Pads & Panels

Title: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Format: Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Level Up! Collector’s Edition)

Directed by: Edgar Wright

Written by: Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright

Starring: Michael Cera, Alison Pill, Johnny Simmons, Ellen Wong, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Mark Webber

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

For Bill’s original review of the theatrical release of the film, click here.

The Blu-ray

The Blu-ray for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is the type that throws in everything and the kitchen sink. Director Edgar Wright’s last flick, Hot Fuzz, got a wealth of special features up front, and then an even expanded edition after that. While there’s no guarantee the same thing won’t happen with Scott Pilgrim, the initial release is absolutely packed with content.

As a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World doesn’t offer anything out of the ordinary in terms of packaging. It’s got a blue paper slip-case, with the Blu-ray disc and DVD, in blue and red respectively, on either side of the hard plastic case. The Digital Copy is offered via a code on a sheet of paper, rather than with one of the discs. While at press time the URL provided on the slip has continuously failed to work, the code can be redeemed directly through iTunes.

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The special features eat up a lot of time, but the shame of it is that they don’t entirely feel worth the time. A whopping four feature-length commentaries fill the disc, from the book’s writer, Brian Lee O’Malley, to Wright, to actors and more. Then there’s an animatics sequence that lasts as long as some features. There are features on the music of the film, plenty on the unique visuals, promotional packages and so much more, including studio blogs.

But most of it is edited as spastically as Wright’s films. While it works for the movies, the pacing of the special features make some feel tediously long. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’s Blu-ray offers quantity, but not necessarily quality when it comes to these features. The goal seems to have been to pack as much as possible on the disc, rather than presenting these unique elements in an engaging fashion.

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But the hi-def qualities of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World make the Blu-ray purchase worthwhile, even if fans are disappointed about the other features. The visuals aren’t the most fantastic to hit Blu-ray, but that’s a combination of the film’s grainy, punk sort of style and the complex layering of insane visuals playing comic book tricks on the eyes. The audio, however, is fantastic, offering a sweet blend of the film’s soundtrack, sound effects and dialogue that’s well balanced despite the chaos often presented on screen.

Overall, the wealth of content and the information it offers fans of the film will still win over viewers despite the overall quality. The hi-def content also hits its mark in enough places to be worth the purchase. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World will still ring true for fans of gaming, comics and Edgar Wright, even when some of the slips in its workmanship become more apparent with repeat viewings. It’s just a shame Universal rushed it out the door so quickly without a little more care offered the extras.

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For more info, www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com

Pads & Panels received a copy of the Blu-ray courtesy of the studio for review purposes.

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