Best Movie of 2010 - 'Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World'

OK, I have not yet seen all the movies I need to for 2010, but if you were to ask me what my favorite movie of the year is, "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" quickly comes to mind. No other movie was as endlessly entertaining as Edgar Wright's adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley graphic novel series. Describing a film as awesome seems a better fit for the youth of today, but this one truly is just that. It had more creativity than all other 2010 movies, it was perfectly cast, and had amazing visuals to spare. While it's still sad that the movie died a shockingly quick death at the box office, its status as a cult film is not in doubt.

Edgar Wright previously directed two of the most entertaining comedies with "Shaun Of The Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." In retrospect though, both feel like a warm up to this, his first film done with a big budget. Along with cinematographer Bill Pope, they created wonderful visuals which capture the fun of playing old school videogames, and they keep you wondering about what will come next. They also do a beautiful job of capturing the lovely snow and vicious cold that is Toronto in the wintertime. Heck, looking at the characters trudging their way through the icy cold had me shivering in the theater, and I saw this in the summertime in Los Angeles!

Seriously, I mean it when I say this movie was perfectly cast. Many people look at Michael Cera and think he is playing the same character in every single film he does. However, that's not the case when he is playing Scott Pilgrim as he effortlessly captures Scott's goofy nature and doesn't hide the fact that while we may like him, he is not always the nicest person. It's Michael's best acting work to date, and he makes us see that this is not simply a boy meets girl story, but one of a young man trying to earn back his self-respect.

In addition, you have a great cast of actors that leave you thinking that no one else could ever play these characters the way they do. Kieran Culkin steals every scene he's in as Scott's gay roommate Wallace, a man who has perfected the art of texting even while he is sound asleep. You also get two of this year's driest performances from Alison Pill and Aubrey Plaza who take one cynically emotional look on their faces and turn them into a thousand words. Ellen Wong proves to be far more than your average high school girlfriend as Knives Chau, and she has surprises in store throughout. Brandon Routh, the Superman of "Superman Returns," is hilarious as the evil ex with psychic vegan powers, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead perfectly encapsulates the colorful haired girl of our dreams.

What else? Brilliant sight gags, retro video game graphics, and a strong level of unpredictability most movies only dream of having. "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" represents the kind of time I always want to have at the movies but rarely get these days; a fun filled time bursting with endless creativity, and made by a director who thoroughly enjoys making films as much as we do watching them. Some prefer to put serious dramas at the top of their top ten lists for year, but I have no hesitation of putting Edgar Wright's fantastic flick at the top of mine. Here's hoping it will get the audience it deserves in the future.