Watching American Ultra was like reading a comic book. Not a really good one though. The average sorts. It was fun whilst it lasted.
TWISTS AND TURNS OF AMERICAN ULTRA
As we take the reins of the joy ride, we find characters reeking of normalcy in the starting bit, if we overlook the battered protagonist in the prologue for a second. We think everything is going fine then boom comes the jackhammer, and the story takes a colossal twist. It unfurls into a bigger plot that tells you that you have been looking at it all wrong. Comical factors pop in and you at once understand, “Oh! So it is going to pitter-patter like that.” You switch that mode on overlooking everything then, all the elements that constitute to form a good movie. Yes, it isn’t a good movie.
HUMOUR OF AMERICAN ULTRA
There is some humour in the movie, yes. They try to make you laugh with some extraordinary characters like John Leguizamo’s Rose which was brilliant. Topher Grace is great as Adrian Yates. Laugher tries to enter the theatrical juncture only to compel you into hating him more. Jesse Eisenberg is exceptional as Mike Howell. You couldn’t have found a better actor to play the confused Mike. Good job there!
A CLICHED TALE
Comes with a pretty nonsensical clichéd concept of turning an agent with a code word, which we have seen many times in a bad Disney movie, this one started heading towards disaster right then and thereon. The music further broils it further by going into juvenile trenches with upbeats trying to rescue the flick whenever action came. Editing of American Ultra was well, okay, as it focused on dire elements alone, and decided not to bore you with a constant adrenaline.
BEAUTIFUL CHEMISTRY
The chemistry Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg try to weave with this was good though. It keeps you engaged. With all the cheesy dialogues and stupid gore you still manage to rivet yourself to your seats. I loved the fact that despite everything Mike yapped about, Phoebe would always listen to each word he said with rapt attention.
However, eventually Max Landis doesn’t go original with the writing, and it ends up like a clichéd tale which is good only for one-time watching.
American Ultra
Pros
- Has a comic feel to it
- Jesse and Kristen chemistry is good
- Storyline unfurls into a bigger plot
- It was fun to watch Jesse lose it
- Has gut-wrenching gore
Cons
- Nonsensical concept
- Unoriginal and cliched
- Screenplay has nothing to offer
- Has an unrealistic feel
