Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the new anime series on Netflix based on the cult classic film, lacks the charm of the movie, and has some big issues.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (L to R) Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim and Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
I should preface this review by saying that Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is one of my favorite movies. Ever. It was my favorite film of the year it was released and I revisit it every few months. So the excitement and anticipation level for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was high. Really high. Probably too high.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (L to R) Kieran Culkin as Wallace Wells and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off . Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
This Netflix series is the anime version of the movie, or so we thought. Instead, it is quite different and unfortunately lacks a lot of the charm that the film has. It starts off with what feels like a shot for shot remake, with the first episode covering a lot of the beginning of the film. However things drastically change when Evil Ex #1, Matthew Patel, shows up. Here, the story completely diverts. It is here that this series loses one of the best aspects of it — Scott Pilgrim.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (L to R) Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
Minor spoiler: At the end of episode one, Scott Pilgrim “dies”. He is turned into coins and well, that is the end of that. Funeral and everything. So now this Scott Pilgrim series becomes more about Ramona Flowers. Yes, the other characters have their moments, and the League of Evil Exes becomes a lot more fleshed out and prominent, but Scott is (almost) no where to be found.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off . Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
While it is very exciting to have the original actors from the movie back to voice their characters in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the anime style takes a lot away from their facial expressions and mannerisms that worked so well the first time around.
This is very much an anime, rather than an animated series. Eyes go big or small, as do mouths, depending on what the character is feeling. But one of the best parts of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is just how subtle a lot of the line delivery is.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (L to R) Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
Split into eight episodes, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off moves at a decent pace. We are given more time with the characters, getting to know them better. This almost feels like an alternate dimension than fans have been to before. I’m not mad at, but I do have issues.
Still, there is enough fun to be had, and surprises in store, for those who want to see these characters again. An easy binge, perfect for taking up your free time on a weekend.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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About Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers, but learns he must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her. Then things get even more complicated. Based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is streaming on Netflix now.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for almost ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association, Hollywood Critics Association, and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.