This Week in DVD & Blu-ray: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Antichrist (Criterion Collection), Grown Ups, and More
Posted on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 by Adam Quigley
This Week in DVD & Blu-ray is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD and Blu-ray releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy and Fry’s.
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
Even as cinematic self-awareness has reached an all-time high in recent years, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World represents a pinnacle of postmodern cultural reflection for the medium. At its core, the film (and the graphic novel on which its based) is a classic love story and coming-of-age tale, but it’s been filtered through very modern sensibilities, playfully satirizing a generation that’s become heavily defined by its pop culture influences—if not outright consumed by them. And how better to convey that than by literalizing those influences? The universe of Scott Pilgrim is one that’s specifically tuned to the zeitgeist of modern youth, populating its world with super powered hipsters, 8-bit weaponry, and death as represented by people bursting into coins. It’s deceptively smart, it’s funny as hell, and best of all, it doesn’t let its appropriately hyperactive mentality prevent the narrative from being driven by the characters. Moreover, the movie is exceptionally well made, featuring wonderfully choreographed, shot and paced action beats, a perfectly realized score from artists including Beck, Metric and Broken Social Scene, and some of the most stunning editing I’ve seen to date. After 8 viewings—none of which marked the slightest hint of diminishing returns—I’m convinced that literally every single scene transition comes equipped with some sort of clever play on location, sound, and/or imagery. Still, I’m not surprised that the picture failed at the box office. Scott Pilgrim is potentially a very alienating film, guaranteed to put off those (read: most audiences) who don’t have an affinity for its pop culture-obsessed stylings. I am confident, however, that the film will build a dedicated following over time, and will hopefully be looked at alongside The Social Network as a film that defined Gen Y in ways no future film is likely to achieve. If not, no matter; that the film exists at all is achievement enough for me.
Available on Blu-ray? Yes.
Notable Extras: DVD – Commentary with director Edgar Wright, co-writer Michael Bacall and Author Bryan Lee O’Malley, a second commentary with Wright and director of photography Bill Pope, a third commentary with Michael Cera, Jason Schwartzman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong and Brandon Routh, a fourth commentary with Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Kieran Culkin and Mark Webber, deleted and alternate scenes with director commentary, bloopers, and a trivia track. Blu-ray – Includes everything on the DVD, as well as alternate footage, featurettes (“Making of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”, “Music”, “You Too Can Be Sex Bob-Omb”, “Visual Effects”, “Sound Work”, “Pre-Production”), production blogs, an Adult Swim Scott Pilgrim vs. The Animation feature, storyboard picture-in-picture, a digital copy of the film, and a copy of the DVD of the film.
| BEST DVD PRICE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Target | Best Buy | Fry’s |
| $17.99 | $17.99 | N/A |
| Amazon – $17.99 | ||
| BEST BLU-RAY PRICE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Target | Best Buy | Fry’s |
| $24.99 | $26.99 | N/A |
| Amazon – $25.99 | ||
