Read Mixed User Reviews for American Ultra

6

alexbclarkDec 23, 2015

I’d like to tease you with a potentially awesome movie review. I’ve come up with a bunch of great ideas but I just didn’t take the little extra time needed to plan out a cohesive written piece. I’ve devised some uniquely interesting thoughtsI’d like to tease you with a potentially awesome movie review. I’ve come up with a bunch of great ideas but I just didn’t take the little extra time needed to plan out a cohesive written piece. I’ve devised some uniquely interesting thoughts but my execution will be clunky and I’ll beat you over the head with obvious metaphors. This paragraph has been a metaphor for American Ultra.

Most of my enjoyment came Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mike and his dealings with his girlfriend Phoebe (played by the surprisingly awesome Kristen Stewart) and the criminally underutilized, criminal Rose (played by John Leguizamo).

The rest of the cast however… well they run the spectrum from whatever to yeeeeesh. I’m looking at you Topher Grace.

American Ultra is ultra okay. There is a lot of solid action and a lot of solid comedic moments. Jesse Eisenberg works great with Kristen Stewart and John Leguizamo but the rest of the cast is a bit blah. Could have been a great movie, just needed more time and polish.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

nascentOct 2, 2015

This is pretty much a Borne Identity/Last Kiss Good Night ripoff.

Terrible setup, character introductions were handled very poorly. stoner element severely downplayed, and scenario established very messily. Pretty much the whole firstThis is pretty much a Borne Identity/Last Kiss Good Night ripoff.

Terrible setup, character introductions were handled very poorly. stoner element severely downplayed, and scenario established very messily. Pretty much the whole first half hour is a waste of time. Dialog is pretty bad, and the characters are paper thin. For the rest of the film: Unpolished action and choreography. The final action set piece was decent but not quite Borne level. The villains are b-movie level cheesy.
The last hour was watchable, wouldn't recommend it though.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

TimbarosSep 8, 2015

Take a bit of a James Bond movie, another part from Cheech & Chong, and mix it up with elements of the recent film 'Spy' and out comes the new movie 'American Ultra.'

'American Ultra' is a spy action thriller movie masquerading as a stonerTake a bit of a James Bond movie, another part from Cheech & Chong, and mix it up with elements of the recent film 'Spy' and out comes the new movie 'American Ultra.'

'American Ultra' is a spy action thriller movie masquerading as a stoner film (have a look at the film poster and you'll see) with lots and lots of comedy. And once it's over you think the person who wrote the film (Max Landis) must've been high on something when he wrote it. Mike (Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network) and Phoebe (Kristen Stewart) are, basically, potheads, living in what seems like a very empty town in West Virginia. They've been together for several years, with Mike never getting the courage to ask her to marry him. He's booked a trip to take her to Hawaii to propose but he's afraid of flying so they never actually get on the plane. But Mike's content with his job as a cashier at the local Cash & Carry, where there never seems to be any customers. But he's not the person you think he is. He's actually a sleeper agent, a machine, created by the CIA, and they want him terminated - NOW. So one day in his store walks in CIA agent Victoria Lasseter (Connie Britton). She's come to town to rescue him - Mike was an experiment she created - a machine with superpowers - so she feels the need to play mother and protect her offspring. Mike has no idea who she is - but she's able to activate him - turning on his superpowers so that he can protect himself. But CIA supervisor Adrian Yates (Topher Grace) wants him destroyed - at all costs. Even if it means killing Agent Lasseter in the process. So he sets up a command post in Mike's town to look for him and to have him killed, bringing in tow with him soldiers who used to be mental patients. So in between all this we get explosions, lots of gunfire, and a visit to the home of Mike and Kirsten's pot dealer (John Leguizamo) where they go to hide. It all leads up to an extremely bloody conclusion in the town's discount superstore (a la Walmart).

As mentioned earlier, 'American Ultra's' script is so far out there that one wonders where Landis (son of director John Landis) got his idea for the film. And Director Nima Nourizadeh (whose only other directing credit is 2012's 'Project X' where three high school seniors host a party that spirals out of control) keeps the action flowing, which takes place over the course of one night, but he can't help but let the silliness of the plot take over. Mike and Kirsten seem to be the most sensible people in the film, whereby the CIA agents are badly drawn as buffoon carton characters who can't pull off their mission. 'American Ultra' reminds me a bit of 'This is the End' - Seth Rogen and James Franco's 2013 comedy about the end of the world - where it just keeps on getting funnier and more surrealistic. 'American Ultra,' even though it looks slick, seems to be missing the ingredients that made 'This is the End' memorable. And while it's a good ride that may make you high from just watching it, it's also very silly to be taken as a true comedy. 'American Ultra' is not as good as a Bond film, but, in it's favor, it's not as bad as 'Spy.'

'American Ultra' is now out in theatres.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

ydnar4Nov 11, 2015

We were promised a different movie here than the one that we got. The film is not nearly as action packed or funny as it looked in the trailer. Kristen Stewart is great in this movie but her role is a little overused and you will understandWe were promised a different movie here than the one that we got. The film is not nearly as action packed or funny as it looked in the trailer. Kristen Stewart is great in this movie but her role is a little overused and you will understand why when a certain twist is unleashed midway through the film. You expect Stewart to just play the straight man to the anxious Eisenberg, but this movie is more of a romance than anything. Rather than focus on the action that everyone wants the story is relying on a fine romance but is really unnecessary in this type or film.

Another disappointment I had with this film was the lack of fun. It does not have the tone that you expect and it really doesn’t have the flare that attracts your eye and makes you want to watch the film. The action that are waiting for finally comes in the final act but its not quite fulfilling after waiting so long for it to arrive. I also believe that most people are going taren’t going to be able to make connections with this movie. It seems like you have to be a stoner in order to find the humour in this movie. I will say that the only character I found the slightest bit funny was the villain played by Topher Grace. Grace was kind of funny but he still wasn’t a good villain, his motives are a little unclear as well. You would think he’d never be on the evil side again after Spider-man 3 but I was wrong. Sadly American Ultra was one of the biggest disappointments I have had this year.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

bonoesAug 31, 2015

Literally every funny part in the movie was in the trailer. I hyped everyone up for this movie after finding out that Max Landis wrote this. I dragged 3 people to the theater for this and I think there was maybe one chuckle out of the group.Literally every funny part in the movie was in the trailer. I hyped everyone up for this movie after finding out that Max Landis wrote this. I dragged 3 people to the theater for this and I think there was maybe one chuckle out of the group. I felt embarrassed for hyping this up to my friends and family.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

SojumAug 24, 2015

Not funny enough to be a comedy. Not enough action to be a thriller. It's as if the movie doesn't know what it wants to be so it never fully reaches in any direction. What you end up with is a mildly amusing, highly predictableNot funny enough to be a comedy. Not enough action to be a thriller. It's as if the movie doesn't know what it wants to be so it never fully reaches in any direction. What you end up with is a mildly amusing, highly predictable rom-ish-com-ish. Seems the marketing team couldn't quite figure it out either, based on the ads that really misrepresent the film. If you think you're going to see a funny, stoner action-comedy you're going to be sorely disappointed.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

ScrawnyPunkAug 23, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Vaguely interesting, kind of like an extra-violent Scott Pilgrim with a twist of Jason Bourne. If I was in my 20s, I probably would have enjoyed this much more. Unfortunately, I'm an old fart and have seen everything this movie has to offer. However, it is entertaining enough for weekend escapism.

The good: very well-acted all around (except for Walton Goggins, unusually enough), good pacing, and a number of humorous doperisms.

The bad: lack of originality. It starts out as Pineapple Express, veers into Jason Bourne territory, and ends like True Lies (and Red 2...and every other spy-love movie imaginable).

The verdict: all execution and no strategy. Thus 5 stars.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

TVJerryAug 25, 2015

This is one of those flix where the trailer makes it look like a comedy with action. Truth: it's a few fights with almost no laffs. Jesse Eisenberg plays a stoner who lives in a small town with his girl (Kristen Stewart). Turns out he's aThis is one of those flix where the trailer makes it look like a comedy with action. Truth: it's a few fights with almost no laffs. Jesse Eisenberg plays a stoner who lives in a small town with his girl (Kristen Stewart). Turns out he's a sleeper agent, who's highly lethal skills are awakened when the CIA agent mounts a campaign to eliminate him (why was never clear). The plot is basically simple, but the details convoluted. It's really about watching Eisenberg go the action hero route, which he does with his typical confused, wimpy personality. The fights have an ultra-violent edge, but in a quick cartoon style that minimizes the impact. Unfortunately, the talky scenes are slow and lack any interest. It's not a total disappointment, but not especially cool, funny or edgy either.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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6

mikemacAug 25, 2015

the movie was watchable more for the 18 to 25 group but these actors are mediocre to begin with, Hollywood just doesn't seem to be getting real actors anymore with real talent its relying to much on special effect to put out a movie thesethe movie was watchable more for the 18 to 25 group but these actors are mediocre to begin with, Hollywood just doesn't seem to be getting real actors anymore with real talent its relying to much on special effect to put out a movie these days, and these kind of actors for filler with no real acting abilities, if you have ever seen the twilight series i rest my case… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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6

LeZeeFeb 14, 2016

A very familiar theme, as well as a small quantity entertainer.

The second movie for the director. His first, 'Project X' was an unexpected full treat. I simply loved that one, just for the entertainment's sake. I anticipated, 'Project XX'A very familiar theme, as well as a small quantity entertainer.

The second movie for the director. His first, 'Project X' was an unexpected full treat. I simply loved that one, just for the entertainment's sake. I anticipated, 'Project XX' or 'Project Y', followed by 'XXX' or 'Z', but that never happened. I thought the director was setting up his own style of filmmaking, but this film did not clinch well. There's no story, just based on one evening event that stretches as far as another day by adding brief oral flashbacks to match with the rest of the storyline. But the fact is it was a comedy version of 'Hitman'.

The red band trailer I saw revealed many stuffs, but the movie still offered lots of variety from the different angles of the same stuffs. Jesse Eisenberg, I never expected him to play a character like this, he was good. But it was only a partial display, if there is a sequel, I expect that would be an uncompromised when it comes to the stunts and heroic adventure. Although I enjoyed the end credit animation.

Kristen Stewart was just hanging around, though her character had potential to be a game changer, so let's hope the sequel strengthens that part. Yeah, I'm kind of certain about the follow-up after seeing this film's ending, if they don't consider to make one, that would be theirs great loss. Anyway, the movie is a good entertainer, but not your unusual story as you expect it to be.

6/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

FilmPhonicOct 5, 2015

Jesse Eisenberg is reunited with his ‘Adventureland’ co-star Kristen Stewart as a pair of dysfunctional star-crossed lovers in a genre mash-up film that flirts with being a parody of a super-agent action/thriller, but ‘American Ultra’ isn’tJesse Eisenberg is reunited with his ‘Adventureland’ co-star Kristen Stewart as a pair of dysfunctional star-crossed lovers in a genre mash-up film that flirts with being a parody of a super-agent action/thriller, but ‘American Ultra’ isn’t consistently funny enough to be a parody, or a comedy for that matter.

In only his second film director Nima Nourizadeh tries to bring together several disparate elements into a bizarre comedic stoner love story mixed with a graphically violent spy action thriller, clearly inspired by much of Matthew Vaughan’s recent work and 2008’s ‘Pineapple Express’, but the result is an uncompelling mess.

The basic storyline is lifted directly from the ‘Bourne’ trilogy and infused with an absurd love story that cringingly attempts to be sincere and touching while a ludicrous amount of ultra-violence occurs around it, aside from a couple of moments ‘American Ultra’ is devoid of any real humour despite being a comedy and the absurd nature of the narrative gets old quickly.

The pace of the film is all over the place with action scenes broken up by misguided attempts at romance and tenderness, and when all else fails the action comes to the rescue right? Wrong, aside from a few creative ways of murdering people and the odd explosion, we can’t figure out how a $30 million budget for an independent film can deliver so little.

Jesse Eisenberg does his level best at essentially playing a young Woody Allen starring in a comedy remake of the ‘Bourne Identity’, Kristen Stewart does her best to stay out of the way but ultimately ‘American Ultra’ is less than the sum of its parts. A half-baked (pardon the pun) idea that only ever threatens to break out into a coherent and entertaining film.

The Bottom Line…
‘American Ultra’ is an ineffective mix of genre films which fails to capture the balance of elements that make them enjoyable, a derivative mess that’s marginally entertaining, occasionally funny and just barely watchable.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

MadMaxFuryRoadDec 23, 2015

Way-too overrated. I hated this movie so much. I guess it might be because I was expecting too much, but seriously this movie sucked. The action was weird and insane, and the characters weren't even likable. The villain was weak and the filmWay-too overrated. I hated this movie so much. I guess it might be because I was expecting too much, but seriously this movie sucked. The action was weird and insane, and the characters weren't even likable. The villain was weak and the film was torn apart by the weak script. Extremely disappointed. (43/100)… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

JacobMay 23, 2016

American Ultra is a fun sober movie that is probably a blast while high. While the characters and story are average at best the sense of fun created by anything and everything being a weapon makes the film worthwhile. Whenever the actionAmerican Ultra is a fun sober movie that is probably a blast while high. While the characters and story are average at best the sense of fun created by anything and everything being a weapon makes the film worthwhile. Whenever the action kicks in it is so dumb, goofy, and cartoony like something out of the 80s. From the blood squirts to the bizarre kills the quirk nature of the film makes it worthwhile. I wouldn’t be surprise if this film develops a fan base or cult following as a great stoner film but the been there done that story could also hold it back for some.… Expand