When the cast of a beloved property reunites for a sequel or spinoff, it’s very rarely as good as the original—because you can never quite capture that magic again. But Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is here to throw out the rules and slam us with some new ones. Featuring the cast of 2010’s iconic Scott Pilgrim vs. The World—who hilariously reconnected when Michael Cera revived an old cast email chain after nine years as if no time had passed—Scott Pilgrim Takes Off gives them the animated treatment for a bombastic series that captures the true SP experience.
Instead of doing a straight animated retelling, the series brings in the delicious essence of the world Scott Pilgrim exists in and molds it into something entirely its own. Yes, SP fans will get all their fave references sprinkled in, except this time around, the story asks: What if the Seven Evil Exes won?
Okay, let’s rewind: In Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Scott (Michael Cera) is the bassist of the indie band Sex Bob-omb, and he’s been having a lot of dreams lately. In those dreams, he meets the gorgeous, enigmatic, and totally badass Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)—what else can he do except fall hopelessly in love with her? But when Scott is challenged by the first of her Seven Evil Exes to win Ramona’s heart, he’s defeated in the first round. That sends the SP story into an alternate timeline retelling, as Scott’s friends figure out life without him, while Ramona refuses to believe he’s truly gone and heads on an interdimensional investigation.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off feels like the original comic leapt off the page and onto the screen, complete with comic book panel-style action sequences and a hefty amount of sparkles. The art style is gorgeous and fluid, pulling you all the way into its rainbow clutches for an action-packed ride. The animated format allows the fantastical elements to pop and makes the story possibilities limitless. This version isn’t bound by the laws of physics or even by this plane of existence and that’s where things really take off (pardon the pun).
The music is also phenomenal, matched only by the voice acting that brings new fire to each cherished character. You can feel the quirky and offbeat nature in every line, with songs carefully designed to rock your world. The rapid-fire quips have always made the Scott Pilgrim universe zing and they’re in full force here (and I’d expect nothing less). You can tell the level of passion and love for the property that went into this; not a single second is wasted here.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a joy to watch, bringing new life to the SP-verse and paying glorious homage to the original movie, while making something entirely its own. This is how retellings should be done; it’s the ultimate balance between beloved and fresh.
