Scott Pilgrim: The Film of the Game of the Book (Spoilers, Once More People See It?) [Archive]

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 04:02 AM

OR, If you're going to go to the midnight showing of a movie based solely on your love for its source material, at least see the one that tries.

Just got back from seeing Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Will probably end up seeing it again this weekend with people who aren't 'dedicated' enough to stay up late. Needless to say, I like-liked it.

I would say love, but it's a very complicated movie to properly quantify with feelings. I love the music. I love the performances (cue the Internets oddly pathetic Cera bashing), and the awesome, awesome fights, and the music, and the stylistic directorial touches...but ideally, Scott Pilgrim's story shouldn't be a one movie affair, and this simple fact that lies beyond the control of anyone involved prevents me from outright loving it, even as I sit here late at night going over the many ways I thoroughly appreciate and am in awe of what I've watched.

So, assuming you go see the movie at some point, what should you expect? Well, as I've tried to imply with the thread title, this is an adaptation that feels closer in spirit to a video game based off of the Scott Pilgrim series, rather than the actual comic books. This isn't to say that it's like a Xerox of a Xerox, more that the mood is more closely related to a goal oriented play experience than a sprawling six-volume story. For instance: A really wide ranging cast of fun characters with some depth is streamlined into a number of side characters with great comic presence. Moments that feel like they should be infused with some drama happen sporadically, but never with the amount of force they really should be presenting (although the film is clever enough to have realized this and comment on it as they happen). And boss fights (with very simple and clear goals) take the place of subtext-laden relationships.

Also, it moves like an absolute motherfucker. Seriously, it's like a twitch movie, and part of the reason I want to see it again is because I feel like I was only able to discern about 40% of the Easter Eggs. I mean, the comic panels could get dense sometimes, but there is absolutely no decompression in this movie, which ends up being both its greatest asset and its curse.

Anyone else enjoyed it yet?

EDIT: Damnit, spent too long writing this up and looking at various reviews to notice the other thread was brought back from nowhere. I humbly submit that this be the thread for talking about the actual movie since the other was sort of the pre-movie news thread?

Yumil

08-13-2010, 04:15 AM

Honestly, the comic as it is wouldn't make a good movie or movies. It's too full of supposition and stuff you can only really do in a comic.

The comic, game, and the movie all differ plotwise. They all stay true to the comic though. In the end it has to be, because what works in a comic, doesn't in a game or a movie.

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 04:27 AM

Honestly, the comic as it is wouldn't make a good movie or movies. It's too full of supposition and stuff you can only really do in a comic.
I wasn't saying that I wanted the exact same plot (and in fact enjoyed all of the diversions), but more that the film's (inherently) limited time meant that it kind of muddied the core theme of Scott Pilgrim.

Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, will be seeing it multiple times in theaters and will probably wait for the ultimate edition of the Blu-Ray to devour the special features, but every time I watch it, it will still remain a movie where the individual great scenes don't ultimately congeal into the statement the movie thinks it is making. And again, this is solely due to the fact that it's the type of statement best laid out with solid ground work and foundations, but which ultimately can't be achieved with the amount of minutes they were given.

Basically, I'm perfectly delighted tht this is the filmic Scott Pilgrim we were gifted with, but I think in the real Best of All Possible Universes it would have been a trilogy.

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 10:03 AM

Ok, I think I thought this up while I was groggily half-asleep, but it sort of explains how I feel a little bit better.

You know how some comedies are built on the principle of having so many jokes that, as the cliche goes, it doesn't matter if there's a dud because the next bit is right behind it to cover up? Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is exactly like that, but with every aspect of the film. This is great for the jokes and references and fights and music, but feels a tiny bit hollow when applied to, say, plot detail and emotional beats.

Also, I'm going to list some of my favorite divergences from the book, which is to say that I'm going to start compiling a list of all the divergences from the books but stop when I get bored with listing.

-The Battle of the Bands concept, if only for Stephen Stills continuing descent into madness.
--Amp v. Amp. The battle itself is great, but I was really pleased as punch with smash cutting from the poster words to the giant wall of amps their opponents had.
-That weird DDR-Ninja game, both for the ridiculous over the back spin move and how it was cleverly used to highlight the disintegration of their relationship.
-The Bass Battle
-Clash at Demonhead using a Metric song
--Knives referring to them as TCaD was also a nice touch
-The great application of Talkng as a Free Action during the Roxy fight

I'm bored.

Yumil

08-13-2010, 01:56 PM

-That weird DDR-Ninja game, both for the ridiculous over the back spin move and how it was cleverly used to highlight the disintegration of their relationship.

It is also cleverly used at the end. No, I'm not talking nega-scott, but the final battle with Gideon they pull off the same shit in the same way.

Fifthfiend

08-13-2010, 03:10 PM

I love the performances (cue the Internets oddly pathetic Cera bashing)

Yeah, lots of people have a pavlovian impulse to bash bad actors.:)

I wasn't saying that I wanted the exact same plot (and in fact enjoyed all of the diversions), but more that the film's (inherently) limited time meant that it kind of muddied the core theme of Scott Pilgrim.

It muddied "Jerk beats people up, gets service-industry job, learns nothing"?

Drownball-Champ

08-13-2010, 03:33 PM

Just saw the movie. It was awesome. I think Cera pulled off Scott perfectly. And Culkin was a great Wallace. I'm sure later I'll be able to think of some faults but right now my brain is filled with awesome.

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 08:51 PM

I think Cera pulled off Scott perfectly. And Culkin was a great Wallace.
I feel like these two are getting a majority of the talk for their performances, while the amazing performances of all of the exes (and, really, everyone else, but the exes for this post) are getting relatively less shrift. Specifically, I propose we all just agree to give Brandon Routh a bye for Superman Returns, as long as he can stick to playing hammy villains.

Magus

08-13-2010, 10:43 PM

I read the books yesterday, then I saw the movie today, I thought the ending of the movie kind of muddled whatever the thing of the books were, since in the book Ramon didn't go back to Gideon, but anyway, both the books and the movie were pretty hilarious and while the absence of Knives Chau's dad and some of the other little things that were cut out in favor of time are annoying I can still say I really enjoyed this movie and thought it was great and so on, though I think they went for more of a "video game/comic book" parody than the original comic book's "video game/manga" parody, but that would make sense given the lack of manga-like artwork in a live-action film, etc.

Also Brandon Routh was in this? Was he Lucas Lee or Todd Whatshisname or Gideon? I can't even remember. If he was Gideon it'd be understandable I didn't recognize him.

EDIT: Also Cera didn't bother me in this movie, for some reason. I didn't like his last movie (Superbad?), but somehow or other he seemed to fit this role, which I actually thought he wouldn't after reading the book but it seemed to work out perfectly somehow or other.

EDIT: Also there was this trailer for this movie by AND starring M. Night Shymalayn on before the movie started that takes place entirely in a demon-possessed elevator or something, so I got some laughs even before the movie started!

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 11:09 PM

I read the books yesterday, then I saw the movie today, I thought the ending of the movie kind of muddled whatever the thing of the books were
Something I read in a review kind of gave me a mission to attempt the next time I see it: The movie's message is much more focused on Scott working through his own personal issues, rather than the more dual-sided relationship matters the books work through. I sort of like this interpretation, mostly because it shifts focus from the sort of weaker relationship moments and helps the Self Respect Sword be a little less jarring, for me personally.

Also Brandon Routh was in this?
He was Todd Ingram, #3. I was literally wishing his attempt at the 'maid will clean you up' threat would go on for the rest of the movie.
Also there was this trailer for this movie by AND starring M. Night Shymalayn on before the movie started that takes place entirely in a demon-possessed elevator or something, so I got some laughs even before the movie started!
I think M. Night is just (heh, JUST) writing/producing, he isn't one of the five people in the elevator. Although I've already figured out the big twist: The awkward looking white guy in the elevator is married to Christina Hendricks.

Magus

08-13-2010, 11:23 PM

Oh, I saw some guy who looked like he might be Indian get in the elevator, I've heard Shymalayn starred in one of his other ones I luckily managed to skip (I THINK it's the only one I haven't seen, Lady in the Water), tried to put two and two together and thought he was starring in this one, too.

Also, yeah, Ramona didn't seem to have to work through some of her issues like in the books, although the books also took place over a year or more whereas the movie is two hours long, obviously it's only going to manage to get the protagonist's epiphany in for the most part.

Lumenskir

08-13-2010, 11:41 PM

Also, yeah, Ramona didn't seem to have to work through some of her issues like in the books, although the books also took place over a year or more whereas the movie is two hours long, obviously it's only going to manage to get the protagonist's epiphany in for the most part.
Yeah, I think I'm going to attribute like 85% of my meager disappointment to being in a state of mind the movie's framework wasn't really exploring.

Also, for those wanting to get the full experience of the soundtrack, they're streaming it for free now (http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/1). Included are all the Beck-penned, Sex Bob-Omb performed songs, as well as the full version of Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl as opposed to the blue-balls inducing quasi-snippet actually used in the movie.

katiuska

08-13-2010, 11:45 PM

EDIT: Also there was this trailer for this movie by AND starring M. Night Shymalayn on before the movie started that takes place entirely in a demon-possessed elevator or something, so I got some laughs even before the movie started!

I liked how everyone in the theater laughed as soon as they saw the words "a new nightmare by M. Night Shyamalan," because any movie by M. Night Shyamalan is indeed a nightmare.

Magus

08-13-2010, 11:52 PM

Yeah, what with the movie probably being mostly inspired by that recent news story about the guy being stuck in the elevator for three days, and probably being better off being called "Elevator to Hell!" than "Devil", I don't see it being a staggering success, but enough Shyamalayn fans will like it to make it a profit, probably.

The Scott Pilgrim soundtrack probably is pretty funny if it includes the actual Garbage Truck song or whatever, I'll have to have a listen.

Arcanum

08-14-2010, 12:52 AM

Just got back from the movie. Loved it. I used to hate Michael Cera, but he did a great job as Scott Pilgrim, and he's redeemed himself slightly because of that. Now it's just a matter of convincing the rest of my friends that the movie doesn't suck in the slightest, and get them to go see it.

And yeah, I saw the preview for the M. Night Shamwow movie too. The best part was that everyone in the theater was basically saying "what the hell is this??" and then when Shamwow's name popped up on the screen everyone let out a resounding "Ohhhhhh." Whoever keeps giving M. Night money/jobs needs to stop.

Azisien

08-14-2010, 01:48 AM

It was pretty good.

Like the comics, the start through middle were extremely hilarious, but it petered off b y the end.

So basically, it's a great adaptation. I preferred Kick-Ass as a comic book turned movie, but then I'm really not disappointed in this. Both will probably be blu-rays on my shelf in the (not too distant) future.

Lumenskir

08-14-2010, 09:11 AM

The Scott Pilgrim soundtrack probably is pretty funny if it includes the actual Garbage Truck song or whatever, I'll have to have a listen.
Good news, everyone. It does!
I preferred Kick-Ass as a comic book turned movie, but then I'm really not disappointed in this.
I haven't read the Kick-Ass comic book, but the movie was just way too tonally inconsistent to do anything for me. Actually, I think the bigger reason is the fact that I have some sort of anti-Hit-Girl-glamour eyes going and the movie's only real attempt at eliciting the wow reflex was to throw more Hit-Girl at it.

Compare that to SP where you're sort of permanently stuck in the wow reflex throughout by the editing and fights and jokes and whatnot. It's a little breathless, but worth it.

Token

08-14-2010, 11:01 AM

Fuck every other song on the soundtrack, "I'm So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad" and "We Hate You Please Die" are on this shit. Now I have no choice but to see this movie as quickly as possible.

Azisien

08-14-2010, 11:26 AM

Compare that to SP where you're sort of permanently stuck in the wow reflex throughout by the editing and fights and jokes and whatnot. It's a little breathless, but worth it.

Well, wowed until about the Twins, which is right around when the comics started getting weak too. Unfortunately the shaky ending weakens the whole thing a little bit, and I would have liked Scott Pilgrim waaaaaaay more above most anything else if it had been what it was in the first hour, for the whole thing.

I had my fingers crossed from square one that the guy behind Hot Fuzz could pull together something better than O'Malley could, but aside from the Nega Scott thing, he couldn't really.

Lumenskir

08-14-2010, 11:49 AM

Fuck every other song on the soundtrack, "I'm So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad" and "We Hate You Please Die" are on this shit.
While I have to give a majority of the credit to Broken Social Scene for writing the actual music(and here's a very short interview (http://pitchfork.com/news/39313-broken-social-scenes-brendan-canning-talks-iscott-pilgrimi-soundtrack/) where Brendan Canning of BSS talks about the influences for the songs), the actor who sang them just absolutely killed his three lines. His delivery of "This next song is called We Hate You Please Die." instantly rocketed its way into Never-Not-Funny territory for me.

Jagos

08-14-2010, 09:50 PM

Just saw this... Holy crap. All kinds of Awesome!

I've been liking Cera for Zombieland but damn... Scott seriously did a great job in SP.

Arcanum

08-14-2010, 10:41 PM

I've been liking Cera for Zombieland but damn... Scott seriously did a great job in SP.

Uhhh.... what?

Magus

08-14-2010, 10:52 PM

Don't worry, there's a long-standing tradition of mistaking the curly-haired awkward teen guy in Zombieland for Michale Cera, who is also a curly-haired awkward teen guy. However, it was an entirely different curly-haired awkward teen guy.

Kim

08-14-2010, 11:05 PM

I submit that the kid in Zombieland is actually Michael Cera in disguise.

Arcanum

08-15-2010, 01:27 AM

I liked the guy in Zombieland better than I liked Michael Cera, before Scott Pilgrim that is. Cera has definitely earned some respect. Also, the movie's soundtrack is awesome. Though mostly thanks to Garbage Truck, Black Sheep, and So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad.

RickZarber

08-15-2010, 01:59 AM

Was gonna wait for my roommate to come back into town, but I caved and saw it tonight. No regrets.

I'm a little scared of the eventual home video release, though. I'm going to have to fight the impulse to do a frame-by-frame...

EDIT: Also, I think I have a crush on Alison Pill now.

DarkDrgon

08-15-2010, 02:00 AM

i liked it. I would have liked it better with someone else in the lead role, but no one jumps to mind for it. I just don't like Cera.

Jagos

08-15-2010, 02:21 AM

Why? I can't understand the hate for the guy...

I think I've seen at least three of his films and usually he has a pretty good defined role of nerdy outcast.

-Edit- I just thought about it...

Scott's sister has some real issues...

Kim

08-15-2010, 11:19 AM

People don't like Cera because he always plays the same role. He always plays the same role because he's always cast into that role by the people who hire him, as he does it very well, but fuck that we gotta hate on him because the internet is built on hate.

DarkDrgon

08-15-2010, 11:45 AM

I don't think he does the awkward outcast thing well at all. All the times I've seen him, he's acted so awkward that it stops the flow of the movie so that we can watch him mumble, and it bugs me

Lumenskir

08-15-2010, 11:54 AM

Scott's sister has some real issues...
Now what problem could you possibly have with Anna Kendrick? I mean, besides the fact that she's dating Edgar Wright and is therefore unavailable.
but fuck that we gotta hate on him because the internet is built on hate people who haven't watched Arrested Development.
FTFY

Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope

08-15-2010, 12:25 PM

Now what problem could you possibly have with Anna Kendrick? I mean, besides the fact that she's dating Edgar Wright and is therefore unavailable.

FTFY

I tried watching Arrested Development. I tried watching the first season (my brother owns the DVD's) and I hated it. I hated it so so much.

Darth SS

08-15-2010, 12:58 PM

I tried watching Arrested Development. I tried watching the first season (my brother owns the DVD's) and I hated it. I hated it so so much.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/12/2010/08/0af9c1d5691f6f72984cca84fec152df/original.jpeg

But seriously, would you guys think this would be a good "date movie?"

Also, I've only read the first Scott Pilgrim, is this just going to wreck the rest of them for me?

Lumenskir

08-15-2010, 01:18 PM

Already taken care of SS. (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=38544)

As for the date movie bona fides, I'd give you the thumbs up to go, at least based on the girls that I saw it with. The fights are more kinetic-based than BAYPLOSION-based, and the humor is unisex.

As for cross-medium spoilage, I wouldn't worry about it. The movie is like an extremely hyper Cliff Notes that doesn't touch on some of the best parts of the book.

Krylo

08-15-2010, 01:25 PM

On date movie, I'd say it depends on how nerdy your date is. I've heard from 'normies' that the heavy references make the movie feel 'weird' to them and unenjoyable.

Basically, if the girl you're talking about is more likely to squee at the LoZ fanfare springing up shortly after a pixilized Universal Logo than be either confused or apathetic toward it, you're good to go. Otherwise, you're probably better finding something else.

ALSO: I kinda liked the end guys, I don't know. I guess it was a little slower paced than the rest but I liked the way Scott basically played his second life in exactly the same way I tend to in video games, and Death to All Hipsters was one of my favorite musical spots in the movie. Not to mention the Ninja Game ownage of Gideon. I guess I just didn't really see it as a weak point.

Not particularly my favorite which would have been every single time Lucas Lee was on screen, but up there.

Wallace Wells was also way way up there as far as 'best things about this movie' goes.

Lumenskir

08-15-2010, 01:37 PM

On date movie, I'd say it depends on how nerdy your date is. I've heard from 'normies' that the heavy references make the movie feel 'weird' to them and unenjoyable.
I dunno, there are a lot of references, but they function more like in-jokes/background Easter Eggs than Family Guy-esque showstoppers that exist solely to point out the reference.

I mean, one of the girls I went with came along solely because she liked the soundtrack and had fond memories of Shaun of the Dead. She might not have realized that Ramona's bag functioned as a Bag of Holding, but she still got to see a hammer v. whip sword fight.

Doc ock rokc

08-15-2010, 01:38 PM

I loved the movie but im alittle depressed at what they cut out...Oh well beggars can't be choosers.

the Shoelace thing and Nega Scott made me laugh so hard

Jagos

08-15-2010, 03:38 PM

Now what problem could you possibly have with Anna Kendrick? I mean, besides the fact that she's dating Edgar Wright and is therefore unavailable.

She always picks up the gay guys. Her radar's broken.

Lumenskir

08-15-2010, 03:41 PM

See, I'm perfectly comfortable attributing that to how awesome Wallace Wells is.

Azisien

08-15-2010, 03:49 PM

Not particularly my favorite which would have been every single time Lucas Lee was on screen, but up there.

The *text* Haha...that's actually hilarious bit almost made me snort iced tea up my nose. I agree with this sentiment.

TheBlindMime

08-15-2010, 05:17 PM

I think this is my new favorite movie. I agree with krylo on everything but Lucas lee, Gideon was the best.

My girlfriend (who is not super nerdy) loved it, she said she wanted to see it again in theaters as the credits started rolling. Definitely play this as a date movie by ear, it depends on who you're taking and how much they want to see *gag* Eat Pray Love.

Drownball-Champ

08-15-2010, 05:55 PM

I think this is my new favorite movie.

Mine too. Can't wait for its DVD/Bluray release. The only part of the movie that really disappointed me was the lack of robots. Other than that absolutely everyone in the movie was great. And I've come to the conclusion that Mary Elizabeth Winstead should keep her hair short and dye it either blue, pink, or green.

Lumenskir

08-15-2010, 09:51 PM

The only part of the movie that really disappointed me was the lack of robots.
I'm going to be honest. The only possible thing better than that wall of amps would have been that wall of amps becoming a giant robot made out of amps. #OnlyInMyDreamsSigh

Magus

08-15-2010, 10:06 PM

The final fight was only worse than the comic because it seemed to go back and forth way too much, AND in the comic Gideon was finished off by Scott and Ramona doing a Chrono Trigger-esque X-Strike combo move. However since the final book came out, what, a week before the movie actually came out in theaters I'm pretty sure O'Malley probably just gave them notes on what he was probably going to do or whatever way back when they filmed it, so it being as close as it was is nothing short of miraculous and it was pretty great anyway.

Jagos

08-16-2010, 05:14 AM

Actually, he told the press that he was writing the sixth book as the movie was coming out. So they made their own final ending. Which works pretty damn well considering that O'Malley trusted them enough to do it...

Donomni

08-16-2010, 01:49 PM

This movie was fan-fucking-tastic. It's like a dream for every "raised-in-the-90s" kid.

Sadly, it looks like the first weekend only brought in 1/6th of what it took to make it. (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Weekend-Box-Office-Men-Dominate-Box-Office-Battle-of-the-Sexes-20166.html)

Here's hoping DVD/Blu-Ray sales make up for it.

Also, one of the best scenes in the movie was the one where Scott was sadly unavailable due to leaping through a window.

Drownball-Champ

08-16-2010, 01:53 PM

Yumil

08-16-2010, 06:50 PM

I figure the box office sales on SP might go up this week. Considering how bad the advertisements were, word of mouth might do it much better. Plus it was up against the "ultimate" horrible stallone movie filled with cameos and that one chick flick all the women I know want to see>.<

Just gotta give it time, not everything has to be a first weekend hit to do well overall.

Lumenskir

08-16-2010, 09:33 PM

So they made their own final ending. Which works pretty damn well considering that O'Malley trusted them enough to do it...
Interviews I've read with a bunch of people associated with the script seem to imply that there was a lot of back and forth going on between O'Malley and Wright even throughout the sixth book's writing (or at least up until the final draft of the screenplay had to be turned in). Jason Schwartzman (Gideon) implied that O'Malley told him about basing comic Gideon off of his performance, but it's also Jason Schwartzman so take it as you will.
Just gotta give it time, not everything has to be a first weekend hit to do well overall.
In the Best of all Possible Universes, maybe. In ours, not so much. It's not like the studio is going to lose any money, and it doesn't diminish the quality of the movie or the cult following it'll inevitably end up amassing, but it might be harder in the future for similar concepts to be greenlit. But that's for future audiences to worry about.

EDIT: Also, there are rumors that Wright was apparently thinking about turning down some bigger movies to focus on a SPVTW sequel that probably won't exist now. Nobody knows what exactly the sequel would contain, however...

Donomni

08-16-2010, 11:28 PM

Obviously it would include Scott's Society of Just Ex-Girlfriends. :crossarms:

"So you're just his exes?"

"No, dammit! We are just, we are good, we are righteous!"

"Why didn't you just use good, then?"

"...because we didn't!"

Darth SS

08-17-2010, 09:19 AM

So I saw this last night.

It was amazing.

Is it just me or did the end of the movie seemed really rushed? And that last fight a bit long-winded?

Jagos

08-17-2010, 10:59 AM

The last fight was a boss battle. When are those not longer or overplayed?

Darth SS

08-17-2010, 12:41 PM

The last fight was a boss battle. When are those not longer or overplayed?

I don't see why the movie had to conform to all of the rules that apply to video games. Making the fight shorter and giving more attention to the end would have been cool.

Also the vibe I'm getting here is that the movie ending is not the comics ending. Correct?

Dammit, now I need to go spend my tuition moneyz on comics again...

Drownball-Champ

08-17-2010, 01:09 PM

I don't see why the movie had to conform to all of the rules that apply to video games. Making the fight shorter and giving more attention to the end would have been cool.

Also the vibe I'm getting here is that the movie ending is not the comics ending. Correct?

Dammit, now I need to go spend my tuition moneyz on comics again...

Correct. Comics are a little different.

I liked the last fight, but I think they could've added another 30-ish minutes to the movie for a better wrap up.

Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope

08-18-2010, 01:06 PM

I have been broken down. I may see this movie.

Yrcrazypa

08-18-2010, 10:02 PM

I just got back from seeing it, and I really enjoyed it. I can't really point out what I thought was the best part, since really, I thought the whole thing was really awesome.

Lumenskir

08-18-2010, 10:53 PM

Finally found another person who hadn't seen it yet to go a second time. He had no knowledge of the film beyond some vagaries of the soundtrack, and he came out hating it. (This was expected, as he also hated Kung Fu Hustle (which I think is about the closest point of comparison for this movie, although still a ways off tone wise) but I just omitted the parts I knew he would hate to get him to go see.)

I gotta say, I was slightly worried about it holding up to repeat viewings (like my seeing it at midnight and being excited for it already was coloring my judgement), but it actually got a little bit better, mostly because I approached it a different way and looked for the other Easter Eggs I missed.

Now, it's not quite as dramatic a change as viewing Starship Troopers as a stupid war film v. a brilliant fascist-satire, but Scott Pilgrim is a bit more interesting if you accept that the sketchily drawn relationship part is really just a facet of the Scott-centric self-growth arc. The fights are still great, but they make more dramatic sense as Scott realizing that fighting for a mysterious girl is less satisfying than fighting for personal reasons. It also makes his mini-depression during Roxy and the beginning of the Twins seem slightly less assholish. (And I might be overthinking this part a bit much, but it also makes his choice at the end a little more deep. He's finally got the self respect to realize he doesn't need the constant and unearned adulation Knives would lavish on him, and that trying to forge something with Ramona would be more rewarding, but I dunno, I'm a little punch drunk from trying to keep track of every graphic that popped up in the last fight.)

Things I noticed second time around:
-Lucas's filmography titles. I especially liked Action Doctor.
-Roxy calling Ramona a hasbian just created a new entry in my personal dictionary.
-Although Comeau's "comic was better" bit was funny, I really like imagining the band who's "First album was better than their first album."

Archbio

08-18-2010, 10:58 PM

He had no knowledge of the film beyond some vagaries of the soundtrack, and he came out hating it. (This was expected, as he also hated Kung Fu Hustle (which I think is about the closest point of comparison for this movie, although still a ways off tone wise) but I just omitted the parts I knew he would hate to get him to go see.

And suddenly, your avatar makes sense.

Lumenskir

08-18-2010, 11:08 PM

To be fair, our crowd made it really hard to enjoy the movie for someone entering it cold. The guys immediately in front of us made a habit of throwing up their hands (in triumph?) at the major points, like a guy exploding into coins or a videogame reference. Even as I enjoyed the movie I wanted to kick their chairs and tell them they missed the Comic-Con screening and were out among regular civilization.

Fifthfiend

08-18-2010, 11:15 PM

On a side note I want to kick your chair every time I see your avatar.

When I get home, totally doing a Greasemonkey script to block that thing.

Drownball-Champ

08-19-2010, 10:44 AM

Krylo

08-19-2010, 11:01 AM

-Lucas's filmography titles. I especially liked Action Doctor.

You can see the posters here (http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=28575) in all their glory.

I'm not ashamed to say I would pay to see 4/5 as actual movies.

Lumenskir

08-19-2010, 11:14 AM

The good news is...you are going to live.

The bad news is he is going to kill you.

EDIT: I would like The Game is Over 2 a lot more if it's tagline didn't pale in comparison to Scorcher 6's take on repeated sequelitis.

Drownball-Champ

08-19-2010, 12:25 PM

"The first click you hear will be me hanging up. The next will be me pulling the trigger."
One of my favorite things that Lucas Lee says.

Also, those are awesome. I'd probably go see most of those if they were real movies.

Jagos

08-19-2010, 12:29 PM

Is it just me or does Scott seem to pale in comparison to the boyfriends now that the movie's out?

Drownball-Champ

08-19-2010, 01:14 PM

Is it just me or does Scott seem to pale in comparison to the boyfriends now that the movie's out?

I agree when it comes to the first 3, and possible Gideon. But Roxie and the twins aren't better than Scott.

Jagos

08-19-2010, 02:51 PM

The comic did better for Roxie. The twins seem to always get the short end of the stick. It's kinda like they were rushed just to make it into the league with nothing to take from them.

Roxie actually made Scott mature.

Shyria Dracnoir

08-22-2010, 12:39 AM

Did you notice that a number is in the scene for each ex? I didn't see them myself but a few people on GameFAQs pointed them out. Person couldn't find the 5 and 6 for the Twins or 7 for Gideon though.

The twins get theirs when they pump their amps up to 11 (5th exe + 6 exe =11). And the score for killing Gideon ends up being like 7 billion or so

RickZarber

08-22-2010, 01:01 AM

How could they not find the 7? It's the level number! It even appears twice.

Saw the movie a third time today with new people. (The best way to keep it enjoyable.) I love experiencing this movie with the right kind of audience, which we had tonight. I thought #3 would burn me out, but I feel like I could see it again (though I probably won't).

Anyways, keep going, people! Don't let it bomb!

Fifthfiend

08-22-2010, 05:53 AM

People don't like because he always plays the same role. He always plays the same role because he's always cast into that role by the people who hire him, as he does it very well, but fuck that we gotta hate on him because the internet is built on hate.

Excellent parody post of fallacious arguers and the arguments they make.

EDIT: Next you should do one about how people who criticize Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden just don't get parody.

Drownball-Champ

08-22-2010, 07:34 PM

Jagos

08-28-2010, 08:43 AM

Except Balls, I think

Now can someone explain why the movie is out but the damn DVD isn't out until two months later?!

The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk

08-28-2010, 09:46 AM

Because dvds don't get released right away after a new movie is released. I thought that was obvious.

OT; Saw this yesterday. Epic film was epic. 'Nuff said.

Magus

08-28-2010, 10:48 PM

More like six months later for DVDs (well, four months). Although the way this bombed financially hopefully we'll get the DVD by Thanksgiving instead of Christmas?

Jagos

08-29-2010, 12:14 AM

It comes out Oct. 27th. I know I'm seeing it again though. That's a definite fact.

G.I.R.

08-29-2010, 12:42 AM

I just keep taking my friends to see it. Been 4 times now. Love this movie so much I don't mind giving my money to it. And I'll definitely be buying it on DVD when it comes out. Almost saw it again tonight too. The humor and fights never get old. :dance:

Magus

08-29-2010, 01:10 AM

I have to admit this is one of the few movies I've even thought about seeing twice in theaters.

Toastburner B

09-01-2010, 07:32 PM

I decided to go see this in the theater today (I know that doesn't sound like that big of deal, but the last movie I saw in a theater was Iron Man...the first one). I wasn't sure what to expect (I have basically no knowledge of the graphic novels), but I was encouraged by the fact it had gotten good buzz (including from one of my sisters, who I was surprised to find she liked this movie), and figured it would be the kind of movie that would be better to see in a theater.

That said, I enjoyed it. I now understand why people are getting so put out by the fact that this movie has already been knocked out of the top ten/getting pulled by some theaters. Here's hoping for cult-classic status DVD sales.

Seil

09-01-2010, 07:40 PM

I don't much like the Phillip whatever show, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWv5Whi3qlM) but I clicked the link solely for the bit that said "Christina Hendricks' Bra Wins Best Support" at the emmys. Anyways, I like what he says about the Pilgrim flick, that

"...Meanwhile films like Inception and Scott Pilgrim didn't do that well. Pilgrim is an awesome film that totally encapsulates the audience which it was meant for. Too bad that today's audience doesn't pay for shit."

Or something like that.

Magus

09-02-2010, 01:57 AM

Inception didn't do well?

Toastburner B

09-02-2010, 02:01 AM

Inception didn't do well?

Yeah, I was wondering about that myself.

According to this (http://www.screened.com/inception/16-188899/) Inception has earned almost $500,000,000. If that info is correct, it has paid for itself 3 times over.

Seil

09-02-2010, 02:09 AM

I was at the library, and misremembered. Must've had Inception on the brain. Now I can actually listen to the video, and the actual quote is:

In movie news, "The Last Exorcism," which of course cost $1.8 million to make, made $21 million dollars, Crushing the box office... Which isn't hard when the only other movie had Chris Brown in it. Yeah. And the dude that ruined Star Wars. And a lot of people are really just surprised that this movie did that well, and it'll be interesting to see what kind of movies come out of this, because obviously there's gonna be a sequel. When you make ten times the budget, they usually want you to do it again, please. But there have been more and more movies that didn't cost a ton of money to make that do very well.

"The Last Exorcsim" got, like, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, cost $1.8 million dollars, and it's bankin'. Then, of course, you have the other end: you have "Kick-Ass," you have "Scott Pilgrim." Movies made for the current generation that are amazing, and then do terrible at the box office - which might tell you that you're making movies for the wrong audience. Scott Pilgrim should almost be a defining moment in cinema. It's a movie that perfectly describes the audience it's meant for! The only problem is the audience it's meant for doesn't pay for shit, so you're kinda fucked.

Kyanbu The Legend

09-02-2010, 02:14 AM

Yup, sad but true. When you market to pirates this kind of thing happens. Which is sad because it's a great movie that deserves it.

I bet the sales on the DVDs will be terrible too.

Magus

09-02-2010, 02:33 AM

'Cause all gamers/comic book/anime fans enjoy watching shitty pirated theater bootleg footage. Please. I can see pirating the DVD rip, but pretending that a movie's theater-showing does badly because of bootlegs is silly. It was more likely poor advertising that did it in, and opening the same week as The Expendables, which turned out to be pretty horrible but apparently everyone in the universe thought it was going to be a good idea, including me (to an extent).

Like, The American with George Clooney has actually come out on a Wednesday. I have no idea why but it must have something to do with whatever's coming out this Friday, like Machete and some other stuff. It's attempting to make money by coming out at a different time, though one would think Labor Day would make the most sense or something...

Jagos

09-02-2010, 07:30 AM

Yeah, it really wasn't marketed as a romantic comedy. That may have helped it a lot more.

And let's face it, how many girls would see this movie over Eat Pray Love?

How many guys would watch this over Expendables? It's not piracy, just shitty timing.

Shyria Dracnoir

09-04-2010, 07:05 PM

And let's face it, how many girls would see this movie over Eat Pray Love?
How many guys would watch this over Expendables?

*Raises hand as a female who saw Scott Pilgrim twice in the theaters and dragged Thadius along both times*

BloodyMage

09-04-2010, 07:14 PM

To further that point, My girlfriend went to see both Scott Pilgrim and Expendables and hasn't seen Eat Pray Love.

Nique

09-05-2010, 09:18 PM

Scott Pilgrim was utterly fantastic. The only thing that bothered me was the gay roommate who would have been fine otherwise if not portrayed as a boyfriend stealing man-whore which I'm sure is exactly[/sarsam] how the gay community wants to be seen.

Jagos

09-05-2010, 10:22 PM

Uhm... Wallace damn near steals scenes dude...

Proof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8YYvZJBd1M)

Nique

09-06-2010, 02:52 AM

No no! Like, most all of the writing for Wallace was golden! It was all the extra kinky stuff he did out of the blue that was somewhat undermining the otherwise awesome portrayal of a weird gay roommate.

Jagos

09-06-2010, 07:03 AM

I don't believe you can take away from Wallace. 1) He's helping out Scott a LOT. 2) He gives advice as the mature one. 3) This is a gay guy that's friends with a straight dude. How many times do you really see that + the gay man having a healthy sex life?

Nique

09-06-2010, 09:14 AM

This is quickly turning into a topic for another thread but I'm not disagreeing that the character was mostly good... It's just that I'm 100% sure that playing into gay stereotypes like being promiscuous added nothing beneficial as it would have worked much better to have the character being in a single healthy relationship (unlike Scott who was apparently breaking hearts left and right). His position as mature advice giver might have carried more weight then.

Kim

09-06-2010, 10:13 AM

My main problem with what you're saying is that you're looking at being promiscuous as being an inherently negative thing, and so Wallace not looking for long term relationships is similarly bad from your perspective. He differs from Scott in that Scott forms relationships, and then just breaks their heart. Wallace doesn't seem to make any commitment like that.

Nique

09-06-2010, 04:35 PM

My main problem with what you're saying is that you're looking at being promiscuous as being an inherently negative thing

I'm pretty sure Scott outright calls him a hypocrite at some point and I would say stealing boyfriends is a negative thing. In any case, a positive or neutral stereotype is still a stereotype.

Karrrrrrrrrrrresche

09-06-2010, 05:07 PM

I'm pretty sure Scott outright calls him a hypocrite at some point and I would say stealing boyfriends is a negative thing. In any case, a positive or neutral stereotype is still a stereotype.

Eh, it didn't really stand out as trying to force a stereotype to me. Just part of his character.

Besides which, calling hypocrisy seemed sorta bullshitty since most of what Wallace tries to tell Scott is more based around Scott being miserable with the way things are, rather than because he specifically had a problem with the way Scott handled his relationships.