ended up being much more enjoyable to watch than I'd anticipated. The supporting cast and music were also excellent and I left the theater contemplating the possibility of reading the comics.
C
Chibibar
My wife and I have NOT read the comic, but we are planning to buy.
We both agree that we hated Scott for what he is and did to poor Knives. We love Knives. She is too awesome for words. In the same token, I think that is what made the movie for us. The main characters (Scott and Ramona) need to grow up a lot.
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Philosopher B.
Having come down from my post-theatre euphoria a bit, I still prefer Edgar Wright's previous two movies over this one. But I am eagerly awaiting seeing this film again.
- Philly-B, who is also going to be purchasing the comic ASAP
- Philly-B, who is also going to be purchasing the comic ASAP
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Oddbot
I get what your saying, and I did get that from the movie, but at the same time I found them kind of boring as well. I feel the supporting cast really stole the show from them.
Dave
Staff member
What. The. FUCK?!?
I have now seen both Scott Pilgrim AND The Expendables. How on God's Green Earth is Scott so far below that loud, dumb movie in the ratings?!? I was fucking blown away by Pilgrim! BLOWN AWAY! I hate, hate, HATE Michael Cera and think all of his characters suck and are whiny pussies. But this movie is so damned good I forgot he was a dipshit and just enjoyed the ride. It's such a stylistically amazing film that you have to actively watch. And it was funny! I'll put up a more thoughtful review soon, but for now I have to roll around in the vibes of awesome.
I have now seen both Scott Pilgrim AND The Expendables. How on God's Green Earth is Scott so far below that loud, dumb movie in the ratings?!? I was fucking blown away by Pilgrim! BLOWN AWAY! I hate, hate, HATE Michael Cera and think all of his characters suck and are whiny pussies. But this movie is so damned good I forgot he was a dipshit and just enjoyed the ride. It's such a stylistically amazing film that you have to actively watch. And it was funny! I'll put up a more thoughtful review soon, but for now I have to roll around in the vibes of awesome.
I didn't think Scott was boring, but I thought Ramona was. After the initial amazingly mysterious-ness vibe transitions to him actually, you know, talking to her, I was really underwhelmed. And while I did find Scott fun to watch, I didn't really get why Ramona was into him either. So overall I fall into the "failed as a romantic comedy, but succeeded on plenty of other levels." I appreciated that it at least made an effort to subvert the traditional romantic comedy tropes, but SOME level of chemistry is needed to identify with the characters, even if you aren't supposed to root for them.
My favorite description of Michael Cera:
My favorite description of Michael Cera:
Cajungal
Staff member
I enjoyed the movie, but I could see how some people wouldn't care for it. Seems like a kind of niche thing. The often brisk dialogue and sometimes jerky movements--as well as the use of music--reminded me of FLCL. I didn't know much about this before. Checked out one of the books at my local comic shop today. It was pretty cool.
They are showing the Film in Germany in January!!! WTF?! i need my pilgrim fix! on a 60ft screen! goddamn!
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Philosopher B.
Spoony made a hell of a review: Linky
He really got deep into it at points. I think he captured what was great about the story and the character motivations in particular, including some things most people seem annoyed about.
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------
I'm totally with ya on the actively watch thing. I haven't felt that glued to my seat in a theatre in a while.
He really got deep into it at points. I think he captured what was great about the story and the character motivations in particular, including some things most people seem annoyed about.
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------
See, I keep reading that old fogies can't properly enjoy this movie. This clearly proves otherwise.
I'm totally with ya on the actively watch thing. I haven't felt that glued to my seat in a theatre in a while.
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Chibibar
heh. I think we all agree that the movie was release on a bad time. Too many competition of "common general stuff" that people seem to love to watch but can't afford to watch this great flick (I consider it to be a great flick in my book)Spoony made a hell of a review: Linky
He really got deep into it at points. I think he captured what was great about the story and the character motivations in particular, including some things most people seem annoyed about.
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------
See, I keep reading that old fogies can't properly enjoy this movie. This clearly proves otherwise.
I'm totally with ya on the actively watch thing. I haven't felt that glued to my seat in a theatre in a while.
Since the economy is not so great, people can only choose to see so many movies a month (if any) and thus I don't see Scott Pilgrim is going to be any better. I hope the DVD sales would be better.
Yeah, I'm hoping that all the good word of mouth will give it a good second weekend. Is there anything significant coming out in the next few weeks?
Also, has it gone international yet, such as Britain? I know it's been established that few people on this side of the pond know who Edgar Wright is, but that's a different story over there. Hopefully, that'll make a difference. Also, I really hope DVD sales will give it the much-needed boost. Personally, I'm planning on pre-ordering the hell out of it.
Also, has it gone international yet, such as Britain? I know it's been established that few people on this side of the pond know who Edgar Wright is, but that's a different story over there. Hopefully, that'll make a difference. Also, I really hope DVD sales will give it the much-needed boost. Personally, I'm planning on pre-ordering the hell out of it.
B
Bergamot
I give Cera a pass on this one, because while he wasn't a perfect Scott Pilgrim, I can't think of another actor who would have been any better. Scott's just a really weird character; I think he did the best he could.
Random thoughts:
The guy playing Young Neil looked too old.
Scott and Stacey's ages were each reduced by one year, I guess to make it seem a little bit less creepy that he was dating a 17 year old, or seem less sad that he was still unemployed?
Between reading the books and watching the trailers, I feel like I was spoiled for 90% of the humor. It was still awesome, but it would probably have been a lot funnier if I had come in knowing nothing. I actually enjoyed the parts where the movie branched off and did its own thing more than the parts where they were just reading the comic verbatim.
The girl playing Julie seemed like she was trying too hard to come off bitchy.
They absolutely fucking *gutted* Kim Pine's character. Probably my least favorite thing that got cut. Book Kim was an extremely dynamic and complex character, while Movie Kim is the snarky tomboy who occasionally says something sarcastic.
I didn't mind them cutting out Lisa Miller, except that I have a friend with that name which would have been cool.
I'm not terribly worried about the weekend box office returns; it's the sort of movie that becomes a cult classic and makes most of its money off DVD sales.
Random thoughts:
The guy playing Young Neil looked too old.
Scott and Stacey's ages were each reduced by one year, I guess to make it seem a little bit less creepy that he was dating a 17 year old, or seem less sad that he was still unemployed?
Between reading the books and watching the trailers, I feel like I was spoiled for 90% of the humor. It was still awesome, but it would probably have been a lot funnier if I had come in knowing nothing. I actually enjoyed the parts where the movie branched off and did its own thing more than the parts where they were just reading the comic verbatim.
The girl playing Julie seemed like she was trying too hard to come off bitchy.
They absolutely fucking *gutted* Kim Pine's character. Probably my least favorite thing that got cut. Book Kim was an extremely dynamic and complex character, while Movie Kim is the snarky tomboy who occasionally says something sarcastic.
I didn't mind them cutting out Lisa Miller, except that I have a friend with that name which would have been cool.
I actually liked the 1up gag a lot better in the movie than in the book
I'm not terribly worried about the weekend box office returns; it's the sort of movie that becomes a cult classic and makes most of its money off DVD sales.
That was great, and touched on a few points that I didn't even notice.
I get what your saying, and I did get that from the movie, but at the same time I found them kind of boring as well. I feel the supporting cast really stole the show from them.[/QUOTE]
Fair enough. I definitely agree that the supporting cast stole the show. Its often the same in the books too. Wallace Wells and Kim Pine rock the books.
---------- Post added at 03:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:28 PM ----------
I watched his Ependables review, and I find the man annoying beyond belief after that. Anyone who says "And that's all I have to say about that" and then continues to babble on for another 15 minutes repeating almost exactly what he has just said, is incredibly annoying.
However, I am intrigued by your promise of his delving deep into the story, and as such I am going to watch this review...
*EDIT*
Ungh, he's STILL talking about the Expendables, and STILL saying exactly what he said 15 times in the last review, and calling it a "recant" of his previous review.
C
Chibibar
It is interesting on how age is perceived in different bracket. I was talking with my wife on this. She and I are 7 years apart. I start dating her when she was 20.
she always go back "do you how old I was when you were....."
We look back.
If I was 10 and she was 3, it was cute she said, "I wanna be your bride" like they do in Japanese anime show.
if I was 14 and she was 7, it was kinda weird, but people will think I'm her older brother looking out for her
if I was 16 and she is 9, that is creepy and probably get me into trouble
if I was 18 and she is 11, I WILL go to jail
if I was 25 and she is 18, It looks kinda weird, but won't go to jail
when I was 27 and she is 20, it is ok. (this is when I start dating her, she came to Texas to visit a friend and decides to stay)
Of course as you get older, the age-gap is less of an issue.... weird huh?
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