Scott Pilgrim and the Mysterious Land of Toronto, Canada
General Reviews
Not so long ago… in the mysterious land… of Toronto, Canada… Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, directed by Edgar Wright, was filmed. When considering Cinematic Canada, Scott Pilgrim immediately came to mind. Not only is it my favourite Edgar Wright film (and one of my favourite films of all time), but it was also shot in Canada with a number of Canadian actors. This astounding film showed the rest of the world that we do not live in igloos and slurp maple syrup, but instead we fight evil exes and possess vegan powers!
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World was filmed in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and featured many iconic destinations, including Casa Loma, Lee’s Palace, 4, The Rockit, and many other Canadian stores and buildings. Casa Loma is a major tourist destination in Toronto with over 650,000 visitors per year. In the film, the gothic revival mansion is the site where Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) fights Lucas Lee (Chris Evans.) Casa Loma has been used in many other films and television shows such as The Vow, Chicago, X-Men, Ready or Not, and Crimson Peak. However, what’s fascinating about the use of Casa Loma in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is that it actually is Casa Loma in the film. The CN Tower is also briefly seen during the evil ex fight. Even the smaller shops like Second Cup and Pizza Pizza are included in order to highlight Canadian businesses. All of Canada’s cinematic city of Toronto on display exactly as it is.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World not only filmed on location, but it also features lots of Canadian talent. The film stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim. Cera, who was born in Brampton, Ontario, is the perfect fit to play the socially inept, bass playing character of Scott. He has excellent comedic timing and his “awkward kid” persona that he often has in his characters works perfectly. You would expect that the battles against Ramona Flowers’ seven evil exes would look ridiculous when fighting someone that looks like him, but the video game style and editing of the fights makes Scott look incredibly powerful. Cera is jumping, and spinning, and kicking his way to victory, bursting the villains into piles of coins. Other Canadian talent in the film includes Alison Pill as the short-tempered drummer, Kim Pine, Ellen Wong as the animated Knives Chau, and Erik Knudsen as the memorable lead singer of Crash and the Boys ("'This song is called ‘I Am So Sad. I Am So Very Very Sad.’")
Overall, this film is so much fun. It’s experimental, it’s hilarious, and the stunning video game visuals were unlike anything I had seen before. Edgar Wright’s films all feature terrific soundtracks and superb editing, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is no exception. This film is also endlessly quotable with countless hysterical one liners. (As a vegan, I often wonder when my vegan powers will kick in. The vegan police will never get me.) Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin) has many fantastic lines as well. ("I want to have his adopted babies!") Canadian pop culture nerds and comic book fans, this film is absolutely meant for you.
What makes Scott Pilgrim vs. the World an example of Cinematic Canada? Well, to put it simply it was filmed in Canada and features lots of Canadian talent. However, when you think about the greater story of Scott Pilgrim and his journey to find the Sword of Self-Respect, Canadians are given the opportunity to see themselves in him. We may not be fighting demon hipster chicks, bisexual ninjas, or superpowered vegans, but Canadians can identify with his awkwardness and those difficult late teens and early twenties. The backdrop of Toronto, Canada places the viewer in a common ground and all of the evil ex battles and comic book layouts fit in perfectly with the beautiful city. Igloos and maple syrup, no more! Canada is now the home of extreme grinding competitions, musically powered dragons, and magical Bollywood battles. In short, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a celebration of Canadian people and culture.
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