by: Jason Vaughn & Stacey Levin

Tonight we attended a sneak peek of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”  Since the movie is based off of the much loved comic book series by Oni Press, we thought it only prudent to give you the heads up on the latest jump from print to big screen.

Edgar Wright has managed the impossible!  He has the superhuman ability to do something that other more highly paid, sought after directors have failed to do in recent years – bring a true element of heart into a comic book movie.  Neatly packaged in a shiny foil wrapper of mortal combat-like action, Wright has slipped us an unexpected ruffie of emotional tenderness which is made even more genuine by the performances of Michael Cera, Mary Winstead, and newcomer Ellen Wong.

And what performances they are.   I heart Michael Cera who oozes with infinite nerdastic charm and laser sharp comedic timing.  With just a look, Michael will break your heart and have you on the floor laughing at the same time.  Few people have had the privilege of seeing Michael’s talent evolve and knew what he was capable of from the time he first start appearing on network television.    I am one of those people.  I can recall, but you’ll never remember, a short-lived Fox sitcom called “The Grubbs” that I watched come and go from my basement office back in 2002.  A forgettable show, but there was this unforgettable kid in it who I knew we’d be seeing again.  And we did just one year later when “George Michael Bluth” was introduced to the world in one of the best comedies to ever grace the television screen, “Arrested Development.”  As first the publicist and then creative executive on the series, I was blown away weekly by a young Michael Cera both on and off the set.  Brilliant on the show and even funnier when he was hanging out on my couch at barbeques, I knew it would just be a matter of time before this kid took over the world.  His world domination has begun with “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”

There was never any doubt to Edgar Wright’s film making prowess.  With hits like “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” under his belt, we all knew Wright was capable of pulling off action, comedy and even “rom-com-zoms” with his own brand of British flare and box office success.  “Pilgrim” could have hit any number of landmines that would have blown the whole thing apart faster than a Batman nipple suit. (Yeah that’s right, I’m looking at you, Joel Schumacher.)  The movie could have come out too stylized, too overly mushy, too inside, or so close to the source material, anyone who hasn’t read the books wouldn’t get it.  Not in this case.  Wright manages to so beautifully navigate the kinetic story from one impossible fight scenario to the next, all of the over the top, 8-bit Nintendo style fighting  felt earned and organic in moving the story forward.  And speaking of the source material, if magna style comics, rock n’ roll, and an old Gameboy all had a love child, it would be this book.  Wright took this high concept material and turned it into a sleepy summer hit that I’d gladly go pay to see again.

So, when this weekend rolls around and your choices are “Scott Pilgrim vs. Eat Pray Love” (it’s ok, we all love Julia Roberts), “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Expendables” or “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Other Guys,” we say bring it!  We’re placing our odds on “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Box Office.”   Game on!

Don’t forget to grab your back issues of Scott Pilgrim at Meltdown, and follow us on twitter: Stacey – @TVStaceyLevin; Jason – @GoTodash.

Don’t forget to grab your back issues of Scott Pilgrim at Meltdown