REVIEW: SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF

4/5

Bits Of 8.

8 Episodes. Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman & Ellen Wong. Created By: Bryan Lee O'Malley & BenDavid Grabinski. On: Netflix. 

Great Scott! In the words of 'Family Guy' Peter Griffin's John Wayne impression, "Happy Thanksgiving, Pilgrim!" If you're a fanboy or girl of Bryan Lee O'Malley's 'Scott Pilgrim' graphic novels, or the massive move adaptation, the amazing 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' which came out thirteen years ago (unlucky for you. Feel 'WHAT THE F###!?' yet?), then you'll been thankful for this holiday season gift. Dialling 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The Animation' to 11, Netflix's new eight part, highly-anticipated and long-awaited 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' series really does. Multiverse merging the worlds of Japanese anime and 8-bit video games perfectly, this is a treat to unwrap between Halloween and Christmas. Developed by O'Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, directed by Abel Góngora and executive produced by 'The World' director Edgar Wright, they said they wouldn't do this US and Japan crossover, set in the terrific Toronto, Canada (looking animated and amazing) unless ALL the main cast reprised their roles. Well, here you have something else to give thanks for at this time of year. Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman and Ellen Wong with knives out, like you've never seen them before. Blooming over Necry Talkie's talk about it theme and a sick soundtrack scored by Joseph Trapanese and Anamanaguchi. It's more than "whatever". BOOM!

In this alternate reality where a succession of stars return after being marvels and more in their post Pilgrim pilgrimages, this cult classic transforms into an epic expanded universe. Changing its tone like Ramona Flowers changes the colours in her hair to begin each episode the same way like a new day as she rubs the steam from the bathroom cabinet mirror after applying and washing out her dye to a cat's yawn. Press start as you cradle each episode like your beloved nostalgia for many a genre that are 1Up super powered here. With compelling cinematography from Hikari Itou and Yoshihiro Sekiya, edited to perfection by Keisuke Yanagi, the action amazes, and it's funny as f###. It doesn't just look the part. It retro fits style with substance and is more than self-aware of some of its previous problems, when it comes to our protagonist's dating life. Sure, some may say this arc drags, but it's still triumphant before the Game Over screen (continue? 9...8...7), and there will be many who will feel Scott Pilgrim actually crash lands, as its main character taking off, gets sidelined like many a Marvel or Star Wars lead these Disney + streaming service ticking boxes days. Yet, this novel idea and monster smash of a movie was always as much about the Flowers as it was the Pilgrims. And it all just leads to a formidable finale anyway. Get ready for the next battle like 'Tekken', and fight all you like, but this one doesn't pull any of its punch. Spiking and slapping the ball with a slam dunk of a volley that packs a wallop.

Girl power, vegan power and more broccoli than Snoop Dogg's trailer before he played us all like April, this indie picture has even more bass. A special delivery to your world on roller-skates that will knock you through a time-loop. Defeating all the critics on the hunt like the league of evil exes, we must have a second season. Even if this would remain a stand-alone classic without one, because despite the post-credits tease, O'Malley has admitted to Rolling Stone magazine that it would take 50 separate miracles to bring 'Scott Pilgrim' back again. But how about the 15 of bringing all the cast back in a chat code master move? Not to mention some classic cameos like the Wright ones from Edgar's own epic Cornetto trilogy. Stranger things have happened in the name of nostalgia, and it's clear to hear (if not see), that Cera and Winstead's chemistry is still set. Captain America, Chris Evans of course, steals the show with his Human Torch of a D-bag. Mixing it up with both Captain Marvel AND Superman. Not to mention all the wonders of Wes Anderson's world. The bands back together like Mae Whitman. A f#####g fantastic Aubrey Plaza, a pitch perfect Anna Kendrick, and all the stars like Kieran Culkin. And there's finally justice for Ellen Wong's character. Thumbing the controls perfectly, this game joystick is taken in the right direction with no ham fists. Now, if Scott could still just get himself together and afford his own apartment and stuff. Shut up and take my coins, Pilgrim. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World', 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The Animation', 'Shaun Of The Dead'.