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There was some point where Matthew Essner said that he was glad Scott Pilgrim was almost out, because it had seemed like the entire summer was building to it, and it was about damn time.

Well, now I’ve seen it. It’s been a summer of anticipation, and the film had a lot to live up to.

I think it completely lived up to it.

The movie changes many things about the plot of the comics, but almost all for the better. It streamlines the events to happen in a length of time that make sense with the whole movie covering the entire plot, as well as changing many of the battles in ways that just make more sense and tie all the events together. For example, many more of the fights are tied into the Battle of the Bands that Sex Bomb-omb is a part of.

The result of this is what people I’ve seen initially talking about the film call “removing the emotional core.” I kind of agree and kind of don’t. It’s true most of the relationships in the film are much, much shallower, and people only exist for their completely awesome jokes. For example, fan-favorite Kim Pine really doesn’t have a very big role in the movie besides throwing out some awesome lines. Scott and Ramona don’t so much have a romance as a meeting one night followed by some fights with some exes. The emotional content was one of the key parts of what made the comics something I stood up and took notice of, so it is kind of sad.
At the same time, Edgar Wright made exactly the right choice here. There was no way he could give these people enough backstory to make them deep characters in one film, and still put in all the key points of the story that people would come to see on the big screen, namely the fights. He decided to play up the comedy and action of the series, bring that completely to the front, and let it run wild, and it completely works. We root for Scott on a different level, one where he’s funny, and sometimes badass, and less because he’s the lovable loser of the comics.
Still, I don’t think it’s completely devoid of the emotion people claim it’s missing. Movie Scott is different from Comic Scott. The big lesson he learns at the end is to respect himself, and be motivated by himself. He’s fighting, in the end, because he wants Ramona, not because of “destiny” or “true love.” It’s selfish, sort of, but also completely realistic. It’s also not romanticized. When he leaves with Ramona at the end, it’s not for them to live happily every after, it’s because Scott wants to be with Ramona, so he’s going to try again. There’s no promise it’s going to work out. I’d actually probably bet it wouldn’t. But he wants to try again, and he does, because if he doesn’t he won’t forgive himself. That’s a realistic motivation. That’s a real character, to some extent.

Anyway, the movie is fantastic, end of story. You should see it. I’m probably going to see it again today, after I finish writing this bloeg. It is great, great stuff, and I can’t wait to buy it on Blu-Ray and play the vidjeo game and all that stuff. Scott Pilgrim, man. Scott Pilgrim.