DVD Review: American Ultra

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What's in this weed?

Mike (Jesse Eisenberg) is a simple stoner who lives in West Virginia. He works at a gas station, he's in love with his girlfriend Phoebe, (Kristen Stewart) but he has extreme panic attacks when he tries to leave town. He's stuck. But Mike isn't really just a stoner, he's actually a secret CIA experiment that when activated by Victoria (Connie Brighton) turns into a one man killing machine when another CIA agent, Yates (Topher Grace) tries to terminate him.

American Ultra is billed as an action comedy. It fails on the comedy part, but it's got the action scenes down very well. It's spectacularly gory and I loved that about it. I only wish the film was a bit more cohesive. It's strange trying to describe it. It's not hard to follow, but it's completely convoluted at the same time. It's like the only think we're really meant to retain in this film is all the kills Eisenberg gets.

Now, I love Eisenberg and Stewart. They have their haters, but I think they're both very talented actors and they have wonderful chemistry together. I could watch these two in movies all day. I'm not sure if another pair of actors could've made this worth watching like the two of them did. 

Recommended: No

Grade: C

Memorable Quote: "Am I the tree?" - Mike (Jesse Eisenberg)

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 23, 2016 at 8:32 AM

    This premise definitely has potential. It's a shame it didn't come together. It sounds like a problem with weak writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 23, 2016 at 2:04 PM

      Definitely, I don't think they thought about it much over the "laughs."

      Delete
  2. Kevin PowersMarch 23, 2016 at 8:45 AM

    I laughed quite a bit early on, and I even found the brilliant, hyper-violent action pieces humorous in their own right, but I ultimately found it too stupid for its own good. More realism on any level would've elevated this thing to ironic perfection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 23, 2016 at 2:04 PM

      lol "too stupid for it's own good" is an interesting way to describe it. It did get really out there.

      Delete
  3. m.brownMarch 23, 2016 at 1:44 PM

    Another one I'd like to check out, Brittani. I'm down for this one, especially of it's bloody good fun.

    Rosenberg is a bit of a one trick pony, yes??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 23, 2016 at 2:03 PM

      Rosenberg? Did you mean Eisenberg? If so, I disagree. I think he's type cast quite a bit, but he's capable of playing other characters. He's been really good in things like The Social Network, Holly Rollers, End of the Tour, those are very different that what we're used to.

      Delete
    2. m.brownMarch 24, 2016 at 3:11 PM

      F--king phone. Yeah, I meant Eisenberg. Whoever the f--k Rosenberg is, I couldn't tell ya.

      I like Eisenberg actually, but even in the Social Network he seems to be playing That Guy. Somewhat hyper, neurotic smart ass comes to mind. No doubt he has the skills...but a lot of his roles are very similar.

      And worse, sometimes all I hear is the bird from Rio (Blu?)

      Delete
    3. Brittani BurnhamMarch 25, 2016 at 8:44 AM

      LOL. TSN is more dickish then the typecast Eisenberg I think of. But End of the Tour and Holy Rollers are definitely worth checking out, especially the former.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMarch 23, 2016 at 5:24 PM

    This one felt pretty unnecessary to me, but it would be hard to win me over seeing how I dislike both leads (and am harping today about Jesse Eisenberg as a matter of fact).

    ReplyDelete
  5. s.March 24, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    "turns into a one man killing machine when another CIA agent, Yates (Topher Grace) tries to terminate him."

    That sounds amazing :lol: Eisenberg and Grace being involved in any kind of fight or action sounds so funny because they both look like they could fall over if the wind blew hard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 24, 2016 at 2:50 PM

      That's what makes it so amusing, Eisenberg is not an intimidating dude, but he kicks ass and is still pretty naive throughout.

      Delete
  6. BirgitMarch 24, 2016 at 11:44 AM

    I am not one for this geek but I am giggling to think that 2 geeks can play action guys. Don't get me wrong, I love geeks, I'm a geek but, seriously, hahahaaaa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 24, 2016 at 2:50 PM

      lol. Eisenberg is a capable actor, his biggest roles are just the same.

      Delete
  7. KhalidMarch 24, 2016 at 12:33 PM

    Nice review. I agree that Eisenberg and Stewert had good chemistry together, but the film itself just didnt work for me as a cohesive whole.

    ReplyDelete
  8. epileptic.moondancerApril 8, 2016 at 2:13 AM

    Hmm I was wondering what this would be like! I really like Eisenberg, but from your review it doesn't sound like my sort of thing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 8, 2016 at 6:39 AM

      It's not great, nor is it terrible. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

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