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TV Review: ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’
(L to R) Mark Webber as Stephen Stills, Alison Pill as Kim Pine and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Premiering on Netflix November 17th, anime series ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ is the latest adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s cult graphic novel series, published between August 2004 and July 2010 by Oni Press.

It was first brought to big screens by director Edgar Wright, whose ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ was released in 2010. It didn’t do well at the box office, but became a cult favorite, and is still seen as a successful translation of the source material to screens.

Which means that ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ has even more to prove, following both the original books and the movie. Yet, as it turns out, this animated TV version is more than up to the challenge.

Does Scott Pilgrim successfully cross over into anime?

Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

If you’re a fan of the ‘Scott Pilgrim’ graphic novels, you’ll probably have been anticipating this one, not least because it boasts the movie’s cast on voice duties.

It is a relief, then, to report that ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ is a roaring success, which is both faithful to the original story but finds fascinating new paths to take –– about which we wish we could say more, but to do so would spoil the fun.

Suffice to say, the initial episode of the show follows almost entirely faithfully along the story of the first book, introducing us once more to Scott’s frosty Toronto existence. He’s a nervy slacker who plays in a bad rock band and is (sort of) dating a highschooler.

And yet Scott is also, apparently, one of the best fighters in the area, since the ‘Pilgrim’ world is one where spontaneous, video game-style battles break out when people are fighting for reasons including winning over someone they have a crush on.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

That’s Scott’s challenge when he meets the beautiful, mysterious Ramona Flowers, an American transplant still smarting from a bad breakup with some serious baggage. He becomes somewhat obsessed with her, partly because she rollerblades through his dreams (turns out his subconscious mind is a hyperspace portal that knocks miles off Ramona’s route as a DVD delivery worker… yes, you really do need to key into the story’s specific oddness).

So, when one of Ramona’s ex-boyfriends show up to challenge him to a fight, Scott is only to ready to leap into action.

It’s there that O’Malley and TV co-writer BenDavid Grabinski (‘Happily’) really get to show off the imaginative drive of the show, as they find truly interesting new ways to tell the story.

Related Article: The Movie Cast of ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ is Back in the Trailer For New Anime Series

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’: Script and Direction

(L to R) Mark Webber as Stephen Stills, Alison Pill as Kim Pine and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

The writers, who clearly knew that another completely faithful adaptation would be viewed as unnecessary, make some real leaps here, getting a lot of mileage out of experimenting with the basic story engine. It allows for characters who in the book and movie are mostly side players to get their moments to shine –– and truly expands upon the story.

This could well be considered a multiverse variant of ‘Scott Pilgrim’, one that enriches the experience without forgetting what makes it work. The characters feel authentic, and the emotions are still real, even with all the craziness going on around them.

And while Wright was able to pull off some impressive action in his movie version (employing some nifty effects and a creative stunt team), the anime nature of the show means it can go far further in its depiction of the different battles.

Chris Evans as Lucas Lee in Scott ‘Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Director Abel Gongora brings audacious visual panache to the whole series, whether it is two characters fighting in a plane as it crashes, or paparazzi photographers portrayed as a pack of ninjas.

The anime style fits with the book’s illustration, then brings them to life in vivid and various ways. And the music, meanwhile, is a perfect blend of entirely new material and songs that cropped up in the film. This is the perfect mix of the source and its original adaptation.

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’: Performances

The voice cast of ‘Scott Pilgrim’ Anime Series.

Gathering the movie’s cast back (albeit in isolated recording booths, since the actors have gone on to much bigger, busier careers in the years since release) proves to be another winning aspect of the new production.

Michael Cera, of course, is still great as a low-key Scott, while Kieran Culkin still steals scenes as his unwitting roommate Wallace Wells, who has even more snark to deliver here. Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Ramona gets to be more than a love interest, while the likes of Satya Bhabha’s Matthew Patel and Johnny Simmons’ Young Neil are expanded far beyond their minor roles in the story.

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’: Final Thoughts

(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.

In a year where the comic book genre has taken something of a beating, this off-beat blend of video games, romance, rock and comedy is the ideal antidote. It’ll please fans of both the book and movie and looks unlike anything out there on TV at the moment.

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ ranks among the best of genre on small screens this year. As the o omnipresent video game announcer might declare, “Winner!”

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ receives 9 out of 10 stars.

Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

What’s the story of ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off?

Adapted by Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ follows the title character (voiced by Michael Cera) as he falls in love with New Yorker Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).

But in order to date her, he must defeat all seven of her evil exes. Then things get even more complicated.

Who else is in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’?

Thanks to the intervention of Edgar Wright, the entire movie cast is back alongside Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
- Kieran Culkin as Wallace Wells
- Anna Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim
- Brie Larson as Envy Adams
- Alison Pill as Kim Pine
- Aubrey Plaza as Julie Powers
- Johnny Simmons as young Neil
- Mark Webber as Stephen Stills
- Ellen Wong as Knives Chau
- Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel
- Chris Evans as Lucas Lee
- Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram
- Jason Schwartzman as Gideon Graves
- Mae Whitman as Roxie Richter
(L to R) Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim and Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World:’
- ‘Once‘ (2007)
- ‘Hot Fuzz‘ (2007)
- ‘Adventureland‘ (2009)
- ‘In the Loop‘ (2009)
- ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story‘ (2010)
- ‘50/50‘ (2011)
- ‘Submarine‘ (2011)
- ‘Win Win‘ (2011)
- ‘What We Do in the Shadows‘ (2015)
Buy ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ On Amazon
November 19, 2023
‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Series Trailer
Though it never became the giant blockbuster it honestly deserved to be, Edgar Wright’s ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ –– adapted from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s cult comic book series –– quickly picked up its own strong following.

And now it is coming back to our screens as an eight-episode Netflix anime series and will boast voice performances from pretty much the entire original movie cast, including Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman and Ellen Wong.
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What’s the story of ‘Scott Pilgrim’?

Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

The new series is a fresh, yet recognizable adaptation of O’Malley’s original books, which chronicle how slacker Scott (Cera) goes from dating the enthusiastic Knives Chau (Ellen Wong) to becoming obsessed with the cool courier Ramona Flowers (Winstead).

Trouble is, when Scott starts dating Ramona, he learns he’ll also have to battle her seven evil ex-boyfriends (and one ex-girlfriend) to unlock the power of love and truly win her heart. You know: that old boy-meets-girl-boy-fights-exes-learns-life-lessons story.

Set in “the magical land of Toronto”, the story also brings in garage bands (since Scott plays with a scruffy local outfit called ‘Sex Bob-Om’), crazy video game references and dueling musical acts. Part of Scott’s problem is that he also has an ex, Envy Adams (Larson), who has since gone on to become a huge rock star.

Who else will lend their voices to the series?

(L to R) Brie Larson as Envy Adams and Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Evans will be Lucas Lee, one of the exes, while Routh plays Todd Ingram, Envy’s new boyfriend and bandmate. Plaza is aboard as Scott’s sweary nemesis Julie Powers, while Anna Kendrick is his sister, Stacey. Schwartzman, meanwhile, is calculating ultimate evil ex Gideon Graves.

Fellow Sex Bob-Om bandmates include Young Neil (Johnny Simmons), Stephen Stills (Mark Webber) and Kim Pine (Pill).

Related Article: ‘Scott Pilgrim’ Movie Cast To Return for New Anime Series

Edgar Wright talks the new adaptation

(L to R) Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim and Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Wright had this to say about the new series:

“One of the proudest and most enjoyable achievements of my career was assembling and working with the dynamite cast of ‘Scott Pilgrim’. Since the film’s release in 2010 we’ve done Q&A’s, remembrances and charity read throughs, but there was never the occasion to reunite the whole gang on an actual project. Until now… Original creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, along with writer BenDavid Grabinski have conjured up an anime series of ‘Scott Pilgrim’ that doesn’t just expand the universe, but also…well, just watch it. I’m more than happy to announce that I have helped coax the entire original cast back to voice their characters on this epic new adventure. You are in for a treat.”

As a movie, the story was fun, and stylish and from the looks of this first trailer, the series will be able to both replicate the style of O’Malley’s graphic novel work while also expanding on the craziness (dinosaurs!)

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ hits Netflix on November 17th.

(L to R) Mark Webber as Stephen Stills, Alison Pill as Kim Pine and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

(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.

(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.

Chris Evans as Lucas Lee in Scott ‘Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

(L to R) Mark Webber as Stephen Stills, Alison Pill as Kim Pine and Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.’ Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World:’
- ‘Once‘ (2007)
- ‘Hot Fuzz‘ (2007)
- ‘Adventureland‘ (2009)
- ‘In the Loop‘ (2009)
- ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story‘ (2010)
- ‘50/50‘ (2011)
- ‘Submarine‘ (2011)
- ‘Win Win‘ (2011)
- ‘What We Do in the Shadows‘ (2015)
Where to Stream and Watch: ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’

Buy ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ On Amazon
August 16, 2023
‘Up Here’ Interviews: Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes
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Premiering on Hulu March 24th is the new musical romantic comedy ‘Up Here,’ which was created by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson (‘Dear Evan Hansen’) and Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (‘Frozen’).

What is the plot of ‘Up Here?’

A musical romantic comedy set in New York City in the waning days of 1999, following the extraordinary story of one ordinary couple, Lindsay (Mae Whitman) and Miguel (Carlos Valdes), as they fall in love and discover that the single greatest obstacle to finding happiness together might just be themselves – and the treacherous world of memories, obsessions, fears and fantasies that lives inside their heads.

Who is in the Cast of ‘Up Here?’

‘Up Here’ stars Mae Whitman (‘Independence Day’), Carlos Valdes (‘The Flash’), Katie Finneran (‘Freaky’), John Hodgman (‘Pitch Perfect 2’), Andréa Burns (‘In the Heights’), Sophia Hammons (‘Under Wraps’), Emilia Suárez (‘A Good Person’) and Scott Porter (‘The To Do List’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes about their work on ‘Up Here,’ auditioning, being in a musical, and the voices in their characters’ heads.

(L to R) Carlos Valdes and Mae Whitman attend the TCA Press Event for Hulu’s ‘Up Here’ at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena, CA on January 14th, 2023.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Whitman, Valdes, Katie Finneran, and Andréa Burns, as well as executive producers Steven Levenson, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, and Thomas Kail.

Moviefone: To begin with, Mae, what was your first reaction to reading the script and realizing that you would be singing and dancing in this series?

Mae Whitman: I was terrified, truly terrified, and shaking in my boots. Because I had lots of meetings with everyone and I loved them all. We spoke over Zoom. I was like, so not only is this script brilliantly funny, meaningful, deep, and special, but this character is so layered and incredible. The arc is amazing, but this music, the concept of doing something that terrifies me, even though I really am scared to do it, I feel like it’s the only thing that gets me excited anymore. So being able to go there, I was so scared but I had so much support from my friends and family making me feel confident. My voice teacher, Doug Peck, who prepared me, I would never have done it without him. But the audition process was just wild because you have to stand there in front of a bunch of Broadway people and put your music down and be like, “Yeah, let’s do this in the key of whatever.” I was like, “I just don’t have that confidence.” So I was genuinely terrified. But I have to say, because you’re working with these incredible professionals who are genuinely at the top of their game, they know how to make you feel comfortable and they want what you bring to it. I always felt so safe, so seen, so trusted and respected, and I think that was the vibe in every category on set, and I think it allowed for some really great work, hopefully.

Mae Whitman stars in Hulu’s ‘Up Here.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.

MF: Carlos, what was the casting process like for you?

Carlos Valdes: Quite a handful, but eventually I got the part. It was a process I was pretty familiar with though. Coming in, singing a song, doing the scenes and stuff like that. That part I was pretty comfortable with, but I had never done the musical TV mixture before, so there was definitely an element of unknown in the process that made it a little scary. But it’s like when Mae was saying, “I’m motivated by the scary parts.” I like doing stuff that is a little outside my comfort zone, and this was definitely that.

Carlos Valdes stars in Hulu’s ‘Up Here.’ Photo: Sarah Shatz/Hulu.

MF: Lindsay and Miguel actually hear the voices of their friends and family complimenting and criticizing them in their head. Mae, what voices do you hear talking to you in your head?

MW: God, it’s hard to say. You know what it is for me? I’ve always pictured because I think my defense mechanisms maybe came into place when I was little because I started working when I was so little, that to me, they look like fun monsters. One has a Medusa head that has all these different options and is about overthinking, and then there’s one that’s a big furry bear that’s like, “You’re a baby, let me hold you.” But I’m like, “I’m a grownup.” For me, it’s like I have these imaginary friends. It’s not really people, it’s just different iterations of myself that show up in these cartoonishly childish ways and I have to be like, “Okay, you guys, I hear you. I see you. I appreciate you. I’m going to go ahead and drive the bus now, but y’all can go sit down and enjoy the ride if you want.”

(L to R) Carlos Valdes and Andrea Burns in Hulu’s ‘Up Here.’ Photo: Sarah Shatz/Hulu.

MF: Finally, Carlos, can you talk about the voices in Miguel’s head and his relationship with his mother?

CV: Andréa (Burns), she brought this amazing quality to that character that I definitely feel echoes my own upbringing with my own mom. You know what I mean? There was a sensibility that she really captured in that character that made it feel very real for me. I think to a certain extent, we all have our parents in our heads in some capacity, and I feel like sometimes I have that in my head. I mean, to be honest with you, all the voices in my head are really just one voice, and that guy’s an a-hole.

(L to R) Carlos Valdes and Mae Whitman in Hulu’s ‘Up Here.’ Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.

Movies Similar to ‘Up Here:’
- ‘Vanilla Sky‘ (2001)
- ‘The Prom‘ (2020)
- ‘In the Heights‘ (2021)
- ‘Meet Cute‘ (2022)
- ‘Big Gold Brick‘ (2022)
- ‘I Love My Dad‘ (2022)
- ‘Raymond & Ray‘ (2022)
- ‘Don’t Make Me Go‘ (2022)
Buy Mae Whitman Movies on Amazon
March 25, 2023
‘Good Girls’ Renewed for Third Season at NBC

NBC

The women of “Good Girls” will be back for a third season.

The series, which stars Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman and Retta as friends who rob their local supermarket and then get swept up in money laundering, was created by Jenna Bans.

“We’re so excited to continue following the friendship and adventures of these three incredible women while also exploring relatable issues in both funny and surprising ways,” said Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, co-presidents of scripted programming at NBC Entertainment. “Congratulations to Jenna Bans, and our amazing writers, cast and crew who give these stories depth and humanity.”

The show’s second season, which ends on May 19, is averaging 2.4 million total live viewers and a delayed viewing (live +7 days), average of 4.1 million total viewers.

“Good Girls” now joins NBC’s previously renewed dramas “The Blacklist,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago PD,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “New Amsterdam.” Also renewed for the 2019-2020 season, comedies “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Good Place,” “Superstore” and “Will & Grace.”

[Via Variety]

April 12, 2019
‘Parenthood’ Reunion! Mae Whitman Joins ‘Gilmore Girls’ Revival Alongside Lauren Graham

Mae Whitman, who starred alongside Lauren Graham on NBC’s “Parenthood,” will reunite with her onetime onscreen mom in the upcoming “Gilmore Girls” revival.

TVLine reports that Whitman has signed on for the revival in a cameo role, though the specifics are being closely guarded for now. What the site can tell us, however, is that Whitman “shares a really fun (albeit small) moment with Graham that will delight ‘Parenthood’ fans.”

Graham played mom Sarah Braverman to Whitman’s daughter Amber for six seasons on the NBC drama, though of course, her portrayal of Lorelai, mother of Alexis Bledel’s Rory on “Gilmore,” preceded that show. Could the scene between Graham and Whitman perhaps have something to do with the awkwardness of Graham’s two TV daughters colliding? Whitman hilariously pointed out the (fake) tension between herself and Bledel when the pair met last summer.

Regardless of the specifics, we’re excited to see the pair together again onscreen. And considering Whitman is a huge “Gilmore” fan, we’re glad that she’s able to realize her dream of visiting Stars Hollow. If only the rest of us were so lucky.

The “Gilmore Girls” revival is set to hit Netflix sometime later this year.

[via: TVLine]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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March 22, 2016
9 Reasons Why ‘Independence Day’ Is Still Cool As Sh–

If you don’t watch “Independence Day” on July 4th, you’re not a true American. Here’s why this movie rules.

July 4, 2015
Best of Late Night TV: Snoop Dogg’s Plizzanet Earth and Craig Robinson’s Jam Session (VIDEO)

If you’re like us and value your sleep, you probably nodded off into your Ambien dreamland before the party started on post-prime time TV. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best of what happened last night on late night.

Time for another addition of Plizzanet Earth with Snoop Dogg, who stopped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to muse on –– what else? An enormous cold-blood seal humping an innocent penguin. It goes without saying that his profound thoughts are not to be missed. Also, why hasn’t Animal Planet picked up this show yet?

Kelly Ripa also stopped by “Kimmel,” and Jimmy shared a super old-school clip of her chatting about how men and women should alternate paying for dinner. Sigh, a progressive feminist even when rocking an 80s perm and a turtleneck, guys. Also, please prepare yourself for the best dance moves you’ve ever seen.

Time for a game of Word Sneak on “The Tonight Show!” This week’s contestant was comedy legend Martin Short, who had to work random words into a casual conversation with Jimmy Fallon. Our favorites include Bill Paxton, fishsticks, enchiladas and back hair.

Mae Whitman visited “Late Night” (sob, RIP “Parenthood”), and told Seth Meyers that she’s made out with not one, not two, but three “Friday Night Lights” cast members. Living the dream, to be honest.

Over on “Late Show,” Don Cheadle chatted about the first time he went to The Oscars and was told by some angry paparazzi to “get the f–– out of the way” because Cher and Jack Nicholson were coming through. Honestly, it’s a realistic hazard of trying to share the spotlight with Cher.

Finally, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke and Adam Scott teamed up on “Conan” to play a live rendition of the song from Flashdance…only with customized lyrics about “Hot Tub Time Machine 2.” It was literally, utterly and completely amazing. And no, those electric guitars are not plugged in.
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February 20, 2015