Scott Pilgrim vs. the World re-release!

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was meant for re-release on its 10th anniversary in 2020, it first opened on August 2010.  The director, Edgar Wright, and cast are almost always game for any event promoting the movie.  On November 12, 2010, there was a Blu Ray signing, this was at Amoeba Records at its former location.  The attendees featured the director, creator, Bryan Lee O’Malley, and ten members of the cast including Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Jason Schwartzman. In July 10, 2020, there was a cast reunion to read the screenplay by Michael Bacall with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Water Crisis. This was to benefit Water for People.  Some of the cast members played multiple parts, Jason Schwartzman was narrator, while O’Malley was busy with sketches.  The full event is available from Entertainment Weekly; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKqKLnsmoK4.   The re-release returned to AMC theaters on April 30th and ended today on April 2nd.  

So I was able to attend the Sunday screening and found it interesting to see the new procedures with the opening of theaters.  First, buying the ticket online, there were sections blocked and the capacity was limited.  There was a hand sanitizing unit at the ticket taking booth.  It seemed like all of the patrons wore masks and also wore them properly.  There was a queue at the food and drink area that appeared to be properly spaced.  Also there was a line of people patiently waiting to fill their drinks at the machines. I noted online that there were interesting cleaning procedures.  This is listed in the AMC Safe & Clean section of their website.  It notes there is “Maximized Fresh Air Flow & MERV 13 Filters.”  The filters “capture the tiniest of droplets”, which is better than the “industry standard MERV 8 filter.”  This was my concern.  I was worried if the air is re-circulated throughout all of the theaters.  No.  It is fresh air, not too cold, and comfortable.  It also noted that extra time between show times are used to clean and disinfect the auditoriums.

So I found my seat, it was distant enough that I almost couldn’t hear the popcorn crunching.  There were workers with flashlights walking the aisles and checking.  I’m not certain for what specifically, but I imagine it is to see if there was proper distance, no seat hopping before the movie.  This was an additional step that I did not notice when I saw New Mutants in October of last year.  Ok, I have to note that I was impressed by the AMC logo, the immersive sound is something you have to experience.  Then, the trailers played and I loved all of them.  New for me was the drama, Dream Horse, out on May 21st with Toni Collette and Damian Lewis.  It was charming and funny.  Next was Cruella, opening on May 28th, it is too cool to miss in theaters, I probably will bypass paying for it on Disney+.  I’ve seen this trailer before, but loved In The Heights, it has become my most anticipated movie this year.  Set for June 11th.  

I like the trailer for Free Guy, I’ve seen it before, but seeing it on screen makes me put this on my must-see list.  The action sci fi film with Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, and Lil Rel Howery, re-loads in theaters August 13th.  I think one of the last ones was F9, opening on June 25th, it was the only trailer that just ok, I like Han’s appearance and the line by Helen Mirren’s Queenie, but that’s about it.  Back to Scott Pilgrim, I’ve seen it many times on the small screen, it is not the same.  Since it is a familiar movie, I was toe tapping to the songs, know the lyrics and just have fun with the characters and scenes.  I think this was the problem with repeat viewings, when I saw the film this time, I believe I was paying more attention.  The set-up of Envy Adams and Scott’s previous girlfriends.  I was cringing at Scott’s dishonest relationships and loved Ramona just ducking around her x’s.  Back to the sound, you need to go to a theater, watching any movie on the small screen is not ok.  I felt the bass thrumming through my seat.  There are sound effects that are powerful with the theater’s sound system.  Also, the shared experience of audiences laughing and reacting to scenes.  You don’t have that at home systems, this is strangers, you don’t know their identities.  I would go back again and again to see one of my favorite films, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World! 

#ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld, #EdgarWright, #MichaelCena, #MaryElizabethWinstead, #AMC