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.