American Ultra
Directed by:
Nima NourizadehScreenplay:
Max LandisCinematography:
Michael BonvillainCast:
Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Connie Britton, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo, Tony Hale, Jim Klock, Bill Pullman, Nash Edgerton (more)Plots(1)
Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) is an ordinary, unmotivated slacker who lives in a small north-western town with his tomboyish girlfriend, Phoebe Larson (Kristen Stewart). Mike works as a clerk at the grocery store and is shocked one day by the incredible ninja-like fighting powers he unleashes on two car jackers. Unknown to Mike, he is a highly trained lethal sleeper agent whose memory has been erased and Phoebe is his covert handler. Both are in danger when a rogue CIA agent (Topher Grace) decides to terminate the sleeper program, and Mike along with it. The CIA leaks a fake malaria outbreak to the media and quarantines the town, cutting the power and releasing hell in the form of helicopters, drone strikes and worst of all, a new breed of deranged killer agents. But Mike’s latent skills have been ‘activated’ and he lets fly with a torrent of kick-assery he didn’t know he was capable of. (Roadshow Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (3)
It's not that the jokes in American Ultra are weak - they're almost non-existent. Although the film is presented as an action comedy, it doesn't seem like a comedy at all, because it lacks insight, funny one-liners and relieving elements, and its protagonists, scared to death and on the verge of tears, and fleeing from killer psychopaths, are far from entertaining. The film is more of an action thriller with several comically-overshot scenes and untapped potential, drowned in failed dialogues, not very well-directed actors and below-average directing.
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The movie is pretty silly, but the creators didn't aim to make viewers overthink. Instead, they served up a rollercoaster of action-filled entertainment. I wouldn't recommend this film to those seeking an artistic experience or to anyone who finds a dental visit traumatic a week in advance. However, if you're in the mood for a mentally undemanding, action-packed thrill ride where you'll discover that knives aren't the most dangerous kitchen tools, grab your raincoat and dive in. / Lesson learned: In experienced hands, even yogurt can be a deadly weapon.
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I had no idea what to expect from this film, so I was very surprised by its development in the end. And quite pleasantly, I have to say. The action scenes work well, but thanks to the main duo, it also works elsewhere. Topher Grace still serves as a pretty good comedic character, so he navigates the more amusing moments quite well. The story doesn't surprise much but it's not bad at all.
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