Monday Morning Quarterback Part II
By BOP Staff
August 17, 2010
David Mumpower: The comparison I've been making is that it's the new Serenity. That's another film that BOP championed (we even named it the best film of 2005) whose box office failed to match its tremendous quality. The comparison is quite sound in that Serenity is 81% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes, has an 8.0 out of 10 rating at IMDb and earned an A Cinemascore. Scott Pilgrim is 81% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes, has an 8.3 out of 10 rating at IMDb (it would be tied for #72 all time if it had enough votes to qualify...that number will come down some, though), and earned an A- Cinemascore. In terms of box office, Scott Pilgrim has things going for it that Serenity did not in that its director guarantees box office in England and the manga aspect of the title gives it at least a chance to play in Asia. Even so, I think we all realized going in that this was a long shot to break out and its disappointing debut means it will not make back its budget domestically. What conclusion can we draw from this? People suck. All kidding aside, thanks to all of the BOP readers who gave the film a chance because you knew we loved it. We sincerely appreciate that several of you gave it a shot just because you like us. My wife, whom I jokingly call Kimona Flowers (seriously, I even bought her a star purse off Etsy.com), is particularly grateful. For those of you who haven't watched it yet, please do so in the coming weeks or take a chance on home video. Odds are quite strong that you'll like it, just as was the case with Serenity.
Kim Hollis: I think it's well-known around these parts that I'm a Scottaholic. I fell in love with the graphic novels like nothing I've experienced in pop culture in a long time. Every time I reread the books, I find something new to like. It's funny, fresh, unique and completely lacking in self-consciousness.
When the movie was announced and we learned Michael Cera was the lead, I was a little skeptical. Although I like him, he just wasn't what I'd pictured for Scott Pilgrim. Still, I put my faith in Edgar Wright - he had yet to steer me wrong as I adore Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz - and hoped for the best. When trailers were released, it sure looked like he had gotten it right.
Even so, I never held out much hope that this would be a film with any sort of widespread appeal. I figured $12 million was about the best it could hope for, and I do admit to being a little surprised Universal budgeted that highly for the film. Regardless, Wright and the cast have delivered on every level. This is a movie they should be proud of, and it's going to be one that people will recommend to their friends and watch over and over again. It's comfort food, and it's something entirely different than what people are used to. That it was made at all is a victory of sorts.
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