Title: INDIE AIN’T ALWAYS BETTER
Print Status: Available
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Comic ID #6614
Title: INDIE AIN’T ALWAYS BETTER
Print Status: Available
Title: INDIE AIN’T ALWAYS BETTER
Print Status: Available
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It kind of sounds like it was made for people who are already fans (or will become fans between now and then…basically not for casual viewers or people who know nothing about it). Which is not a good way to create and market a film if you want it to make any money.
In contrast, the Kick-Ass trailers were amazing, and got me quite excited for the film, without having read the comic.
Actually, Kick-Ass is a much better example. Thank you, Kris.
Both Kick-Ass and Scott Pilgrim have indie roots (well, maybe not Kick-Ass when you consider Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. put it together), but I didn’t know anything about Kick-Ass and I agree it created more of a stir in it’s initial offering than Pilgrim has.
You are wrong.
Also, I hate the word “hipster,” because it doesn’t mean anything.
Oh thank god, I though I was the only one that realized hipster is a ridiculous word! I’ve seen it used for every thing imaginable – making me think we are probably all hipsters!
Anyways, the trailers pushed me to finish the series – and the last trailer really pleased me as a fan, I think it was also a great cut – didn’t spoil the whole movie and wasn’t – 100% musc video. Scott Pilgrim is a lot of fun, they want audiences to catch that in this short snippet – they will be surprised at the emotional depth the story takes in terms of relationship studies. I don’t know if that’s easy to sell in a trailer though.
In all fairness – Scott is a lazy idiot, but he can kick butt and he’s lovable … I do love Iro Man, but I don’t want to be a self obsessed drunk douche. Nothing against Stark since I still love him. 🙂
Good point on Stark. Drunk and alienated by genius is no way to go through life.
Although, I always found Stark’s weaknesses to be his greatest strengths. If Pilgrim is a lazy idiot (but can kick butt), maybe there’s more about him to like than I originally anticipated!
What a reasonable, unassailable defense, Gordon. ;P
And whaddaya mean “hipster” doesn’t mean anything? It rolls off the tongue easier than “trend-chaser.”
You didn’t say I was supposed to say WHY. 🙂
It’s purely a matter of opinion, really. I love the comics, and I loved the trailer. I can’t put myself in the shoes of someone who isn’t familiar with the comics, so there’s nothing I can disagree with, really.
I just think you’re wrong. 🙂
I WILL MAKE YOU ACCOUNTABLE, GORDON MCALPIN!
Isn’t “hipster” a name for pants… thank hang off the hips?
I dunno. Kind of sounds like a UK thing, like “lift” or “petrol.”
As it’s produced by a
majorrather important British studio – Big Talk Productions, of Shaun of the Dead fame – and distributed by a major U.S. one, Universal, it’s not exactly an “indie” film, is it?Be honest: if Iron Man starred Michael Cera, would you still have wanted to see it? (I’ll be waiting for the trailer for THAT, a la “Wes Anderson’s Spider Man)
I was talking more about the source material being indie. Not the movie studios producing the film adaption.
I don’t think it’s about having or having not read the books. Personally, I’ve never read Scott Pilgrim, and probably won’t. Either way, I head over heels excited for this movie. Why? Because I like it’s somewhat unique take on action. These days, you don’t see a lot of onomatopoeia used in film and I love the thought that someone’s taken it beyond the BAM POW of old school Batman, and made it into something awesome.
And that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy Iron Man. But again, I hadn’t read any Iron Man prior to seeing the first movie, and still managed to get into it. Though, at the same time, I know other people who, despite having watched both Iron Man films, have yet to see what the attraction to the character is. In that way, it’s a matter of taste. Not every movie is made for you, so it’s ok that you don’t particularly get interested by a trailer. Some are targeted to a whole other generation or gender… some to a different culture or subculture.
Personally, I find it refreshing to see that people are taking the essence of comics and bringing it to the screen in such a way that makes it feel as diverse and rich as the nature of comics themselves, whether it be Iron Man or Batman or Scott Pilgrim. These films are doing things that I think other producers of comic-based films should take into consideration: it’s not taking one formula and making all the comics fit into that, it’s about taking the unique essences and bringing them to life in a way that only a movie can.
In the end, do or don’t read the books. I don’t think it really matters. Just don’t judge it by the trailer, just like you ought not judge a book by it’s cover.
I’m all for bringing the essence of comics to the movies. But one only needs to revisit Ang Lee’s Hulk and it’s ridiculous use of comic book panels and freeze frames between transitions to identify how thin of a line that is to walk!
I’ll agree with that. The goofy comic book panel stuff is the top reason I hate the Ang Lee Hulk movie.
True. But that’s not quite the same thing. It’s about capturing what makes a specific comic work. For Iron Man, it’s the essence of the Tony Stark character and the tech behind the suit, for Batman, it’s the dark, gritty texture. Panel layout isn’t what makes comics work as movies: we draw panels the way we do in order to get a feeling of action, something not required by film (Although, Heroes Season One used comic book style shots rather effectively, even if it went downhill in Season Two).
For a truely successful film, you have to pull the essence of the characters and the plot, the feeling of the story and the little quirks about the writing and the style to life. The Scott Pilgrim trailer is so exciting because it seems to do all of that, even if the movie ends up disappointing (though I find it hard to think that it will).
Totally late to the discussion on the comic sound effects and stuff, but:
Scott Pilgrim’s an over-the-top comedy that exaggerates the sound effects even in the comics, practically parodying the use of them in some places. Hulk is not a comedy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen videos of recent Spiderman video games or something that had comic-like sound effects and I thought it was ridiculous there, but with Pilgrim that’s the point.
I dunno, I’ve never read the book(s) either but the trailer actually got me pretty interested in it, I might have to go find the books somewhere before it comes out. I understand your general point but I don’t think it applies to this scenario (maybe it’s because I grew up in the 90’s)
When is the Theater Hopper movie coming out?
THAT would be a major win for indie comics!
I can see where Tom doesn’t get excited. It isn’t Iron Man, it really isn’t an action hero movie. It is effectively an action comedy. It doesn’t deserve the same reaction as Iron Man if only for the fact they aren’t on an even playing field. Iron Man was certainly playing to the adult comic book fan and his/her children. This movie is aiming at the in-between group. More so a take on late-teenage/early adulthood wrapped up in an Adam West Batman wrapper peppered with the occasional NES reference it seems.
I never read the comics, when I saw the trailer I went and wiki’ed it to see what I could get on it. I think if anything this is going to be a great movie but if only for the fact that the visuals and the humor should carry the day if the storyline itself falls short.
Just to note though, why is Cera still making films? He really isn’t an actor so much as a passable comedian playing himself through an ever narrowing array of films as he ages gently. I understand he is taking the Woody Allen niche in a way, but he isn’t really a stand-up comedian with any comedic chops to back him up. I find him interesting to watch, but he isn’t really somebody I go out of my way to see.
As far as Cera is concerned, if he doesn’t hit it out of the park with Scott Pilgrim, I think his days are numbered. Any role he auditions for could be easily snatched away from him by Jesse Eisenberg, Jay Baruchel, Justin Long or Shia LaBeouf. You’d never know the difference.
Agreed, it’s like watching his character on Arrested Development thrown into different wacky situations. A dozen different movies, same character. I know there are a number of other actors who basically just play themselves in every movie they’re in, but it starts to wear thin after a while.
As a guy who’s read the books, is the same age as the characters, lives in the GTA, and is a huge Edgar Wright fan, I can see how someone not entrenched in it all could not be drawn in. I liked the trailer because obviously I recognise all the nods, but Michael Cera doesn’t help sell the movie to the average person and it is a bit out there. I do think the Batman like pows will help though if for nothing more than nostalgia reasons.
I’m looking forward to seeing this movie. The 1st trailer made me want to see it, and this one makes me want to see it more. even the sneak preview on the mtv awards today made me want to see it more. I think it looks cool, the effects and all that, plus the throw back to the batman pows and what not.
Having said that, I had never heard of scott pilgram. In fact the first time i saw the trailer was on this site. But having watched the previews I could see the comic influences in it. So maybe its comic book geek in me that wants to see it too? Dunno. Anyways, even if it totally sucks, which i hope it doesnt, i’m looking forward to it.
“There wasn’t anything specifically about the first trailer that made someone like me – someone who is not ALREADY indoctrinated into the cult of Scott Pilgrim – excited to see the film.”
No offense meant, Tom, but this is complete bollocks. Honestly, it kind of sounds like the fact you know it’s based on an indie comic is clouding your judgment rather than the other way around. I’d never even HEARD of Scott Pilgrim (before reading this post I was completely unaware it was even based on a comic) and I thought the first trailer was fantastic from the NES game end boss concept, clever lines and visual flair. The second one is even better, and is hands down the best special effects comedy trailer since The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (I hope it doesn’t follow in it’s footsteps by making the trailer miles better than the movie, though). I also know a lot of my friends think this movie looks fantastic, and only one of them even reads comics at all, let alone indie comics. I am hyped for this movie, and this is from someone who doesn’t read twitter or things like that and whose dislike of Michael Cera has so far made me avoid every movie he’s in like it was a herpes toilet seat.
I don’t think because I know it’s an indie comic, it’s clouding my judgment. I mean, I have a general awareness of Scott Pilgrim, people have talked to me about it and have suggested I read it. I’m not turned off by the idea. In fact, I saw that all of the books were on sale for $8.00 a pop at Amazon and I’m thinking about picking them up.
All I’m saying is that I’m looking around at my contemporaries who are losing their minds over these trailers and saying to myself “I don’t see what’s so great about them.”
Because they’ve read the books, I think that’s why they’re excited.
This was the first I have ever heard of this movie and/or comic. Looks like a fun movie although it might be a bit more adult than it needs to be. It is unlikely that I will ever see it but I wouldn’t avoid it if there was a chance I could see it.
“There wasn’t anything specifically about the first trailer that made someone like me – someone who is not ALREADY indoctrinated into the cult of Scott Pilgrim – excited to see the film.”
Really can’t find myself empathizing with you here. I’d never heard of Scott Pilgrim until I saw the first trailer and I can’t remember the last time I got so giddy with excitement over a movie. I am looking forward to this like MAD.
Unfortunately, I believe you are biased. You may unknowingly be a part of the “hipsters” who were given a nod in this post. I intend no insult by this. I merely intend to point out the rainbow sharpie picture which graces your profile. I have been told that my own rainbow sharpies make me a hipster, and therefore, you may be as well! Might want to get yourself checked…
I have to dissagree with you Tom. For me, Scott Pilgrim was always one of those comics I knew existed, but never really knew really anything about or cared if I ever got arround to reading. When that first trailer hit I was like, “WTF, why haven’t I read this yet?” and that Wed picked up the first volume with my regular books. Since then I have read the 5 that are out and can’t wait for the last volume. I’ve enjoyed the books and loved the fact that I could actually recognize shots from that first trailer as I was reading it. So to say you have to have read the book to be interested in the trailer is compleatly backwards for me. If not for the trailer, who knows if I would have ever picked up the books.
I’d never heard of the comic, but I thought the first trailer was pretty bad ass. That mix of humor, action, and geekiness is like catnip for me.
I also don’t think comparing Scott Pilgrim to Iron Man makes a whole lot of sense. Sure, they’re both comic book movies, but so were Batman, Ghost World, 300, Hellboy, A History of Violence, The Crow, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There has to be a better reason to compare movies than being based on a comic book.
It’s not an apples to apples comparison. But that’s kind of the point.
Jared is treating Tom like a dullard because he only gets excited about movies like Iron Man. Not the smaller fare.
I’ve never read the books or had any interest in them, but I thought the trailers were fun. I’m looking forward to them.
I barely consider the books indie. Isn’t there a whole section of them at Borders?
So……yeah I walked into this discussion not having seen more than a few seconds of the film and feeling like what I saw was trying to hard.
I was an ally.
And then you went and posted the above trailer and i gotta tell you – I’m old(is 39 old? I hear it’s the new 52) with kids and have virtually dropped out of comics – and that trailer made me excited to see the movie.
It seems a tad self aware and could very well go to far, but I have a great deal of faith in Edgar Wright and the trailer itself made me laugh a few times (even if it really seemed to tell me too much of the big movie moments).
So I dunno man – maybe it’s just one of those films you don’t ‘get’. Happens to all of us. They have a small blue pill for that.
…. wait, THAT’S what the pill is for?
Nevermind Tom, you’re hosed. 😉
I haven’t read all the comments—but I had to comment.
I’ve never heard of Scott Pilgrim, and I’ve been excited to see it since the first trailer I saw.
I hadn’t read the comics before I saw the 1st trailer. (I’d been meaning to, but I hadn’t.) And when I saw the trailer, I was all, “Oh dude this looks so awesome. I gotta see this movie! And I gotta read the comics before this movie comes out!”
I’m not saying it’s the best trailer ever or anything. To some extent, our differing reactions to the trailer can probably be chalked up to taste–it just appeals more to me than to you. All I’m saying is that it’s not aimed entirely at the Scott Pilgrim “in crowd.” After all, it managed to get me pumped, before I got into the comics.
I hadn’t heard of it before, so I had no idea it was a comic; even knowing that, I would never even think of comparing it to Iron Man, it’s so apples and oranges. I thought it looked cute and clever and fun, and didn’t give it much more thought than that. 🙂
Actually, I showed the initial trailer to several people I know who have yet to read the comics and they were all interested in seeing the movie. They were, however, even more interested in seeing it after I explained the comic to them, and my own mother is now uber-pumped after reading the first few volumes of the comic itself.
The second trailer is even better, I think, at building anticipation for the film.
Long time reader, first time poster.
I’ve had faith in this movie since I have heard Edgar Wright was involved with it. Yes, Cera was discouraging, but when has he had a chance to step away from George Michael since Arrested Development? It seems he has been in the same role since then.
I have only dabbled in the Scott Pilgrim after I have seen the trailers but the character looks to be much more confident than G.M. Bluth and it maybe (Just maybe) will give Cera a chance to show he is much more than a boy becoming a man and wearing zany clothes. Also BLASPHEMY on Chinless LeDouche. I would have immediately skipped over the trailer if I saw him in this movie.
The worst part of Transformers was Shia. You could have put anyone else in his role and I would have enjoyed the movie that much more. A small dog would have made his scenes more enjoyable than LeDouche.
Tom, I LOVE Iron Man. My girlfriend LOVES Iron Man, mainly due to Rubber Ducky Jesus but mostly due to it being a fun movie that is faithful to the source material. Which to tackle another argument, yes Stark is a douche. However, the source material shows him redeeming himself and gaining a purpose in life. Isn’t that the entire main point of the story in Iron Man? An eccentric billionaire playboy fell by a mortal wound and dedicating his life to save the lives of others from a noble sacrifice? Have some faith in Pilgrim. It looks like it will be fun!
I think the problem is that Scott Pilgrim isn’t the same kind of movie that Iron Man was, which really lent itself to a great trailer. I’ve only heard of Scott Pilgrim, but the trailer did pique my interest.
I have never read Scott Pilgrim. I am not a hipster. I haven’t even seen Hot Fuzz (although I’ve seen Shaun of the Dead). I loved both Iron Man movies. Yet both Scott Pilgrim trailers really get me pumped to see the movie because it looks like it’s a lot of fun, energetic, and – dare I say it? – a bit different from what’s been in the theaters lately. And if it’s catering to people who have read the comic, I guess it doesn’t come across that way to me. It just looks… fun.
I think as someone above me stated, it comes down to a matter of taste. Iron Man and Scott Pilgrim are two drastically different movies, so someone who is on either side of the spectrum might have a hard time coming to terms with the opposite side.
Personally I’m unbelievably stoked for this movie, though I did read the books. I feel the analogy of Pilgrim to Ang Lee’s Hulk is a little shallow. In Hulk, those effects were used in all seriousness to create a certain style about it that…. well we all saw it, it didn’t work. The same effects used in the Scott Pilgrim movie are over-the-top comic-y, plus it’s pretty much exactly how they do it in the comics: it’s slight 4th wall breaking as the artist is fully aware of how ridiculous it is. That immediately makes me think of “Wanted” which I really really didn’t want to see at first. Especially after my friend told me about the “F*** YOU” keyboard part… but then when I watched it I realized that, like in Scott Pilgrim, it’s intentionally ridiculous.
Plus you add the fact that the Scott Pilgrim comics have a TON of video game references and you can see it in the trailer: “KO”, “Round One”, the extra life, the tagline “It’s On Like Donkey Kong.”
I don’t know, Tom your comic kind of irked me today. Please at least give the books a try. The trailer doesn’t show a lot of comedy as I’m sure they’re trying to get out the idea that it’s an action movie, but the comedy in the comics is very well written and overall the work oozes charm and hilarity.
Okay, I’ll stop being a stupid fanboy now….
You do raise a good point, and I’ve been hearing the same thing from my friends and family. I’m an uber-fan of the books, so the trailers pretty much fill me with max levels of glee. But as someone who’s never heard of the source material, they’re wondering just what is going on with all these weird fights, sounds, and general atmosphere. It’s not really an easy thing to explain, so I just hope the “From the director of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead” is convincing enough (since he’s got enough goodwill under his belt at this point to win people over who’ve never heard of Scott).
I think all of us here commenting can’t really take a side on whether the trailers are doing they’re job. If we’re all readers of Theater Hopper then we’ve all proven our like of zaney antics and over the top stuff, and we’re all definately movie fans who’ve more than likely seen all the more traditional movies so this is a breath of fresh air.
It left out the ‘douchebag’ part… 😉
I never read the Scott Pilgrim stuff and I hate Cera with the same passion that you hate Shia with but I dug the first trailer. I really dig the second trailer. My oldest nephew is 16 and barely reads books, let alone comics, and he turned to me and said “we are seeing that, when does it come out?”. We really liked all the video game stuff. It being Indie or whatever has nothing to do with it for me.
I’ve never finished a single book of Scott Pilgrim. And I’ve tried. Maybe it’s just that the first book is brutal, but I made it about 2/3 of the way through before putting it down and saying, “Nothing happens in this damn book!”
Nothing happens in the first 2/3, but everything happens in the last third. As long as you’ve got Book #1, you might as well finish it out. Chances are, by the end you’ll know whether it’s for you or not.
I love you for this and agree very much. Though my view maybe coloured by the fact that I tried to read Scott Pilgram and declared the story slacker crap in much the same words the last panel did.
You know, I was re-watching that Iron Man trailer Tom posted, and I have to say I disagree with his assessment that it’s a good trailer. It’s an awesome short film, maybe. It gives away about 80% of what happens in the flick in those few minutes. I hate it when trailers do that.
What do you mean it gives away 80% of what happens? There are glimpses of action and hardly and dialogue!
Meh. I never even heard about this movie until your complained about it here. From the second trailer you posted it looks like a good movie. I enjoyed Zombieland and I like the floating text because they did it well.. this movie also looks like it’ll do it well. Time will tell, it does feel a little childish and over-the-top that’ll make it a fun action-comedy.
I love indie comics, but lets face it, they dont exactly scream Summer Blockbuster… not most of them anyway. As for the actual movie… I think I’ll wait for the DVD, I’d like t oread the comics first
Ehhh I know of the books, but that being said I agree you have to kind of be a fan to get the most out of it. That being said I wonder if that will hinder the movies chances of success profit-wise. If the film is going to rely on the pants wetting fans then it doesn’t seem like it would make a big impact. Of course that’s only if there’s little to no real competition. Then who knows what will happen?
I disagree. I’ve never read the comics and hadn’t even heard about them until the movie was announced, but watching the trailers has made me wet myself wanting to see this film.
I have never heard of this movie or this comic, but after watching that trailer I now have to check out both
I have to say that it’s a bit destabilizing to come here 4-5 times a week and always see the same comic… It really is sad. 🙁
You wanna see sad? Check out my dwindling traffic numbers!
On the plus side, leaving the comic up for a week really allows the discussion in the comments section to mushroom.
I’m hoping that once my twice-weekly night class is over at the end of the month and things have settled down in my new job, I can start to put a little more effort back into the comic. Right now I feel like it’s on auto-pilot and I still haven’t adjusted to the new schedule yet.
Optimistically, I’d like to space things out over the course of the week. Pencil one day, ink another day, color and shade on the last day. The end result might be a longer comic with a little more detail. Something for you to sink your teeth into.
Another idea might be to post updates once in a while, maybe reviews of movies you’ve watched at home. I’m pretty sure people come here for your posts/thoughts as much as the comics… if doing more comics is too time-consumming, maybe compensate a little bit with a few more posts. Just a thought!
I’d like to update with more blog posts, but there’s a snag with WordPress right now that prevents me from making a second blog post under one comic. I have to post a whole new image for the blog post to appear. It wasn’t an issue in the last version, but something that we have to work on since the redesign.
I’d like to try and supplement the comic with movie and DVD reviews. But again, it comes down to having free time. This night class is kicking my ass right now. Between my job and school, I’m away from home roughly 14 hours. Hopefully there will be more free time in the future, but right now, I need to shift my focus.
I actually got the comics after I saw this trailer, and I can honestly say it’s pretty bad. The movie looks a lot better than the comic, since they have to drag out the writing. Each comic is one fight and a lot of boring filler. In fact, I took a week break between 2 and 3 and when I came back to it I was completely lost and just gave up.
Zero t-shirt? Awesome! I love this movie already!
actually I think the trailer sucks and i’m not very interested in it, but I always love a pumpkins reference.
I’ve never heard anything about Scott Pilgrim until this post. After watching the trailer yesterday, I have to say that it looks targetted at younger kids. I might give it a rent at some point, but I certainly won’t rush to the theater to watch this one.
So i figure i should mention the fact that the first trailer for this movie actually inspired me to check out the comic books which i loved which made me love the trailer even more so i guess 19 year old canadians are the target market.
I’ll be honest, I like Micheal Cera. Yeah, he always plays himself, with subtle variations, but he’s just likeable. So when I read the plot summery to Scott Pilgrim about a year ago, when I was looking for info on Youth in Revolt, I was hooked. It sounds too rediculous to pass up. I don’t read “real” comics (just webcomics like this), but I just read the first book last night and found it rather enjoyable. I mean, when he defeats the first evil boyfriend, the guy drops 2.10 in loose change. It feels like several webcomics I’ve read and it doesn’t take itself seriously.