This year has seen some pretty atrocious movies adapted from graphic novels.
Even when there is a good one, few have ever touched the brilliant visual style of Sin-City. I'm happy to report that Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim vs. the world is a wonderful visual success.
This is in no small part due to the director Edgar Wright. The man behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz knows how to throw some fine elastic storytelling on the screen.
I specify visual because there is a weak link and that is the star: Michael "please-stop-hiring-this-guy" Cera.
Yes he was brilliant in Arrested Development and most other things, but that was six movies ago, and his best-shy-but-cool-boyfriend-ever shtick is getting very old and annoying.
Thankfully the rest of this film works great.
The plot revolves around Scott who has his eyes on the new punk chick Ramona. To date her, however, he has to defeat her seven evil exes in mortal combat style fights.
The entire exercise pretty much caters to one specific fan base.
Specifically, this movie is loaded to the brim with references targetted to people who enjoy indie rock, action comics and 16-bit Nintendo games. In fairness I should really disclose that I am one of those people, and I found this film very entertaining.
That said, I can't in all honest say what you may think of this film if you haven't played a lot of Super Mario Brothers or read your share of comics.
I'm pretty sure anyone wanting to see Eat-Pray-Love wouldn't last five minutes - and that is OK.
