I saw American Ultra on August 21, 2015!! All I have to say is I thought this movie was the personification of awesome!! This movie has something happening at every moment. It was exciting-a perfect mix of intense action, comedy, and drama. It delivered on all levels. I really loved how over the top it was, and I definitely think it's something that shows how entertaining movies can be.
If you put Adventureland, Pineapple Express, and the Weapon X program into a blender, you would get American Ultra. The plot revolves around government operations, relationships, and crazy antics from frame to frame. The chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg is so natural to me. They worked so well together in Adventureland, and did an excellent job re-creating that here. Eisenberg's Mike Howell role was great for his real life personality. His switch from freaked out stoner to intense spy was amazing to watch. Stewart is one of my favorite actresses. She did well showing how emotionally attached Phoebe Larson is to Mike, while also displaying her own deep rooted intensity and secrets that keep the plot rolling. There's never a moment where the movie slows down. These two made each scene they were in believable even through the zaniness of the antics going on around them.
Two other elements that were well done here were Connie Britton's Victoria Lasseter and Topher Grace's Adrian Yates characters. Britton is also one of my favorite actresses for her incredible roles as Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights and Rayna James in Nashville. She fit the role of the CIA operative leader well, and fit the mold of a tough as nails woman trying to get to the bottom of Yate's mission. Britton created two of the best female characters in television history, and she tapped into that mindset to shape this character. Even in a movie where comedic elements appear, she still represented a deep emotional aspect that was apropos for her. Topher was such a douche that you loved to hate him. I feel like he made the entitled bratty villain role natural and entertaining. His mission was similar to one that leads to Eisenberg becoming an agent, but a more twisted version. Walton Goggin's Laugher character represented part of Yate's vision and Goggins just hit the nail on the head as he is known for over the top characters-*Insert Sons of Anarchy reference here!! Britton represented the light, while Grace represented the dark of the CIA. As I mentioned, they both played their parts well and it helped to fuel Stewart and Eisenberg's roles even more.
The action sequences were excellent. The plot of this movie calls for over the top violence, and I think it was handled well. The gore didn't bother me as it made sense of Howell's character in those moments. The shootout at the sargeant's station, as well as the epic showdown at the convenient store are excellent. I think everything that happens in that convenient store showdown is one of the better movie scenes in a while. The different methods and innovation of each part of the fights was shot well and presented an incredible movie experience. Max Landis did well with this.
This ultraviolent, stoner love story is getting a 5/5 for me. I loved the cast, characters, a plot that just keeps building upon itself, action sequences that provide audiences with intense crimson laden action, and a natural relationship that viewers can actually buy. You'll have fun watching this. It's definitely one of my favorite movies this year. It's been a rough year finding movies I liked this year, but this one definitely was awesome.
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