Edgar Wright’s fourth film, after the success of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Wright takes a stab at a comic property with Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comedic character, Scott Pilgrim. We continue our deep dive into films that have had audiences divided or recently developed a cult following by fans, these are the films that are better than you remember.
The Music
Some might have considered this movie a rock opera with sounds from Metric, Queen, The Rolling Stones and Beck. This film fills its audience’s ears with incredible rock ballads created by the movies many bands including The Clash at Demonhead, Sex Bob-Ombs and Envy Adams. Even original songs made for the movie just sound like adaptations of other popular songs, including the song Ramona taking inspiration from David Bowie’s Space Oddity. These powerful rock sounds adds onto the intensity of some scenes or humor to others, but also how they play into the story. All we know, is we wish we could get some more sounds like these ones.
The Editing
Edgar Wright has managed to find a way to edit his films in such a way, which keeps its audience intrigued and engaged throughout its entire run time. Whether it’s creating quick cuts to explain a characters back story or when it comes to foreshadowing events that are yet to take place. Wright has managed to take some of the most basic scenes in a film and elevate it into something entirely different. But whether it’s the way something leaves or enters a frame or transitioning from one scene to another, Edgar Wright impeccably adds his flare to this film.
Visual Effects
Visual effects supervisor Frazer Churchill masterfully brings the world of a manga and video game to life, from the most simplistic visuals like texts around characters to emphasize the sound of a hit to creating large monsters fighting each other. The visuals become a key element in the storytelling and artistic style of the film, which is why we mention the comparison to manga and video games. So much so, a new piece of software was created by Andrew Whitehurst and called Wave Form Generator, to visualize the fifth fight of Scott vs. the Katayanagi Twins. Even if you aren’t a fan of the unique art style of the film, you still can’t deny the impact it has made on the visual effects department.
The Fight Choreography
Long time stunt coordinator Brad Allen lends his talents to this film, having spent years working with Jackie Chan. Allen crafts some of the most ground breaking fight scenes in American film. Allen and Wright understand the importance of filming a fight scene from a wide angle, allowing the audience to see and feel every punch or kick delivered. Not to mention, seeing the actors actually preforming the choreography and sucking you into the realism of the film. An added bonus is the creativity in which they fight, resembling aspects of anime with it’s over the top fight stances and high octane flying punches. Feeling as if the manga has come to life.
The Casting
Could you ask for a better cast? You really have something amazing when you manage to get a film with The Punisher (Thomas Jane as the Vegan Police, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson as Envy Adams), Captain America (Chris Evans as Lucas Lee) and Superman (Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram). Even without an incredible cast like that, the comedy gold of Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim combined with the chemistry of Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona is enough to carry the film. Luckily though, Edgar Wright allows each character to have a moment to shine. From the Seven Deadly Exes to Young Neil.
The Humor
Some people might not fully understand the humor of this film, or for Edgar Wrights work, but it is all on full display for this film. The reason this category gets placed at the bottom of our list is because it wouldn’t be possible without everything else on this list. The editing, music and cast is what allows the movie to come together for a perfect comedy action flick. Some of the most notable and memorable scenes comes with the action during fight scenes or the hilarious dialogue written by Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright, combined with the delivery of Michael Cera and the rest of the cast.
