Review of American Ultra (2015) by Lenny R — 26 Nov 2016

Significantly more entertaining than the reviews led me to think it would be. The film piqued my interest because I'm a fan of Stew 'n' The Berg, and knew, after seeing them together in Adventureland, that they have chemistry.

That chemistry is very much evident again here, despite the dynamic between the characters being somewhat different. But they weren't the issue. I'd heard the script was weak. But I really didn't find that to be the case.

You could call it derivative, I suppose, mashing up a Bourne Identity/Manchurian Candidate-type scenario with stoner comedy, but since that hasn't really been done before, it makes for an intriguing, original concept.

Eisenberg's Mike is an interesting character, the two seemingly distinct and contradictory aspects of his personality turning out to actually be very much related. The action scenes are well choreographed and paced, brutal and bloody without being excessive.

The movie is also very funny, and there's a very sweet love story at the centre, well conceived by Landis and well portrayed by the two leads. Beyond J-Berg and K-Wart, the supporting cast is bursting with talent - Goggins, Britton, Hale - and even Grace and Leguizamo, who I'm generally pretty ambivalent towards, are well and truly playing to their strengths here.

I can't remember the last thing I saw Bill Pullman in, but it's good to see him again. I honestly don't understand the hate, or maybe just indifference, around this movie. It seems like the sort of thing that should attract a healthy cult following.

I found it immensely entertaining, which, at the end of the day, is the most important thing.