What is Scott Pilgrim?

[Mr. Krystal]

That's kind of cool, but I wouldn't say funny. to me, it's kind of like this.

I liked that video, but it's not a comedy, nor really an action. More of a suspense/horror.

As I already said,  Scott Pilgrim is the ONLY example in the world of its type. The example is Scott Pilgrim.

[Samantha Weltzin]

I just watched the movie yesterday, and I'll say this: Scott Pilgrim isn't just a movie with video game references. Sure, there are Zelda sound effects and Clash at Demonhead is referenced in the form of a popular band, but for the most part the movie creates its own material. That is one thing that separates it from those "Scary Movie" pieces of crap so far as references go, and it's a more specific explanation of the "execution is everything" statement brought up earlier in this topic. So far as I know, there is no game (Maybe GTA?) with a "Pee Meter," for instance, and most of the references are actually to video game tropes rather than to any specific games.

For instance: People bursting into coins when beaten, replaying cutscenes on a retry, enemies standing there while their backstories are being exposited. Stuff like that.

The humor is its own beast as well. Any references used are mostly supplemental to the main punchlines, and not the punchlines themselves (again: A difference from the _____ Movie franchise). An example of some of this movie's humor is the line "Vegans are just better than everyone else," which is actually backed up in the movie's reality by giving a Vegan guy psychic powers. Of course, this is a bit of commentary on that inherent smugness that Vegans stereotypically tend to show.

Now, touching on the "love story" aspect, it is somewhat corny, but it's a bit more than that. I don't think the audience is -meant- to approve of certain spoiler-related outcomes and scenarios, as I think this is more about "stupid young love" than "true love." It is not a perfect, ideal situation with only a few hiccups, but such a situation is a lot truer to life than just about every romantic movie in existence. The main character is young and stupid, and the girl he is going after is, frankly, a bitch, but both of them grow and learn things during the course of the movie, and -that- is what the romance is about: Maturing and finding yourself. At least, that's what I gleaned from it, but the movie practically beats that message into your head so I don't think I'm overanalyzing.

All this said, the movie is very niche-oriented. The Cinema Snob has a very good review from the point of view of a guy who just doesn't "get it."

And to answer your question, Sabre, about video game references: Some are retro, but most are modern. They have very clear Guitar Hero influences, and there's a wonderful parody of DDR involved. The fight scenes, while varied as can be, all start and end with a very Tekken-esque or Street Fighter IV format for the "VS" and "KO" messages. You won't find much FPS referencing here (maybe a little, but I wasn't looking for it), which you seem to care about more than anything, but yes. It's contemporary and not a nostalgia trip. The older references are mostly just subtle gimmicks fitting the situations at-hand (The Zelda "You found a secret entrance" jingle playing when there's a revelation about a girl, for instance).

There we go. I wrote a lot and I hope this gives you a good idea of what the movie's like without spoiling too much. You really do have to experience it, but this should give you an idea of whether it's worth the experiment or not.

[Sabre]

Currently Im leaning towards the no, despite praise. The reason being, both here and in RL, people go "It's cool cos-" and then list a bunch of things I don't like.

I played the game, and it's 'references' are basicly 'rip off river city ransom and change just enough that we dont get sued. Add mario stuff'.

[Samantha Weltzin]

Currently Im leaning towards the no, despite praise. The reason being, both here and in RL, people go "It's cool cos-" and then list a bunch of things I don't like.

I played the game, and it's 'references' are basicly 'rip off river city ransom and change just enough that we dont get sued. Add mario stuff'.

And that's fine. It's why I gave you an honest assessment with specific examples. Scott Pilgrim really isn't meant for everybody, which is why it's so charming to those it -is- meant for.

Of course, people who are infatuated with something tend to get defensive when someone says he isn't into the same thing, so you're going to hear a lot of people who will hate you for disliking this title. Just know that I'm not one of them. I don't like RTS games, but I respect those who do, so I won't get defensive when someone else says he doesn't like Scott Pilgrim. Same principle.