SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

ANALYSIS

By Danielle Page

In the opening, the film has the Universal Studios logo, this has

been pixelated to look like a video game, and also the music

continues the theme. This establishes the genre of adventure

comedy.

The voice over at the start sets the scene; the voice of a

deep male voice imitates the voice of a video game. The

deep voice shows that it’s sort of aimed at males.

Expositional dialogue is used within the opening; this is

used to make sure the audience have grasped the plot.

“Scott Pilgrim is dating a high-schooler.” “How old are you

now Scott, like 28?” the extra use of his name puts

emphasis on the main character.

The profiling within the film adds to the general theme of

video games/comics. “Rating: awesome” adds to the

humour, this makes the genre more obvious. The sound

effects used while Scott and his friends are talking are like

video game coin collecting, this continues the theme of

video games/comic books.

Onomatopoeias are used throughout the whole film; it confirms the

genre and continues the theme of the comic book.

Expansion of space has been used to emphasis the feelings towards

the band, the proximity between the band and the audience

simulates a stage. The writing frames the band and emphasises

them. The writing is white, red and green. These colours are

typically on the screen of a retro gaming device; this continues the

theme of gaming. The background of the credits is also retro; this

continues the theme of video games and comic books.

CAMERAWORK

A lot of different camera angles were used in the opening. In

conversation, a lot of over-the-shoulder shots and two shots

were used; they are used to follow conversation and show

proximity and the relationship between the characters. Close

ups are used a lot in pairing with profiling; this shows the

character in more detail and makes you more familiar with

them. Long shots are used to set the scene also, they show

the inside of the house which intrigues the audience more as

it’s a typical students house and makes us want to continue

watching.

EDITING

The onomatopoeias and profiles are used effectively,

they show character and show action. The pace of

the editing doesn’t change too much, it is all quite

slow paced transitions, this gives the movie a relaxed

feel.

This shows quite a small, bland room (a typical student’s room) the computer

in the shot is very old, showing that they don’t have that much money,

emphasising the fact that they are students. The characters are sitting very

near each other, this portrays the sort of relationship that they have.

MISE-EN-SCENE

Profiling is used well in this shot. The mise-en-scéne shows similar to other slide;

this is a 1 room flat that Scott lives in with one of his friends. The shot that is being

used puts Scott’s friend in the foreground on a chair, reading the newspaper, this is

usually associated with authority and it proves correct due to the profiling. Bland

colours are used to show it’s an environment that hasn’t been personalized yet,

emphasising the typical laziness of a student.

This phone call has been split, this shows conversation and being able to watch the

conversation makes it more interesting for the audience. This is the first time we hear

about Scott’s ex, and this is where the story becomes clear that Scott clearly has

issues with his past relationships. His ex is referred to as “she who will not be named”

this tells the audience a little bit more about Scott’s past and it draws the audience in.

WHAT I L IKE AB OUT THE OPENING

I like the film opening as it’s consistent with the genre, the

theme and brings you into the vulnerability of Scott’s love

life. Using enigma codes ensures that the audience wants

more.