Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4½ Stars)

Rather than review the film (which I've done in the past), I'll write about a strange experience that I had with the Blu-ray disc today. As I've pointed out in previous reviews, I find the film's alternate ending much better. It's not really an alternate ending, it was the original ending. It was (supposedly) badly received at test screenings, so it was refilmed.

I need to explain. The film begins with Scott dating a Chinese schoolgirl called Knives Chau. He dumps her when he meets a girl called Ramona Flowers. To be with Ramona he needs to defeat her seven ex-lovers in battle. Knives still has feelings for Scott, so she assists him in his fights.

Now to the endings. In the original ending Ramona tells Scott that Knives is better for him, so Scott returns to her. In the ending used in the film, Knives accepts that Ramona is better for him, and he walks off with Ramona.

I can see the point. The test audience was confused by Scott fighting for a girl, then deciding he didn't want her. I see it differently. Knives was perfect for Scott from the beginning, and she loved him so selflessly that she even helped him get his new girlfriend.

I own video editing software, so after watching the film I wanted to put the old ending back into the film. I never want to watch the new ending again. But then something weird happened. The alternate ending isn't on the Blu-ray. It's a film that I originally bought on DVD, so I compared the two discs. The alternate ending is listed as an extra on the DVD, but not on the Blu-ray.

But that's not the end of the story. I analysed the Blu-ray on my computer, and I found the alternate ending. It's on the disc, but there's no link to it. It's a mastering error. So I can create a personal version with the original ending after all.

Or maybe it's an Easter Egg? Some Blu-ray discs have hidden menus that can only be accessed by clicking on invisible buttons. I have a British Blu-ray. Is the American version also missing the alternate ending? I'm curious.

Success Rate:  - 1.8

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Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4½ Stars)

I can't believe this film was a box office flop. What's wrong with people? It's brilliant! It's a classic. It deserves to have been one of the biggest hits of 2010. Okay, I haven't given it a full five star rating. I have a reason for deducting half a star that I won't mention here. All I'll say is that it's been six years since I last watched it, and that's too long. Sometimes I realise with horror how long it's been since I watched a truly great film, and I compare it with all the average quality films that I've watched in the meantime. What a waste of my short, short life!

I don't know much about Canadian culture, so I have a question. Is it really so horrific that a 22-year-old man should date a 17-year-old girl? When I was 22 I was dating older girls, but I might have dated a 17-year-old, if I'd met the right person. I know that when I was 18 I had a 15-year-old girlfriend. I had my first girlfriend when I was 16, and she was 13. When I was 26 I married a 22-year-old woman. Throughout my teens and early 20's my girlfriends were always three or four years younger than me. That seemed natural. So why not five years younger? It would hardly have made any difference.

Success Rate:  - 1.8

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I bought the film on Blu-ray, but I realised today that the film is now only available on DVD in England. That's sad. The American release has shot up in price, indicating that not many copies are left. What can we do to increase the interest in this incredible film?

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4 Stars)

This is a film that doesn't really make any sense, but it's great fun anyway. It doesn't get boring however often I watch it. If you don't know it yet, give it a try.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4 Stars)

This film is a curiosity. It's difficult to pin it down to any particular genre. On some levels it seems to be a superhero film, but as I pointed out in my last review, it's about a person whose life is a video game. I haven't read the comics on which the film is based. Based on the synopsis on the Scott Pilgrim Wikipedia page it appears to closely follow the plot of the comics. Without reading the comics I don't know whether they also have the video game aspect to them.

My main problem with the film is that I don't understand why Scott would want to leave his girlfriend Knives for Ramona. Knives has such an attractive, bubbly personality, and she seems like a perfect match for Scott. Ramona, on the other hand, is quiet and broody. That's why I prefer the alternate ending that's included on the DVD. The official film ending follows the comics; Scott and Ramona live happily ever after. Sigh..... In the alternate ending Scott returns to Knives, with Ramona's blessing.

I'm very impressed with the artistic quality of all the films I've seen that were directed by Edgar Wright. Other examples are "Shaun of the Dead" and "World's End". He's already begun work on the new Marvel film, "Ant-Man". I expect great things from him in the coming years.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4½ Stars)

On the surface this seems like a comedy. It's advertised as coming from the director of "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun Of The Dead", which would place it squarely in the comedy genre. And yet it isn't a comedy. Not just a comedy, anyway. It's about life within a video game, and by extension is a parody of arcade type video games in general.

Scott Pilgrim is the bass player in a rock band called Sex Bob-Omb. He falls in love with a girl, but in order for her to accept him he must battle her seven evil exes to the death. He at first assumes they are all ex-boyfriends, but then has to battle with a former lesbian lover. As he defeats each ex he wins points an advances a level.

Without intending to give a spoiler, I strongly recommend that anyone who has the DVD watches the alternative ending. This ending is far better than the one used in the film. It makes better sense, and it's emotionally more moving.