Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

For fans of video arcade games, comic books, or just good entertainment, this movie is for you. Universal’s or fans of video arcade games, comic books, or just good entertainment, this movie is for you. Universal’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on a six volume graphic novel, is the story of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who finds the girl of his dreams, in his dreams.  Doing some asking around, he finds that who he is looking for is Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winsted), a girl trying to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on a six volume graphic novel, is the story of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who finds the girl of his dreams, in his dreams.  Doing some asking around, he finds that who he is looking for is Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winsted), a girl trying to get away from her past, and is at first reluctant to get involved with Scott Pilgrim.  After convincing her to go out with him, the two have a great night, but the following morning he receives an email informing him that if he is to have her as his own, he will have to fight her seven evil exes. 

The movie follows the story of Scott Pilgrim and his band the Sex Bob-ombs competing in a battle of the bands for the chance to sign with Gideon Gordon Graves’ (Scott Schwartzman) label G-Man.  Each round of the competition is disrupted by an evil ex that Scott Pilgrim must defeat.  Each battle is fought in an arcade versus style with great special effects to go along with a great musical soundtrack.

The movie is very fast paced and with quick transitions to move the film along.  The arcade style adds a little nostalgia as well as a fresh take on action and fight scenes.  To focus on the fight sequences some of the back story of the characters is lost in the adaptation, but does not detract from a great movie.  Michael Cera played the part of Scott Pilgrim very well, and at times, Michael Cera wasn’t being all Michael Cera, which may have kept some people away from his recent films. 

Overall I would have to give this a 4.5 out of 5.  One of my favorite, if not my favorite, movies of the year.  The acting was great, and the score was amazing.  The visuals during the fight scenes were fantastic.  Everything about the movie added to its greatness.  With a meager opening of 10.5 million, it worries me that original ideas will not be green lit by studios.  I definitely recommend this movie as a must see.

The Expenables!

The Expendables was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, featuring him and an ensemble cast of the last twenty year’s action stars.  All play bit parts in a mercenary group led by Barney Ross (Stallone), where each has a specialized skill and style of combat. 

A mysterious man, Mr. Church, offers Ross’ team a job that would have them overthrow the tyrannical government of a small gulf island, Vilena. Ross and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) travel to Vilena to meet with their contact and to do some reconnaissance.  Once there they find that the real problem for the island is an American, James Munroe (Eric Roberts), trying to exploit the people and to build a drug empire.  After getting too close to the palace the three have to fight their way back to the plane to escape danger.  Not wanting to leave her country, Sandra (Giselle Itie) stays behind against the request from Ross Barney. 

Not wanting to accept the job, but feeling he is responsible for putting Sandra in danger, Ross decides to go back on his own to save her.  The team, loyal to their leader, decides they are up for the task to take down the government and to save Sandra.

The movie is exactly what you would expect with the abundance of gun fire, explosions, fight scenes, bad guys, heroes, and, of course, a damsel in distress.  Didn’t expect it to be a good movie, although I knew it would be an entertaining movie.  Keeping your expectation in check will allow you to enjoy the movie for what it is.  Sylvester Stallone is actually very coherent and the acting is, well, not why you will go see and enjoy this movie.  The cast of Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, along with two small cameos, is what will draw the audience to the theaters. 

Overall I would give this movie a 3 out of 5.  The story is passable and the action is sufficient.  The ensemble cast is what makes this movie what it is.  The special effects weren’t all the great, and the score was a little off at times, none of which effect the entertainment value.