Scott Pilgrim analysis

1. Scott Pilgrim vs.
the World
Analysis

2. Questions
• How is this episode postmodern (pomo features)
• How can you apply/relate Baurillard theory
• How can you apply/relate Focault theory
• How does it differ or challenge other media (could compare to other current
media or traditional media)
• How is it similar to other media? (could be other platforms)
• What type of audience is this film made for?
• What types of technology and media are explored in Scott Pilgrim?

3. How is it postmodern?
• Intertextuality: This film references a wide variety of
different media, From video games such as Street
Fighter and Mortal Kombat, to comic books, to
Bollywood musicals.
• Bricolage: Action, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
• Meta: Each scene features numbers or an ‘X’ of
some sort to represent the exes that Scott must
defeat, Character ‘Knives Chow’ (Backwards in
Chinese – Chow Knives which is a plot spoiler),
Breaks the 4th wall (Scott’s sister), Shot as it if were a
video game but also features a scene meant to look
like a sitcom

4. How can you apply
Baurillard’s theory?
• Hyper reality: The film blends reality and simulation
with Scott living out the ‘typical’ teenage life but also
having to battle ‘enemies’ in the style of an old arcade
fighter.

5. How can you apply
Foucault’s theory?
Panopticism and Voyeurism
o The plot of the film as about a boy trying to win
over a girl
o However this film, through the representation of
a video game, shows a much more unrealistic
version of this scenario with Scott literally having
to battle in order get closer to Ramona

6. How does it differ or
challenge other media?
• Edgar Wright’s combination of a variety of genres means
Scott Pilgrim is a bricolage which differs from many
existing media texts that ‘traditionally’ consist of one or
two genres such as action and adventure.
• This film also blends the unrealistic nature of video
games and super her movies with a seemingly ‘real’
world. It seems that Ramona’s exes having unnatural
powers is considered normal to everyone else and isn't
questioned.

7. How is it similar
to other media?
• Similarly to modern media texts, Scott Pilgrim features a large
amount of intertextual references:
 Star Wars (swipe transitions)
 Kill Bill (Final battle)
 Fighting Games (Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter)
 Scott Pilgrim Comic Books
There are many existing texts that feature narratives where regular people
possess unnatural powers/abilities and are tasked with defeating some form of
evil whilst saving others. The film represents Scott Pilgrim as a character in a
video game who must defeat the enemy, in this case, Ramona’s evil ex
boyfriends.

8. What type of audience is this
film made for?
• Personally, this film is made for general audiences. Even though
the text is full of old and often obscure references, it is more likely
that these were for the director’s sake instead of the audience’s.
• Although some may understand what Edgar Wright it referencing,
many will not (especially those with a lack of knowledge of retro
video games)
• This could one of the reasons to why this film was not financially
successful, a large portion of the audience was unable to identify
what was happening and why.

9. What types of technology and
media
are explored?
• The text has used technology to portray references that have been
taken or influenced by past media texts
• There are many references to mediums of the previous generations
which, for many, allows for a satisfying nostalgic sensation
Media Themes:
• Romantic Narrative: Scott trying to win Ramona's heart
• ‘Getting what you want’: Scott wants to be Ramona’s boyfriend but
has to defeat her 7 exes
• Superhero/powers: Scott gains the abilities that only come in video
games

10. Concept of
narrative• Fairly Linear in the sense that it shows the beginning and
end of Scott’s attempt to be Ramona’s boyfriend
• However, the narrative is also non-linear because there
are multiple inclusions to the back stories of Ramona’s
exe, which hinder the progression of the narrative
• The film does follow the traditional ‘plot’ line featuring
a beginning, middle and end while following the
development of a main character, in this case, Scott’s
attempt to defeat Ramona’s exes and ultimately win her
heart.