By Mark HadleyMonday 16 Aug 2010MoviesReading Time: 3 minutes
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Rating: M
Distributor: NBC Universal
Release Date: August 12, 2010
It has been a very long time since I’ve heard a cinema audience so universally amused – or maybe I was just sharing this screening of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World with 300 lonely male video-game geeks.
Scott Pilgrim has next to nothing to recommend him. He is the 22-year-old bass player of a B-grade band who is between jobs and between minds over whether he should be dating his high school girlfriend. But when the urban-cool Ramona crosses his path, he finds himself fighting her seven evil exes for the right to build a new life.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a benchmark film. The direction and special effects import many of the visual cues common to the graphic novel on which it was based. But more importantly Scott’s world is envisioned almost entirely in terms of the video games his audience would have grown up playing. Fans of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Ultimate Fighter will find plenty of in-jokes to laugh at, but Michael Cera’s trademark awkwardness means there is still plenty to appreciate for people who avoided the video arcades.
At its heart, though, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is a relationship film. Ramona drifts in and out of Scott’s life and when his sister asks him if he really envisaged a future with her, he responds “With jet-packs.” It’s a cute moment reminding us what it’s like to be both awkward and in love. It’s not a deep film but it does end on a surprisingly mature note. Scott is so worried about the pain this new girlfriend is causing him that he has forgotten how painful he has been to others. Getting into the perfect relationship will first involve him admitting that he has much to apologise for.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is rated M for language and sexual themes, though the filmmakers have actually made jokes out of obscuring the worst transgressions. All up it’s an innovative comical romp that’s probably best kept for late teens and above.
Under the Hammer
Rating: PG
Distributor: Seven Network
Release Date: Mondays, 8:00 PM
Viewers would be forgiven for thinking they are watching Hot Property. Not only does Seven’s new real estate program seem to draw all of its action from watching auctions take place, Michael Caton even stars as the host. Nice to see that The Castle is still bringing him work.
The half-hour series focuses on that topic of conversation that is likely to raise its head at most BBQs: the cost of housing. In particular, the program focuses on properties that will go ‘under the hammer’ at auctions. Each week it follows the progress of a small number of clients and their agents aiming to buy or sell a broad range of properties. Under the Hammer delivers a greater focus on the characters of the various auctioneers involved than Hot Property used to, which is probably for the best given that their moments in front of the lens provide all the drama.
Kids, traffic and housing prices are such easy topics to fall into that this series is bound to have a fairly dedicated audience, at least in Sydney. That said, I couldn’t say that Under the Hammer really impresses me. The rule of thumb for participants seems to be sellers who have an unreasonable view of the value of their homes, and buyers who can’t believe something is worth the asking price. Basically thirty minutes of greed and dissatisfaction each week. In my opinion fitness shows stand a good chance of making you feel fat, and cooking shows encourage gluttony. So what do you think Under the Hammer is likely to do for your contentment?