Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Scott Pilgrim vs The World is an adaptation of a series of seven cult-favourite graphic novels. It's directed by Edgar Wright of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead fame. It stars Juno's Michael Cera and stylistically ts largely based around rather old computer games. In other words, its a film that has all the geek fanboys rather excited. That summary has probably, either got you rather excited too or thinking it sounds dreadful. If you're in the latter camp, you're probably best moving along now, I'm not sure anything here will win you over. If you're in the former camp, then the only real question is does it deliver?

The answer to that is a resounding yes. This is lively, energetic, witty and, above all, fun. The story, such as there is one, follows Scott (Cera) bass player in the band Sex Bob-Omb, trying to make it big. He falls for the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and then discovers that in order to date her he must fight and defeat her seven evil exes. For a film that is essentially structured around a series of fights, there was a danger that this could become repetitive, but each sequence is done with its style and twists. In fact, the visual flourishes throughout (largely borrowing from games like Street Fighter) are hugely entertaining and there are some great gags en route. For example, when Scott takes on movie star Lucas Lee (Chris Evans), mid-fight he suddenly finds himself up against the stunt doubles instead. There's also a fairly literal battle of the bands contest and a hilarious sequence with Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) as a super-powered vegan.

On the whole Wright keeps the action moving at great pace and keeps the jokes coming. He's helped by a cast that are uniformly excellent for the film. Its hard to pick standouts, but Evans and Kieran Culkin as Scott's gay room-mate come closest. There are one or two moments when the pace slows and the films drags a bit, but on the whole this will keep you laughing until the end and the amusingly bathetic show-down between Scott and Mega-Scott.

Overall - 8/10 Its lively and fun and anarchically funny almost from start to finish.