Without the added participatory elements of a light show, sing-along, or garlic bread handed to me, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is still a movie worth watching. Yet, the folks at Cinemattack from Fountain Valley have planned all those things and more for their upcoming screening of the film at the Frida Cinema in SanTana this Friday night.
The film, based on the popular graphic novel by Brian Lee O'Malley, was well received by critics and fans alike upon its initial release, and like the graphic novel, has nurtured its own cult following (although it's no big issue if you're unfamiliar with the source material since the film stands alone for its hilarious and visually stunning merits). It stars my good buddy Michael Cera in the title role, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Allison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Kieran Culkin and Anna Kendrick, who bring to life O'Malley's beloved characters to the screen.
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Personally, I can't give much insight on the actual graphic novel story of Scott Pilgrim, as it extends to six volumes, none of which I have read (although I plan to, as my colleague/friend/ultimate Scott Pilgrim fanboy Charles Lam has thrust upon me his entire Scott Pilgrim collection to read in anticipation of this event). But the movie's story arc is as follows: Scott Pilgrim, a bass player for the band Sex Bob-omb, is dating high schooler Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) when he meets Amazon deliverygirl Ramona Flowers (Winstead). Scott breaks up with Knives to pursue a relationship with Ramona, while Knives plots a jealousy and rage-induced plan to win back Scott from Ramona.
Yet Scott's plans for courting Ramona are met with obstacles in the form of Ramona's ex-lovers, whom Scott must defeat in order to date her. Her seven exes are: Matthew Patel, who attacks Scott and warns him of Ramona's six other exes; Lucas Lee, a Hollywood actor and skateboarder; Todd Ingram, who is dating Scott's ex-girlfriend and lead singer of The Clash at Demonhead Envy Adams; Ramona's ex-girlfriend Roxy Richter; twins Kyle and Ken Katayanagi, and Gideon, a powerful music mogul.
The film takes a lot of the visual elements of its source material as well as from video games, making the film seem fantastical and surreal. Its visual gags and quick-witted characters add to the film's humor, making this film one of my favorite comic-to-film adaptations of all time. The screening itself heightens all the visuals to add extra fun into the mix. As I stated at the top, can expect a crazy/cool laser show, some sing alongs to the songs, the chance to cosplay as your favorite character, and more… much more. Check out the trailer to the event below.
If you show up early, there will be drinks and video games available in the lobby; if you stick around afterwards, there's an after-party and costume contest. Check out the event page with all the info for the screening right here.
This will be the only time in the foreseeable future that this event will take place, despite the fact that this is the second SPVTW picture show ever. So don't delay in getting your tickets, and don't forget that bread makes you fat. See you there!
Email: am******@oc******.com Twitter: @aimee_murillo. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter and Facebook!
Aimee Murillo is calendar editor and frequently covers film and previously contributed to the OCW’s long-running fashion column, Trendzilla. Don’t ask her what her favorite movie is unless you want to hear her lengthy defense of Showgirls.