[Editor’s note: For more Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, check out our spoiler interview with the creators.]
The Pitch: Not so long ago, in the mysterious land of Toronto, Canada, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) was dating a high schooler. But when Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), quite literally the girl of Scott’s dreams, comes to town, the 22-year-old bass player, master fighter, and hopeless romantic gets his life turned upside down.
Despite his romantic entailment with aforementioned high schooler Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), Scott immediately pursues Ramona, only to find out she carries quite a bit of baggage: a league of seven evil exes that Scott will have to defeat in order to fall in love with Ramona. Man, this sounds familiar.
Scott Pilgrim vs. Adaptation: And that’s because it is familiar! Fans of the original graphic novels or Edgar Wright’s cult classic film adaptation are more than aware of the trials and tribulations of one Scott Pilgrim and his quest for self-respecting love.
While there’s undoubtedly a modicum of interest in seeing the story told through animation, you wouldn’t be out of line for wondering if yet another version of Scott Pilgrim is all that necessary. Even Scott Pilgrim vs. the Animation beat Scott Pilgrim Takes Off to the medium of televised animation by 13 years, and recasting nearly all of the actors from Wright’s film — while, admittedly, makes one’s nostalgia gland start salivating — only compounds the feeling of déjà vu. Fans have been here before, so does the new Netflix series give them a reason to once again return to the well?
Yep. Yes. Indeed. Indubitably. Ahem — it most certainly does.
Without dipping too far into spoiler territory, the show initially establishes itself as an adaption of an adaption, borrowing jokes, story beats, and shots from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, only to take a sharp and abrupt left turn. By Episode 2, Scott’s familiar story has been upended and reframed, asking new questions that go on to linger throughout the rest of the season. It’s ballsy as hell, but it’s a risk that pays off, resulting in a fresh take on an IP that had seemingly been tapped dry.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
Scott Pilgrim vs. Stylization: While the story diverges from the original novels and much-loved movie, the tone and presentation of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is very much in line with the greater Scott Pilgrim universe. Highly stylized, bubbling with energy, and soundtracked by spunky tunes, the series has just as much character as the most beloved interpretations of Scott’s bout with Ramona’s evil exes.
The fun-loving vibe is established right from the opening credits: Set to “bloom,” an absolute bop from Japanese indie rock band Necry Talkie, it flashes familiar faces and epic battles at a breakneck pace, all now rendered in the show’s anime-inspired animation style. The world of the show — the mythical land of Toronto — lives up to the sugar rush of the credits, packing every scene with visual gags, video-game flourishes, and comic book onomatopoeias.
With the boundless opportunities of animation at the tips of the creators’ fingertips, the team takes the 8-bit flair of Wright and maxes out every possible setting, resulting in wonderfully cartoonish fight scenes and more than a few memorable needle-drops. It’s enough to warrant rewatch after rewatch, just to be absolutely sure you caught all of the little easter eggs and background jokes.
And while Scott Pilgrim vs. the World sometimes faced the (slightly unfair) criticism of “style over substance,” the same can’t be said about the new series. If you were to dial back the absurdities, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off would not only lose its sense of fun, but crucial plot points and important thematic elements as well. That’s all to say that if you see someone throw the same jab at the show, hit ’em with a big ol’ “THWOMP.”
Scott Pilgrim vs. Scott Pilgrim Fans: Conceived and written by BenDavid Grabinski and original creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, dedicated fans can rest assured that the franchise rests in good hands. While there’s bound to be a small, vocal minority that bemoans the ways Scott Pilgrim Takes Off radically departs from its source material, the narrative is too compelling and too “Scott Pilgrim-esque” for that criticism to hold any real water. Whether you were hoping for a new approach or merely more Scott Pilgrim content, the series thoroughly delivers.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
The changes don’t just make the show work as a piece of media in a vacuum — they’re what justify its existence. They’re what make the show so compelling, so creative, and so enjoyable. Ultimately, the decision to try something new rather than rehash what’s worked before puts Scott Pilgrim Takes Off in a position to make an actual impact. Unlike most spiritual sequels or remakes, fans won’t simply think of it as a ghostly afterthought, but as a legitimate entry into the greater Pilgrimverse. It’s less Total Recall (2012) and more FX’s Fargo.
The Verdict: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has cajones, and thank god for it. The show could have been serviceable nostalgia bait, but instead, it delivers a deeply satisfying eight-episode arc, in turn setting a new standard for what legacy sequels can accomplish.
And, yes, this review has been a little on the vague side when it comes to plot or textual evidence (big apologies to all of my high school English teachers). B ut make it through the first episode, and you’ll understand why — we would never deprive you of that. Make it through the next seven, and you’ll find yourself on an always surprising, legitimately funny, genuinely remarkable, precious little ride.
Where to Watch: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off releases in full on Friday, November 17th on Netflix.
Trailer:
