Parents' Guide to

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Clever, entertaining fantasy romance for gaming-era teens.

Movie PG-13 2010 112 minutes
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 24 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
June 1, 2022
age 14+

Hold on to your hats and let go of your expectations!

Edgar Wright in his Wright awesomeness. This film is not predictable in its presentation or even in its narrative conclusions. The ins and outs of the film left me dizzy with the sweet sensation of what just happened? Although mostly heteronormative in nature this film offers new meaning to teenage video game drama...I see it as part of the legacy of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the explosive teen genre that has ensued. This film puts it all on its head and does a street fighter headspin with legs flailing in synchronized round kicks to the tired genre of boy meets girl.
BlitzGuy20
BlitzGuy20 Parent of 8-year-old
June 7, 2021
age 11+

Fun, creative film has language and sexual content

Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a fun, entertaining flick, but it does use some language that may not be appropriate for kids. VIOLENCE: Cartoon-like fights take place multiple times throughout which include unrealistic depictions of frantic punching, kicking, flying. Huge electric monsters fight at a certain point. In one scene a man has his face slightly cut, no blood. LANGUAGE: Words such as “f*ck”, “sh*t”, “b*tch”, “slut”, “cock”, “ass” and more are used one way or another. The word “f*ck” is never said directly, however it is used 14 times in total. It is used 10 times bleeped out (however it is still very clear what is being said”), it is used twice in letter form such as “OMFG” and “Your about to get f’d in the b”. It is also used twice more as a reference to “f*ck-man” referencing Pac-Man. This is never said. One direct use of “cock” as an insult as “You cocky cock!”. It is also referenced on several other occasions as “cockiness” and “cocky” however not in the form of the non-swear. Several direct uses of “sh*t”. SEXUAL CONTENT: Several references to gay sex, sexual intercourse and more. A man and a woman make out on a bed but stop before having sex. One scene of gay sex, however it is only shown for a second and most of it is cut off by the shot. Nothing remotely severe is shown before they are interrupted. The band depicted in the movie is called “Sex Bob Bomb”. Nothing sexual is related to the band. Several sexual references using the expletive “f*ck” such as “your about to get f’d in the b”. Other references. OVERALL: 11+

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 24 parent reviews

What's the Story?

This graphic novel adaptation takes place in not-quite-exotic Toronto, Canada, where Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a stereotypical 20-something slacker: He's the bass player in a band called Sex Bob-omb, a self-described geek who's dating 17-year-old high-schooler Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), and he crashes at his gay best friend Wallace's (Kieran Culkin) flat. Life consists mostly of band practice, hanging out, and playing video games with Knives ... until one day he spies irresistible, magenta-haired Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). After hooking up with Ramona, Scott realizes he must properly break it off with the adoring Knives -- and then discovers that he must defeat Ramona's "Seven Evil Exes" -- the nefarious league of all the people she's dumped since elementary school -- to truly be with his new love interest. A series of video game-style battles ensues -- can Scott prove that he has what it takes? And is Ramona worth the effort?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (24):
Kids say (136):

At first, director Edgar Wright creates a meta-clever universe in which Scott's infatuation with Ramona and the first couple of evil-ex showdowns are hilarious and well-executed. Scott doesn't quite understand what's going on at first, but he knows he's into Ramona, and if this is what he has to do, he's sorta-kinda willing. But as the Mortal Kombat-style battles continue and escalate, viewers begins to wonder -- along with Scott -- why this girl whom he doesn't exactly have sizzling chemistry with is making him risk his life six times to have a happy ending. While he's head over heels for her, she calls him "the nicest guy" she's ever gone out with -- faint praise when her former significant others include arrogant and conceited types like a handsome action star (Chris Evans), a super-vegan bassist (Brandon Routh), and the evil exes' leader, Gideon, a jerky music producer played by Jason Schwartzman. There's one girl too -- the "bi-curious" and "bi-furious" Roxy Richter (a heavily made-up Mae Whitman, who long ago played Cera's girlfriend Ann on Arrested Development).

By the time Scott plows through all of the exes to reach Gideon, the novelty hasn't exactly worn off, but it no longer provides the jolt of excitement that energized the first half of the action. Cera, that ubiquitous Everyman who looks more boy than man, plays Scott as so spineless that it's hard to believe he can harness any of the power points necessary to defeat some of the exes. In fact, the most interesting character is Wallace. With his dark dye job making him look like a younger Tobey Maguire, Culkin is positively show-stopping, chewing up the scenery with his pithy advice and super-ability to phone Scott's put-together younger sister, Stacey (Anna Kendrick), whenever Scott's acting like an idiot (which is to say, most of the time). Culkin shines so brightly that it's too bad graphic novelist Bryan Lee O'Malley didn't write a Wallace-centric spin-off that could be adapted into a sequel.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does it compare to what you've seen in other action movies? Does it have more or less impact?

  • The movie seems aimed at those immersed in video game culture -- i.e., teens. Do you think it's as funny or relevant for parents/adults?

  • What does Scott learn about himself by fighting off all of the exes?

  • Why are graphic novel adaptations so popular? For those familiar with both, how does the movie compare to the graphic novels?

Movie Details

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