Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie Review

"We are Sex Bob-Omb! One! Two! Three! Four!"

Reviewed by Justin Dekker April 4, 2026

Several years in the making and based on the 'Scott Pilgrim' graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley, the Netflix series 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series' arrives on Blu-ray disc courtesy of Universal. Edgar Wright, who directed the 2010 film 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' returns in a producing role, and the majority of the cast from film returns to lend their voices to the animated versions of their characters, including: Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Alison Pill, Brie Larson, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza Kieran Culkin, Jason Schwartzman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Brandon Routh, just to name a few. All eight episodes are included on this single-disc release that features a commentary track for each installment. Neither a Digital Code nor a slipcover are included.

The 23-year-old slacker Scott Pilgrim isn't exactly leading a charmed life. He lives with a roommate in small dingy apartment. He's "between jobs". He plays bass for a band called Sex Bob-Omb, which, by his own admission, isn't very good. He's dating a 17-year-old girl, and though the pair have gone no further than holding hands once, he's getting the idea that perhaps this isn't his best choice for a variety of reasons. On the positive side, he's just met the the literal girl of his dreams, but, unbeknownst to him, in order to date her he will need to battle her seven evil exes. His fight to win her hand will playout against a barrage of video game inspired graphics and mayhem, pop culture references, and a groovy soundtrack.

Those unfamiliar with O'Malley's graphic novels, which were written between 2004 and 2010, who went into the first movie flat-footed were likely a bit flummoxed by what they were seeing on the screen. Video game-flavored graphics displaying a mountain of data as diverse as stunning "hit combos" and the rapidly draining "pee meter", "Ka-pows" and "Booms" that would be right at home in the classic Batman television series from the 1960s, and a enough pop culture references to fill a trivia night, all of which are played out over one young man's attempt to find love. Intermixed with that love story, played with earnest intensity by Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona Flowers), and all of the drama and near-misses that one would expect from that genre, are a steady and unrelenting onslaught of stylistic yet vaguely preposterous encounters and fights with characters that are more quirky than complex, with resolutions often signified by a rain of coins. That original film, with it's dizzying array of talent plugged in to roles large and small functions as a sort of "who's who" of Hollywood up-and-comers. Kendrick appears here as her career was taking off due to the Twilight films, Evans had been Johnny Storm but wasn't yet Captain America, Plaza hadn't yet had her star-making turn in Parks and Recreation, and so on. The pace was frenetic, as Edgar Wright's film moved at break-neck speed to pack a considerable number of pages of the source material into just 112 minutes. Yet, somehow, this odd bouillabaisse of talent, source material, energy, and influences didn't just simply work, it was something of a triumph.

Those who haven't seen the first film or read the graphic novels may likewise be overstimulated and a bit at sea as they start spending time with Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series. The animated series maintains the same visual stylings, graphics, and influences that populated the first film, which may, initially seem a bit jarring, but become welcome and entertaining soon enough. Those who have seen the first film, though, and are expecting this limited series to simply be a rehash of what has come before are in for something of a surprise. For while the first episode plays out largely faithfully to the film and the first book in the series, there is an obvious point of departure that leads the limited series in a decidedly different direction. For those who have yet to see the series, I won't spoil that here. And, to that end, the screenshots included in the review are purposefully limited to the first two episodes, and chosen very selectively in order to not accidently or inadvertently give away key plot points or surprises.

Something that speaks very well to the creative team, the source material, and the experience that the cast must have had in crafting Scott Pilgrim vs. the World over a decade-and-a-half ago, is that Wright returns as part of the production team, writer O'Malley was intimately involved in crafting the story, and despite the passage of time and much of the cast being in very difference places in their careers, all critical members saw fit to return, making for a relatively seamless viewing experience between the two. Tonally, the limited series demonstrates the same (or very similar) sensibilities. Wallace Wells is still aloof and always on the make. Knives Chau is still hopelessly lovesick. Kim Pine still feels like the heart of Sex Bob-Omb. And the seven evil exes are a still a perceived threat that must be dealt with. But the story direction for episodes two through eight allow for other characters to receive more of a spotlight, and more depth and development as well. This stems, in no small part, from the additional time available to the limited series.

Over the span of its eight episodes, the limited series has just under three-and-a-half hours to follow Scott Pilgrim and his friends. Whereas the previous film had to work diligently to squeeze multiple graphic novels into a comparatively short runtime, here the story was written specifically for the series. The film pressed ever frantically forward, with little time to process or breathe. Here, though, the opposite is true. It's got all time it needs. Some scenes, or moments in them, seem slow by comparison. Things are simply allowed to happen without an agenda or being rushed. The overall narrative still supports the notion that we're all the hero of our own story, and that the process of finding love and a connection in our twenties is messy and awkward proposition at best, but the added time allows for these ideas to be explored a bit more slowly and organically. It allows the limited series to establish its own identity while still dove-tailing in nicely with what has come before, both stylistically and thematically.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Scott Pilgrim Take Off: The Complete Limited Series looks quite good on Blu-ray. The animation used here has a stylized hand-drawn look. Line thickness and density is purposefully not uniform giving characters and the objects with which they interact a slightly "rougher" look. Background elements present with a softer painted look. Within shots, our perspective is forced with some characters or objects being in focus while others purposefully soften, and, on occasion, this softening and sharpening can shift during the shot. Colors are generally bold and well-saturated, with the reds and yellows in Scott's bass guitar and t-shirt popping nicely, as does the pervasively red environment of Gideon's lair. Motion is generally smooth. One could argue that there is some degree of banding on display from time to time in interior and exterior shots alike. However, based on the animation style and how the areas of "concern" can appear in, for example, the wall in Ramona's bedroom, I am of the opinion that what we see in that regard is a purposeful choice, designed to fit with the overall animation style and the printed roots of the original source material on which the series is based. I did not detect any stair-stepping or other visual defects..

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD Master Audio track is a solid partner for this tale of Scott Pilgrim and his friends. Not surprisingly, the most impressive moments occur during the fights and band performances. During the fights, objects and people move fluidly through the space. Punches and kicks receive adequate support to convey their power, and coins register with tinkling delicacy. Music is rendered faithfully and with solid sound separation. The show's main theme demonstrates this rather well, and makes an opening credits sequence that some who are used to streaming may be inclined to fast- forward through required viewing (and listening) each and every time. The end credits also offer an assortment of punk and indy tracks, with X's "Breathless" boasting crisp harmonies and lead vocals, and energetic guitar work. It being a long-time favorite of mine, I was more than a little shocked and elated at its inclusion at the end of the first episode. The stage opens up nicely in the cathedral were the early action of the second episode transpires, with voices and footsteps echoing nicely to paint a sonic picture of an expansive and cavernous space. The massive doors boom shut with convincing weight and heft. Dialogue is clean and front and center. Regardless of the action or music of any given scene, every word is intelligible. Immersive moments are frequent, and range from subtle (the party in the first episode) to more bombastic and impressive (Knives' scream as the second episode opens, and Envy's arrival a short while later). Larger moments remain well-balanced and bass never becomes overpowering.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Each episode is accompanied by a commentary track by co-writers and producers Bryan Lee O'Malley and BenDavid Grabinski. The pair have a natural and comfortable rapport, and they share a wealth of knowledge regarding casting, story ideas, character motivations, and the emotional core of the show. The pair are rarely quiet for long, but they do pause occasionally to appreciate the on-screen action. They address their decisions regarding the focus for the series, their love for the theme song, and even share some enthusiasm and trivia regarding the songs chosen for the closing credits. These commentary tracks contain a fair amount of spoilers as the pair share information about character arcs, as well as the action and plot points of upcoming episodes, so it is not advisable to explore these before first watching the series in its entirety. But fans owe it to themselves to revisit the series with the track, as it's an enjoyable and informative listen.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Those who have pined for a return to the world of Scott Pilgrim, Ramona, Knives, Young Neil, and the rest, should be more than entertained by the limited series. While the returning cast may not be able to convincingly reinhabit their previous roles in a live action film, vocally they're more than up to the task to portray a host of twentysomethings obsessed with finding love, discovering themselves, waging epic fights, and kicking out the jams in these eight animated episodes. The story here begins with the familiar before taking a turn that should offer up some surprises for both established fans or those who are only familiar with the 2010 film. And for those who are coming to the characters for the first time but like what they see here, there's a good deal more to discover. With its unique animation style, a heartfelt story, and a killer soundtrack (including X's "Breathless"!), Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: The Complete Limited Series comes highly recommended.