Movie Review- Adventureland

I will say that the concept of this movie relates to what alot of college students are going through right now. Hell, i even had a friend who worked at an amusement park after college graduation. That's one reason i knew i might like this movie. It turns out that that wasn't the only reason.

NOTE: This movie is written and directed by the director of "Superbad". But if you are expecting "Superbad" or its little brother, don't. Maybe it's a cousin. I will say it actually felt closer to "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" rather than "Superbad".

It's 1987 and James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) is a recent college graduate who life is turned upside down when he finds out his well-off father has to take a demotion at work and can no longer finance him. James is then forced to get a job at an amusement park to make money.

PROS:
Much like "Superbad" you learn to love these characters. You want them to succeed and you want to know where life is gonna take them. The movie doesnt have the laugh-out-loud moments that some of the "Superbad"-esque comedies have, but the movie has alot of heart. The characters are multi-dimentional on purpose and it works. They feel real and you catch that. The movie also does a good job of revealing the characters in a timely manner as well. Even things that are predictable come at a time that fits. The flow of the movie fits perfectly and the the fact that the film is set in 1987 adds a unique element that makes it work better than if it were set in modern day. I couldn't help but to laugh everytime a scene began with "Rock Me Amadeus" blasting in the background of the park. In addition, most of the performances are equally as strong as the story line, making it a perfect combination. Especially Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig who supply the majority of laughs.

CONS:
Only one thing irked me about this film and that was the fact that at times Jesse Eisenberg seemed to be imitating Michael Cera. The way he talked, his befuddled acting approach, his vast vocabulary and his awkward reactions are classic Cera. It was like it was written for Cera, which it may have been. Though Wiig's character seemed to be an extension of her character in "Knocked Up" and Martin Starr seems to be playing...Martin Starr, it works for them, they aren't the central character. I just felt Eisenberg couldn've carved his own niche.

Recommendation:
Buy it

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY:
Greg Mottola

MAIN CAST:
Jesse Eisenberg ("The Village", "The Education of Charlie Banks")
Kristen Stewart ("Jumper", "Twilight")
Marin Starr ("Knocked Up", "Superbad")
Bill Hader ("Kncoked Up", "Tropic Thunder")
Kristen Wiig ("Knocked Up", "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story")
Ryan Reynolds ("Waiting...", "Just Friends")
Wendie Malick ("Waiting...", "Confessions of a Shopaholic")
Mary Birdsong ("Reno 911!:Miami", "Made of Honor")

Similar Titles:
Dazed and Confused, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist