As a film fanatic in general, I’m usually open to checking out releases of any genre, but today’s cinematic landscape is so polluted to senseless remakes and sequels that it makes any whiff of originality even stronger by comparison. Very rarely do I come across a film that truly attempts to do something truly creative and, in many ways, innovative with its storytelling.

Worse still, these gems often go overlooked, under-appreciated and lacking in the recognition they deserve. This, I assume, is how films first began earning cult followings, as some releases are perhaps too ahead of their time and think too “outside the box” to capture the affection of the general movie-going public. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is one such film.

Based on the comic books by Bryan Lee O’Malley, the film stars Michael Cera (Superbad, TV’s Arrested Development) as the title character, a 22-year-old bass player with a cute teenage girlfriend and a questionable moral compass. However, when he crosses paths with the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Scott finds himself facing off against “The League of Evil Exes” in a series of deadly battles he must win in order to earn Ramona’s heart.

Director Edgar Wright had already established himself a fan favorite director with zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead and its follow-up, Hot Fuzz (he’ll team again with stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost for this month’s The World’s End). However, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World failed to connect at the box office, only gaining steam on home video. The film has since become a growing “midnight movie” favorite nationwide but has yet to receive the acclaim it deserves. Here’s why moviegoers should give this Scott Pilgrim vs. the World another shot.

A Comic Book Movie about Video Games?

It’s true. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World may be based on a hit series of comics, but the film essentially acts as the most faithful video game movie not based on a video game. Everything from Nigel Godrich’s score to the inclusion of old-school gaming staples like coins, life meters and 1-Ups allow Scott Pilgrim vs. the World to serve as a loving tribute to the early days of gaming, adding a whole new level (pun intended) of enjoyment for anyone who’s ever played Super Mario Bros. The structure of the film is even laid out like a fighting game (a motif that also factors into Scott’s relationship with Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), complete with a boss battle in its final act. This bizarre aesthetic helps perpetuate the inherent quirkiness of the film’s tone, foreshadows its true emotional weight (note the use the fictional Ninja Ninja Revolution game early on) and creates an atmosphere that not only brings something wholly original to the world of cinema but offers the best cinematic depiction of a video game world ever.

It’s Silly and It Knows It (Take That, LMFAO!)

In keeping with the hyper-reality the film creates, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is loaded with strange characters, campy moments and all-around weird embellishments of the universe it creates. This is a film where one character possesses psychic powers because of his devotion to a strictly vegan diet. Yeah. That’s the kind of “weird” we’re talking about here. If spontaneous musical numbers, an epic “bass battle” and more over-the-top lines that you can shake a script at (“He punched the highlights out of her hair!”) don’t sound like your idea of a good time, then Scott Pilgrim vs. the World might not be your speed. To the contrary, anyone who cannot suspend their disbelief to the point of oblivion is bound to have their head explode by the end of the film’s 112-minute runtime. However, those viewers who can accept the film’s lovable ridiculousness will notice that Wright and his team have achieved something all-too-rare in Hollywood these days: a film that’s actually fun to watch.

A Cast That’s More than Game

It takes a special kind of cast to truly sell the ultra-specific tone that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World attempts, but luckily for Wright, the film managed to capture a slew of young talented actors to fill each and every role. Cera has become well-known for his awkward comedic sensibility, but his portrayal of Scott Pilgrim anchors the film and, in fact, capitalizes on that persona. In addition to Cera, the world of Scott Pilgrim features around 20 major players, all of whom have their unique parts to play to the titular protagonist’s story. Emerging talent like Aubrey Plaza (Safety Not Guaranteed), Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) and Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) have seen their careers blossom since the film’s release, while more established stars like Chris Evans (The Avengers), Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) and Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) deliver typically strong performances all around. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World either had a hell of a casting director or just got extremely lucky.

Finally a Soundtrack Worth Putting on Repeat

Because the plot of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World centers on the Toronto International Battle of the Bands, it stands to reason that the film would feature a significant amount of original music, largely performed in the film by Scott’s band Sex Bob-Omb (named after a Super Mario character, naturally). Real-life alt-rock star Beck Hansen – whose “Loser” became a breakthrough hit way back in 1994 – composed most of these tracks, which are both endlessly re-listenable (“Threshold” is a personal favorite) and contribute to the Toronto indie music scene in which the film is set, grounding the outrageous proceedings and nicely contrasting with Godrich’s gaming-inspired score. Furthermore, the film employs the use of several standout tracks from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Metric, T. Rex and Frank Black. Each piece of music, whether original or existing, was designed to underscore the emotional undertones of the story at hand and unify Scott Pilgrim vs. the World in a way seldom seen in films of this scope.

All About the L Word (and No, Not “Lesbians”)

This is the hinge on the door of what makes Scott Pilgrim vs. the World such a memorable cinematic experience and one worthy of praise. Even with its wacky script, gifted cast and brilliant direction, the film would be meaningless spectacle without an underlying emotional message. Yet, much like Ramona masks her vulnerability with sarcasm and attitude, the script by Wright and Michael Bacall imbues the film with a brutally honest emotional core hiding beneath its flashy exterior. The League of Evil Exes aside, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a story about putting the demons of the past behind you, taking responsibility for your actions in the present and embracing “the power of self-respect” (which Scott literally earns) and a sense of hope for the future. As hokey as it sounds, the film is all about LOVE, of both the self and the people around you. By the time the credits roll, Scott and Ramona put their former selves (i.e. the “baggage” Ramona mentions) behind them and finally understand that true love starts with acceptance.

To be fair, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is not a film for everyone. As mentioned above, the film’s frenetic pacing, outlandish visuals and nostalgia-woven style will undoubtedly turn some people off to the key attributes I’ve detailed above. Even I can admit that a film’s deeper meaning and individuality hold little merit to an individual viewer if it lacks the basic entertainment value necessary to motivate further consideration. For my part, I hope that this article has at least conveyed why I believe Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is worth your time and why it’s among my favorite films.

Have thoughts, comments or just want to tell me how wrong I am? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and let me know if you’d like to do see me defend more underrated films in future articles.