Review of American Ultra (2015) by Bethany Anne A — 24 Aug 2015

A fun, action-packed comedy that does not deserve the bad rep it's getting, American Ultra is exactly what it's trying to be - a crossover flick that doesn't take itself too seriously. Both Eisenberg and Stewart are on their A-game as a young couple, with performances that are both believable and full of chemistry. Say what you will about either star, the two of them know how to pick their movies. The action, while over-zealous at times, is engaging and expertly choreographed with a soundtrack that complimented the movie quite well.

The few parts that seemed off were, for me at least, easily forgiven. Namely, another typecasting of Topher Grace as a yuppie prick you can't help but hate. I also feel like the movie tried too hard to hit the stoner comedy side of things, producing an awkward distraction at the best of times and flat out derailing the movie at worst. Had they pulled back on the pot smoking side of things the movie would be much more coherent, especially in a day and age where pot smoking is not only legal in some places, but is more common among the 20-30 demographic than cigarette smoking.