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Scott Pilgrim vs The World

(2010)

Seeing this at the cinema, it all fell a little flat; too linear, repetitive and trying too hard for results based on material of questionable merit. The home viewing experience has improved my view of the film significantly.

Edgar Wright's visual flourish is no less evident (and Bill Pope's cinematography no less stunning), but the highly indulgent nature of the tale seems like a better fit, and the repetitive fight sequences not so all-encompassing.

The through line of humour seemed to work better, and the performances (Kieran Culkin apparently channelling Robert Downey Jr) less at the whim of the visual eye candy. It's in no way a great movie (even if lines like "I was bi-curious" "And I'm bi-furious!" are intentionally shit, they're no less shit for self-consciousness), unless maybe you're a big gamer.

I'm not sure the ending for Scott is deserved (there's an alt ending on the DVD, but I reckon the correct one would have been the comic writer's initial idea that he didn't go through with) but it's so confident in its artificial world and aesthetic that you can't help but be a little impressed.

****

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She writes Twilight fan fiction.

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Shyamalan has seized on a horror staple – nubile teenage girls in peril, prey to a psychotic antagonist – and, no doubt with the best intentions, attempted to warp it. But, in so doing, he has dragged in themes and threads from other, more meritable fare, with the consequence that, in the end, the conflicting positions rather subvert his attempts at subversion…

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If you could just tell me what those eyes have seen.

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Now In Full Color, with a Happier Ending

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