As a long-time fan of graphic novels and adaptations, I’ve come to appreciate the diversity in storytelling that keeps me engaged and challenged. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s beloved comic series, is one such tale that stands out for its unique approach to character development.
In most films, viewers typically anticipate that the character’s life they follow is the protagonist, or hero, of the story. Yet, there aren’t too many narratives focusing on someone who might seem unfamiliar or unlikeable to readers. The movie “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” tells the tale of Scott Pilgrim and his journey through various challenges in pursuit of love. Initially, this appears to be a classic hero story; however, some fans of the comics are realizing that Scott Pilgrim may not be the traditional hero that people think he is.
According to the comic book series “Scott Pilgrim” by Bryan Lee O’Malley, the movie “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” hit the screens in 2010. It was warmly welcomed, and thanks to an unexpected email exchange among the cast members, the animated show “Scott Pilgrim Takes Flight” premiered in 2023 with great success, earning a shout-out from Brie Larson as well.
Following the premiere of the show, which presented unanticipated turns departing from the source comic books, numerous individuals have flocked to social platforms to discuss the program as well as the personalities it portrays. Notably, one such character is none other than the lead protagonist Scott Pilgrim himself.
Long-time fans were nearly taken aback to find public opinion of Scott viewed positively, as a discussion on Threads gained traction and became viral. The initial viral comment highlighted, “A friendly reminder that many ‘nice guys’ who watched Scott Pilgrim assumed Scott was the protagonist.” Other users added comments such as:
- The point of Takes Off felt like it was dealing with Ramona’s Growth regarding her shittiness in past relationships. But yeah, the correct interpretation of both works is “everyone is someone’s evil ex, and growth is realizing what you did and understanding how to be better going forward”.
- Not to mention our first introduction to Scott involves the words “Scott Pilgrim is dating a high-schooler” and then we see everyone in his life calling him out on it.
- Sometimes you are the hero, sometimes you are the villain , it depends on who tells the story.
Although the concept of a protagonist who is the most detestable isn’t novel, it often elicits varied reactions. Some readers may be reluctant to engage with a story about someone whose moral compass differs significantly from their own, or find themselves unintentionally identifying with an unsavory character (as defined by their personal standards).
In essence, the narrative of Scott Pilgrim encompasses a multitude of characters who often make choices that may be open to debate. For instance, the plot commences with several individuals in Scott’s circle expressing disapproval towards his relationship with a high school student, given that he is twenty-two years old. This issue is raised right from the start in all three mediums, serving as a clear indication of Scott’s character flaws. In doing so, it provides an immediate insight into who Scott really is.
His predicament isn’t eased by the fact that he engages in actions that raise moral doubts, like his affair with Ramona while still involved with a high school student. To him, this act might not seem wrong since he harbors feelings for Ramona.
It’s worth noting that the original ending for the movie was to have Scott end up with Knives, the high schooler he starts seeing at the onset of the story. However, after test screenings, that was later reshot, because the ending wasn’t well-received.
The director of Scott Pilgrim Vs the World, Edgar Wright, describes the original ending as follows:
Originally, we scripted the ending such that [Scott] wound up with Knives, mirroring the ambiguous, bittersweet conclusions of films like The Graduate and The Heartbreak Kid. These movies leave you wondering if their protagonist truly attained what he desired or what was truly beneficial for him, which creates an intriguing question mark in your mind, something like: “Wait a minute… Did I make the wrong choice?
The concept of Scott Pilgrim revolves around the notion that everyone has the potential to be a less-than-ideal partner for someone, while being a kind individual towards another. Scott is not necessarily a character you’d want to emulate. He functions more as the central figure in the narrative rather than being portrayed as a hero due to his inherent goodness.
Regardless of where you stand on this debate, you can check out Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for yourself by streaming it with a Max subscription.
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2024-10-03 02:07