Film Review: Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Yay! I am so relieved that this film lived up to pretty much all my expectations. Edgar Wright has completely understood where the comic books are coming from, has managed to keep in a staggering amount of the plot and supporting characters and has delivered something that should be satisfying even to those not familiar with the books.

Satisfying, that is, so long as they are happy to accept the internal logic of a world where a 22-year-old slacker who plays bass in a garage band can not only be challenged to a series of crazy computer-game-style battles to win the heart of the woman of his dreams, but also rise to the challenge almost without batting an eyelid. If you’re sitting there asking questions like ‘but how did he learn to fight like that?’, this might be the wrong film for you. If you’re willing to immerse yourself in a world where the rules of games, comics and action films can bleed seamlessly into that of twenty-something relationship dilemmas, then you’ll probably fall in love with this film.

The film’s reference points are clearly signalled in its visual style. Pixellated visuals, enemies who expire in a shower of coins, and comic-book-style ‘thunks’ and ‘whumps’ written across the screen all show that we are a long way from reality, most likely somewhere slap bang in the middle of nerd heaven.

Nevertheless, in spite of the sillyness, geekiness and full-on special effects explosions, this is a film with a heart. Michael Cera does a great job as the somewhat dim, yet hugely charming eponymous hero, while Mary Elizabeth Winstead manages to give real depth to his love interest Ramona – no mean feat, given that the plot requires her to be so mysterious that she could come across as having no personality at all in the hands of the wrong actress. The supporting cast are all absolutely spot-on, although special mention should go to Kieran Culkin as Scott’s witty roommate Wallace Wells.

Some plot adjustments have been made to condense the action of the books, which takes place over many months, and make it more straightforward, but it stays true to the spirit of the original and overall is remarkably faithful, especially considering that the sixth and final book was not even out until very recently, when the film must already have been all but completed.

The books had something genuine to say about relationships and growing up, and I think that the film has managed to retain that message and be moving as well as hugely entertaining.

Art Review: Picasso: The Mediterranean Years, Gagosian Gallery

I had never heard of the Gagosian Gallery until this exhibition, and it’s not exactly the sort of place you could stumble upon by accident – it’s tucked away down a side street near Kings Cross station, a street so deserted and dilapidated-looking that we were not even confident we were in the right place until we found ourselves right next to the sliding doors of the gallery. It turned out to be a small place of about three or four rooms, with the Picasso exhibition the only thing that was on. The exhibition itself was fantastic. As well as paintings in Picasso’s most recognisable Cubist style there were sketches, pottery, sculpture, posters and paper models. The impression was of someone with a fantastically creative mind, who couldn’t wait to try turning his hand to new mediums. Animals appear to have been a popular subject, with bulls in particular making frequent appearances. One fascinating sequence of sketches begins with a realistic representation of a bull and then simplifies and simplifies it, until nothing is left but a few lines and shapes, which nevertheless still clearly evoke the form of the animal. Most of the pieces are simply bursting with life and personality, and I can think of few exhibitions that I have gone round with such a big smile on my face.

The exhibition continues until 28^th August.

Things to do in London: Peregrine falcon watching at the Tate Modern

You might not think it, but apparently London is a great habitat for peregrine falcons, with 18 known breeding pairs in the city. They like to nest on tall buildings, and provide a natural form of pigeon control. And one of their favourite locations is the top of the towering chimney of the Tate Modern. They don’t actually nest there, most likely because the ledges are too small, but they frequently roost there, and bring the juveniles along to learn hunting skills.

I learned all this from the friendly people at the RSPB stand by Millennium Bridge, who have their telescopes trained on the chimney top so that members of the public can see the birds. One helper explained that he’d even seen an adult bring back a dead pigeon and drop it from the tower for a youngster to dive off after. Nothing as spectacular as that happened while we were there, but we were lucky enough to get to see a juvenile, fully grown but still slightly fluffy looking, perched on a ledge far above the Thames. It is far too high to see anything with the naked eye, but the RSPB people watch carefully for the birds to land and position the telescopes accordingly.

It’s strangely exciting to think that these prehistoric-looking hunters could be perched above our heads at any time as we wander through the busy streets of London.

The RSPB will be on hand to point them out 12 noon-7pm every day until 12^th September.

More London activities from this weekend coming soon...

How excited am I about the Scott Pilgrim film?

The answer is, of course, very excited. I have recently finished reading the comics (the sixth and last volume came out a couple of weeks ago) and I loved them. They are funny, touching and, according to Joss Whedon, “the chronicle of our time”.

Although I am normally quite wary about film adaptations of books I have taken to my heart, I have to say, the signs are looking good for this one.

Early reviews after the film’s screening at Comic Con seem positive, and all the clips and trailers online look spot-on to me (Why, yes, I have been watching all that I can find). It seems as though the humour and the comic-book/computer game references have carried over very well. Plus, the more I think about the choice of Edgar Wright as director, the more it makes sense. After all, Scott Pilgrim does have a lot in common with Spaced. Slacker heroes. Geek references. Silly comedy combined with characters you genuinely care about, trying to figure out their lives and relationships.

I only hope Michael Cera does a good job as Scott. He’s known for playing shy and nervous characters, but Scott is hopelessly positive and cheerful. Still, the trailers look promising, and there appears to have been some good casting of the supporting characters (Scott’s friends and the evil exes). I’m sure Jason Schwartzman will be great as Gideon.

So overall, yes, I am super-excited, and I really, really, hope that this film can live up to my expectations.