Big Screen and Beyond
Pilgrim’s Progression
By Julie Maurer

With the success

and fan following of several graphic novels turned into films, such as Sin City, 300 and Watchmen, a trend is starting to emerge.

Low budget and indie directors are taking chances and directing little-known comic book or graphic novel movies. Some come off as a success, while others leave you wishing they had not jumped from the page to the silver screen.

Two movies I watched this month are in this emerging genre. Kick-Ass, which since this is a family-friendly magazine shall henceforth be dubbed “Kick-butt,” and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Kick-butt (out on DVD) was directed by the little-known Matthew Vaughn, who directed 2007’s fantasy romp Stardust. Mr. Vaughn is about to get more famous, as he is on tap to direct the revamped X-Men movie (X-Men: First Class) and the sequel to Kick-Butt.

The film is about geeky Dave Lizewski who decides to become a super hero, though he has no skills. He pretty much gets demolished by bad guys, but gets better at things as the movie moves along. Helping him on his quest are two superheroes- an ex-cop and his 11-year-old daughter. The ex-cop hero is played by Nicholas Cage, who was in just about every movie this year.

This film had a lot of fun moments, but is definitely too violent for children or the faint of heart. Kick-butt received a lot of criticism for the 11-year-old super hero’s character, Hit-Girl, since she perpetrated most of the gory violence and had a mouth on her that would make even the raunchiest sailor blush.

My take on it: split. The violence part didn’t bother me so much. In fact it was pretty cool to see that little girl take down all those evil goons. But that’s me, I root for underdogs. Now as to her language, I think a lot of that was unnecessary and put in to get a rise out of people, which it did. I personally didn’t like it and don’t know why her parents ever approved the script, but what can you do? Maybe her mom was standing off-set with a bar of soap ready to wash out her mouth. Or maybe she had a personal assistant to do it.

Overall the movie was a pretty fun romp, but probably not one for the kids or for watching with those easily offended.

The second film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (in theaters) was strange yet fun. I can easily describe it as a video game/music nerd (like my husband or brother) doing drugs and then writing movie script.

The film was directed by Edgar Wright, who brought us two of my favorite funny movies – Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. He tried to bring his humor to America, and while I liked Scott Pilgrim, I prefer the British ones.

There were a lot of fun video game references in this movie, especially if you are a classic video game nut. The film is about slacker and musician Scott Pilgrim, who though 22 and dating a high school student, meets another girl and falls for her. In the first half hour of this movie, it takes a lot to get to like Scott. Anyway, as he starts dating the new chick, he learns he must defeat her seven evil exes (not ex-boyfriends, since there is a girl in the mix).

Each ex has some mystical powers; my favorite was the vegan, who because of his pure eating became telepathic.

The funny part about the battles is the set up before the fight, with the “vs.” across the screen, just like in a video game. And when Scott defeats someone, they turn into coins, just like in a game.

This movie has a lot of silliness, so you have to take it for what it’s worth. And there is some gay humor, so it’s probably best to avoid the movie if you are offended by that sort of thing.

Overall, both movies are enjoyable and fun, but watch without the kids, and avoid if you are squeamish, are easily offended, or can’t handle weirdness.

Enjoy!