Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an animated television series by Bryan Lee O’Malley and Ben David Grabinski for Netflix. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel Scott Pilgrim written and drawn by O’Malley. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a fun show serving as a welcome addition to the franchise that takes the story intis own unique direction with its own vision.
The direction in the show is great. All off the actors prepare their roles from the original Scott Pilgrim vs The World film leading to an adaption that feels like a love letter to the franchise as all the main players have come together once again to deliver a product, they are passionate about. The mood of the shows is all over the place but at the same time feels coregent. The show is first and foremost a comedy as the humour of the show is really allowed to shine throughout leading to some generally funny moments throughout. There are genially emotional scenes that are well-done and really give the characters more depth. There is more going to the characters particularly the villains than in the original film so expanding on this idea for them was a great move. The style of the show is unique. They have a very surrealist dream like quality to is using a verity of style to archive this feel. The show feels very experimental and unique as a result creating a very original experience.
The best thing about the acting is that the original cast reprises these roles form the film in this series. Michael Cera does a good job as Scoot Pilgrim playing a likable but somewhat dumb character that the show centres around. Mary Elizabeth Winstead does a good job as Ramona Flowers in this series she has untimely become the protagonist of the show instead of Scott allowing for a lot more depth to her character. Satya Bhabha does a good job as Matthew Patel he is given more two to and ultimately becomes one of the main villains in the show. Kieran Culkin does a good job as Wallace Wells; he ultimately plays a meta role creating the events of what happened in the show into a movie itself. Chris Evans does a good job as Lucas Lee playing a hilarious stupid skateboarding celebrity. Anna Kendrick does a god job as Stacey Pilgrim Scott’s sister and is the voice of reason in the film. Brie Larson does a good job as Envy Adamas Scott’s ex and is given more to do in this adaption. Alison Pill does a good job as Kim Pine the deadpan drummer of Scott’s band and provides alto of good comedy. Aubrey Plaza does a good job as Julie Powers a bitchy friend of Scott who puts him in his place. Brandon Routh does a good job a good job as Todd Ingram a vegan superhuman evil Rockstar and provides a lot of good laughs. Jason Schwartzman does a good job as Gideon Graves and plays character far more sympathetic than in the original film. Johnny Simmons does a good job as Young Neil ultimately playing a meta character making a film of Scott Pilgrim. Mark Webber does a good job as Stephan Skills playing a funny and dry humoured character. Mae Whitman does a good job as Roxanne Richter playing a far more sympathetic character than what she was in the film adding depth to her character. Ellen Wong does a good job as Knives Chau playing Scott’s girlfriend at the begging of the show and adds a lot to the humour. Julian Cihi does a good job as both Kyle and Ken Katayanagi twins that are two of Ramona’s Ex’s.
The writing in the film is good. The film has a crazy energetic style that works and is reenforced by how over the top and insane the show is. The humour of the show works well, and the comedy is carried throughout creating a very entertaining show. However, what makes this show different is that it has far more depth than the original film. The characters impartially the villains as well as Remona are given far more depth to them making them much more interesting characters. However, this story is more Remona’s than it is Scott’s as it her trying to find Scott after the events of the first episode. This makes the show completely different to the film making a for a truly unique experience. The character of Ramona is given far more depth as a result making for a more interesting character. As a result, the character of Scott is given less screen time and therefore less depth as I didn’t connect with him the same way as in the film.
The cinematography in the show is good. The show carries on the films surliest style with lots of surreal techniques further allowing the show to have this dream like quality to it. The show very much feels like an animated comic book everything is over the top and stylistic creating a unique look that stay true to the story’s tone.
The animation in the film is also great with it being presented in a traditional cartoon style with fits the show well. The animation also leads into the over-the-top nature of the film with some great surrealist elements throughout.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a great show. It is a fun, funny entertaining show that due to its differences form the original film acts as a fitting and unique retelling of the Scott Pilgrim Story.
