American Ultra

Not sure what the movie wanted to be. Stoner comedy? Violent thriller? Social commentary? It doesn’t really work at any of those levels. Top it off with weird casting Bill Pullman? Totally wasted (ha, stoner comedy) in what ends up being a cameo. Very violent, sometimes attempting the absurdly comic, sometimes just violent. Silly, serious, sad, and probably trying for funny, but if so, they fell flat. And there’s some throwaway stuff about a graphic novel or comic Eisenberg’s character was obsessed with, but feels like it was an early plot point that got lost in the confusion. I’d say unless you need to complete your viewing of the catalog of Jesse Eisenberg or Kristen Stewart, it’s a pass. As an aside, I’m glad they improved the “fake smoke” effect since they made this. It’s so obviously fake, it actually is distracting.

Apr 13 2023

• Movies