Man, if you gotta define what a Hipster is, then you must not be a Hipster!
Hipster is basically that which has replaced the “Gen-X” stereotype of the 90s/Alternative movement. So the late teens to early 30s period currently seems to be where the hipster label is applied and it’s used in so many different variations and labels, all basically to say “Alternative” or “Not the mainstream”, but to the point, where Hipsterism seems so prevalent, that it almost feels Mainstream.
Good examples of “Hipsters” would be seen by the webcomics “Questionable Content” and “Diesel Sweeties”. They are filled with a variety of characters, all of which could in some way by different people be described as “Hipster” (another similar term “Indie”).
Themes in Scott Pilgrim that could be considered Hipster: “Gay/Metrosexual” culture, “Geek” culture, Veganism, Garage Rock, the exclusive club for hipsters to go and hang out at, the techno/club scene, the “retro” feel of wearing T-shirts of old bands and references to 80s culture even though the people wearing them would have been less than 10 years old in the 80s (Though I did love the “Plumtree” shirt Scott wears at the first party- it’s a nice reference to the 90s female grunge band that inspired Brian O’Malley with their song “Scott Pilgrim”), hell, the term is so over used that it’s just silly, and almost anything in the film could be pointed out as being “indie” or “hipster” when most of the time it doesn’t take itself seriously enough to actually be condoning it. “Crimes against Veganity” isn’t exactly condoning an element of hipster culture, but then again is scott pilgrim being a 20-something with no job, but going to clubs, and trying to be in a garage rock band really condoning the “hipster” lifestyle anymore?
The fact that the comics are done in a manga style, yet have warning on the very last page of them telling readers “Hey, why are you trying to read this book like some sort of Japanese manga?!? Go to the front of the book, and read it like a normal person” at times just gives support to the idea that though Scott Pilgrim may have a ton of references to “hipster” culture, it’s pretty tongue in cheek at times, and with a good enough sense of humor to laugh at itself enough that you can’t really tell if it’s fully anti-hipsters (Which would comprise certainly a large part of its audience) or if it’s being “ironic” in a hipster way and just poking fun at itself.
Personally, my opinion is that the book pokes fun at those who take themselves and their culture too seriously, and anyone who actually feels the need to try to pin down what the book’s “message” is, is sort of missing the point- which is: it’s fun, and it’s enjoyable, so why care what it is? It simply is what it is. 
This movie has cult hit written all over it. As if to emphasize the point, it is presently playing to happy hipster crowds at the same local theater which shows Rocky Horror.
I got a giggle from the throwaway Seinfeld musical reference.
I’ve heard that too, that the studio greenlighted the movie with the expectation of a huge return on DVD sales as it becomes known as a cult hit, rather than any real success at the box office.
It does occur to me that if they decide to do a sequel, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Universe” is a ready-to-use sequel title. That said, Scott’s story pretty much seems done here, barring Gideon having an extra life somewhere.
Very Canadian/Torontoian. I loved the cycle of t-shirts that Scott wears…
‘CBC’
‘SARS’
It’s depressing how right on target that is.
Just saw this movie today. I enjoyed it. It was certainly different (always a plus) and well made.
I liked the characters. I have no problem with Michael Cera playing Michael Cera roles.
The only issue I have was that the climax was a little vague. I think the point was that Scott “won” by growing up. But it could be equally argued that he won by winning all the fights he was supposed to. I think I would have preferred an ending where Scott refused to fight Gideon, thereby proving that he was different than all of Ramona’s exes.
Haven’t read the books but I probably will now based on enjoying the movie.
I would recommend it. I bought the series because I liked the movie and I wasn’t disappointed. They were very funny and well done.
I also bought the books after seeing the movie. I’m generally not a comics person, and I really don’t care for manga, but I loved the books. They go into a lot more detail on some of the characters surrounding Scott, and there are some fantastically funny and/or poignant moments that aren’t in the movie at all.
In retrospect, Kim Pine in particular gets the short end of the stick in terms of movie screentime. She’s one of the cornerstone characters in the books, probably the second-most important person in Scott’s life after Ramona herself. While Allison Pill did a wonderful job with what she was given in the movie, the time constraints of film meant that, sadly, she wasn’t given much. But what was there was great.
“WE ARE SEX BOB-OMB! ONE TWO THREE FOUR!!”