"Scott Pilgrim Takes Off" What is this a Remix?

 

    The Scott Pilgrim series certainly has an interesting legacy, from people not understanding the real point of the movie, to the discourse that it has spun, especially with everyone's favourite song Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Ruined a Whole Generation of Women which only highlights the issue. I mean just look at the comments, I used to like the song because I thought it was catchy as a kid, but looking at the comments that are still been floating to the top of that video show that people are mostly just using it as an area to vent any and all frustrations about women. Which is ironic because like you'll see comments talking about how someone had an abusive ex, or something about pedophilia, and you just ask yourself if they even watched the original series, because Ramona did all of her exes dirty, but that's basically it. Why am I discussing all of this on a review of a Netflix adaptation? Well that's because the fans really have not changed at all.

    Let me explain. Basically, every complaint I've seen about this show is that they aren't adapting the comic book or the movie, and I can kind of understand why. As someone who read and adored the source material for all of this Scott Pilgrim content, I was absolutely pumped for then they announced this show, assuming they were actually going to go in depth into the lore in the universe. I mean they sort of reference it in the movie, but it's so fast paced that they mostly just reference it to provide some smug satisfaction for those who read the source material. Well, what they're actually mad about is that the show in fact does not focus on their precious Scott Pilgrim, who is just like me fr fr, and instead focuses on Ramona Flowers, to put an interesting take on an already iconic story.

    Honestly, it's pretty ironic that people have spent years obsessing over the poster child for manic pixie dream girl's in Ramona Flowers, and instantly they become mad when she actually has a story and a bit of personality. Personally, I thought the show was pretty good. I mean I'm not the craziest about super meta storylines, especially where people meet alternate versions of themselves, but this show was short and entertaining enough that I felt like the ending was adequate enough. Frankly, I was a little scared they'd just end up idolizing Scott all because he was missing, so it was nice to see that by the end they looped around and made him the villain just so people understood that he was also an asshole.

    In terms of actual critiques from the show, I thought it could have been better. The truth is it's fun because I was already so invested into the Scott Pilgrim universe, and I loved the idea of remixing it and exploring new angles to beloved characters that had to fight for even a couple minutes of screentime in the jam packed movie. It's just, it feels a lot slower than the movie was, which isn't necessarily bad, but then also the voice acting sound really flat at times as well, which leaves the show with more awkward moments than it realistically should have. Take for example Young Neil, while I do think his character was comedic, especially when he's just aimlessly driving around a golf car, the delivery of his lines by his voice actor just sounds so off. It's not just him either, I actually liked Kim's character, and thought they'd explore more of her relationship with Scott and how he kind of did her dirty, but she's once again mostly sidelined, and her voice sounds oddly flat, but too flat, even for her character who's relatively monotone.

    Then there's the story, it certainly feels like it's not sure where it's going, sort of like this article. Look, I love that Ramona is exploring her relationship with her exes, my only issue is that it feels pretty contrived, and like nothing is really happening during the episodes. Much of the episodes just feel like the show going, hey look remember this character, look at them now, and here's a fight and Ramona goes back to square one every single time. I'm not saying Ramona had to make progress every episode, after all it's not always linear in real life, it's just that it felt less like a story and more like going through the motions. Just look at episode 6 where Ramona is basically like "Scott's back?!", and she presents all her evidence which is that Scott was captured using a vegan portal but it's not Todd because the vegan portal is too fancy to be him. I mean it's not like the Scott Pilgrim universe lacks colourful characters, so the show did not end up being boring, but I find myself hard pressed to imagine non-Scott Pilgrim fans really feeling invested into this show. There's nothing wrong with a little story.

    What it lacks in substance it makes up for in style though, because this show is lively, filled with dazzling action scenes, and has some darn good music to back it all. It's a lot easier to swallow the lack of a proper exploration between Ramona and Lucas Lee when Chris Evans is just there skating through and beating up hordes of ninja paparazzi in a captivating. Truthfully, while I might have all of these criticisms of the show looking back, while I was watching it you can bet I was giddy with glee whenever I heard that wonderful intro start up, it's one of those things that made me smile, and I only wish it was longer. Shoddy voice acting aside, I'm kind of glad they managed to round up the entire cast from the movie, it was kind of exciting hearing their voices reprise these characters that I remember so vividly from the movie.

Final Score: 70/100

    Honestly, if I wasn't a fan of Scott Pilgrim beforehand, my review is probably lower. Voice acting delivery is questionable, plot is paper thin and barely feels existent, this feels like it mostly just exists for fans to relive and explore the characters in the Scott Pilgrim Universe. Even still, it manages to itch that piece of me that longed for more Scott Pilgrim, and I'd gladly take it over having nothing, regardless of what warts that are packaged along. TL;DR if you're a fan just watch it, I hope you get something out of it, if you aren't, still watch it, but don't be surprised if you don't get it at all, I wouldn't say this is a good starting point for anyone looking to get into the series.