American Ultra

I had a great time with this movie. Jesse Eisenbergs character is really likable and and laid back, even in the face of explosions and gunshots. It's not An Oscar worthy movie, but it is what it is. A fun action movie.

This review does not contain spoilers, it just talks about the actors and the general mood the film has.

I started watching this expecting to hate it quite a bit, because I really don't like Jesse as an actor at all. I was quite surprised to find myself laughing, feeling and getting excited from the very beginning. I guess you could say that this movie was "ultra" fine ;). The action was great with enough blood for someone who likes movies along the lines of Kick-ass and similar. The comedy was funny enough to punch through the serious moments of the movie to give you a quick laugh before it throws you back into the quite depressing storyline. The twists (while i expected them a mile away unfortunately) had you feeling heavily for the protagonist. My final thoughts about this movie are that Kristin Stewart really can give a great performance. Do not judge her just on twilight.

If you don't enjoy this movie even a little bit i think you really need to lighten up.

I just watched it for the 3rd time over the last 6yrs and was still entertained. It's not a perfect movie, but it's fun and if you're just looking for pure entertainment, it's worth the watch: funny moments, full of action and some solid actors (along with a couple so-so ones). Laugher was great and even brought some emotion to his last scene. Flaws: Stewart in the female lead wasn't a great choice and it wasn't Toffer's best acting, the drug dealer was cartoonish and it could've benefited from some additional character development and more details about the back story. I'm giving it 8 stars, because despite all its flaws, it's genuinely an enjoyable watch and you won't be bored. I don't regret watching it... again.

Mike Howell is a stoner living in a small West Virginia town with his girlfriend Phoebe Larson. He is hoping to propose to her during a holiday in Hawaii but has a panic attack at the airport... as he does every time he tries to leave town. After this incident he starts to wonder why Phoebe stays with him. We soon learn that he isn't an ordinary young man; he is part of a CIA programme known as 'Wiseman'... he doesn't know it but he is a highly trained super-soldier! Back at CIA headquarters Agent Victoria Lasseter, who headed the programme, is warned that all Wiseman agents are being eliminated by similar 'Tough Guy' agents run by rival agent Adrian Yates. She heads to West Virginia and meets Mike and gives him his activation code... he has no ideas what the words mean but shortly afterwards when he is attacked by two Tough Guys he dispatches them with a spoon! He still has no memory but he knows he must fight for his life to save himself and Phoebe as more agents come to kill him.

This film is a bit silly but that doesn't matter as it is a lot of fun. There are quite a few humorous moments as well as plenty of action. It must be stated that the action is brutal to degree that might disturb some viewers. In many ways Mike is very like 'Jason Bourne'... an elite agent with memory problems; he is also very different as he doesn't know he has memory problems and Bourne didn't do drugs and draw comics. The story manages to provide some decent twists. The cast is solid; most notably Jesse Eisenberg who is a lot of fun as Mike... a character who is understandably confused when he realises he has elite combat skills. Kristen Stewart provides solid support as Phoebe. Topher Grace is good fun as villain Yates; he isn't a typical action movie villain... his character is far from tough. Overall this is a fun film that provides solid action with some good laughs.

Anyone who watches this movie and takes it at face value won't enjoy it. As is often the case with over the top, over exaggerated movie, check your common sense at the door and ride it like a roller coaster.

American Ultra is ultra violent, ultra simplistic and yes, a little stupid. But I think it's supposed to be?

As B Movie or just "childish R Rated" pleasure, this movie works. A lot of things going for it actually: a very punch mise en scène, some good casting and good performances from Kristen Stewart & co. given the genre and topic.... and yes, good fun.

Given the negative reviews, this may sound defensive but I am sure that a lot of people will enjoy it for what it is. DOn't expect the next Avengers and yes, don't expect anything deep.