Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010) — Art of the Title
The Universal title at the start is given the feel of a 90s arcade game (0.00-0.21). This helps to give us an idea of the theme of the movie. Then the proper titles come on when the music is playing(3.03). The titles are flashy, bright and quick changing. There is moving images in the background with a name of a person involved in the movie in the middle of the screen. The titles also flicker like an old movie projector, and give that sort of feel. The titles are very animated (3.14). In this opening scene, 3D titles come up to explain some things, such as the writing and narration at the start, explaining how Scott Pilgrim is going out with a High School Girl (0.23). Short 'profiles' come up to explain to us who people are, which is another feature usually associated, when people are being introduced for example to the members of a band (1.48) . Most of all, the titles move perfectly and are perfectly in sync with the music the band are playing, which is very important for a movie/story that music is a large part of. The title of the movie itself, 'shakes' with the buzz from the music (3.10).
Music
Throughout the whole movie, the music reflects the 'virtual world' theme the movie is going for. Quickly for the 'Universal' titles, the music is very polyphonic and sounds like music in the style of a 90s arcade game such as Pacman(At 0.00 in the video for the titles). As I have mentioned of the titles, the music is all in sync with what is going on in the movie. The music is always very loud and flashy rock music, that effectively helps to keep attention. In the video for the titles, the music starts at 2.45 and it immediately very loud and vibrant. The beat of the music helps to keep us in tune with what is going on, as it is very catchy. Throughout other parts of the movie, the music is largely non diegetic through other parts, and very dark and mysterious sounding(for example, 0.07 in the video) . This helps to show how everchanging things are in the movie. During fight scenes, when the 'vs' animation comes up (for example at 0.49 in the video), the music again comes back to being like a fighting game, such as 'Tekken". The music is mostly beat orientated and fast paced. It is very much fight typical music, with a low bass sound. Sound effects are added in, again sounding like a 90s arcade game to again give the sense of a 'virtual world'.
Shot Types
To add to the virtual feel that is given throughout the movie, most of the shots that are taken are short takes, with a few exceptions. In the fight scenes, each take is only about 2 or 3 seconds long before changing, to help show how frantic the situation is (for example 0.49 in the above video used for music) There is a lot more examples in the video above. Long takes are often used to an effect. In the video above there is a long take at 0.21 to show how time is moving for Scott and to emphasise his sadness. Also, slow motion shots are often shown in the fight scenes of the movie, as shown in the video above used for the music again (0.41, 1.33 and 2.00). Through all parts of the movie, cuts are used with expansion of time shots to show how quickly everything is moving for the main character, Scott Pilgrim. For example, in the video above (at 1.58), an expansion of time shot is used to show how quickly Scott is getting ready to go. Like most movies, when two characters are talking to each other there is over the shoulder the shots used, and this movie is no different. The OTS shots show that two people are talking as we see their eyelines match. Two shots are also used to great effect, for example at 1.22 in the clip above, a two shot is used to show how Gidian has control over Scott's love, Ramona. At the end of the clip also, at 1.58, close ups are used to show the detail of what Scott is putting on and what he is getting ready to do. The movie uses so many types of camera shots to a great effect.
Mise en Scene
The mise en scene in the movie, like a lot of other aspects, successfully gives the feel of a 'video game'. For example, in the clip used for music, and the clip above, an arena type location is used for the fight scenes. This is similar to what we would see in video games, the large areas available with possibly flashy backgrounds, more clear in the video above, with the flashing red lights. These red lights give a sense of warning during the fight also. If the fights don't happen in an arena type location in the film, they happen outside in the dark, another location likely to be seen in a video game. Also, in the movie, Romana, the girl with green hair in the clip above, has 3 different hair colours throughout the movie, and uses wigs(or maybe hair dye) to effectively show how ever changing and quirky her personality is. A number of weapons are used in the movie for the various fights and battle, and they more than most give the best effect of the video game world the producers are going for (that, as well as how the people who are 'defeated' turn into coins and the score for defeating them coming up). An example of a weapon used in the movie and below in a picture. There is another example in the movie embedded for 'music' with a large glowing blue hammer being used as a weapon.
I would say this movie goes against codes and convections for an action/adventure movie. For this genre, it is quite quirky and even an indie feel to it. It isn't what we expect from this genre really. It has a very 90s arcade style game to it. We have quite a lot of action in it but most of it is what we would expect to see in a video game. The fact that such obviously edited in weapons, such as shown in the picture above, are used is quite unique. The quick cuts and short takes add to this sort of effect, as things move on very fast throughout the movie. But as so often in this kind of movie, there is a happy ending.
Target Audience
The target audience for this movie would be for young adults/late teenagers. The movie would also to an extent target the indie type of person. People who would have played arcade games in their day would be targeted to watch the movie. The movie is a comedy too, which would attract to the people of ages maybe 15-30 most of all, as well as the other factors that would show this kind of audience targeted. The movie isn't quite suitable for kids, despite the fact they might find some of the fight scenes etc very appealing. The movie doesn't really target the older audience as much of about 40+, as there is nothing too complex, and there is quite a modern feel. Also the fact it is all fighting over a girl would attract a kind of young adult audience, who could be in a similar (but obviously not too similar) situation.
Social Groups
The social groups that would fit into this movie would be of a young adult. Scott is looking for a girl in the movie a 22, and doing all he can to win his girl,a s I have mentioned in target audience. This represents young men of this age. The fact that things with the young Girl Ramona could suggest that woman worth fighting for are never quite straightforward. The gay man in this movie is represented rather stereotypically, which wouldn't relate to the taget audience just as well.
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