Adventureland - 80's teen comedy made in the 21st century. (Adventureland (DVD))

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	Adventureland (DVD)
Date:	18/09/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good characters

Disadvantages: somehwhat annoying Ryan Reynolds

Set in the Summer of 1987, James Brennan (Jesee Eisenberg) has just graduated from high school and is looking forward

Unlike the recent 'Year of the Dog', the film does not solely rely on telling a quirky tale and copy films like Napoleon Dynamite and the work of Wes Anderson. It is clever in its own way and while genuinely funny is also a good piece of drama.

I don't really understand why this film was marketed as a 'Superbad' style comedy, as it is nothing of the sort. Thats probably a good thing - but anyone expecting the gross-out comedy of that film will probably be quite disappointed. The film is much darker and much more drama orientated. There is a link though as Bill Hader turns in a good performance as Adventureland's eccentric owner and is probably the funniest character in the film. Don't get me wrong - there are some really funny moments, but its not a ball-out comedy like Superbad.

One annoying aspect of the film was the need to get a star role in the film and Ryan Reynolds is a bit of a distraction. I don't really like the guy either and is too much opf a pretty boy to be anything worthwhile in this film, but for the plot I suppose he is necessary.

Jesse Eisenberg is very good in the lead role playing James Brennan the loser kid with hard-up parents. His character grew on me as the film developed and wasn't in the least bit irritating. He was very much modelled though on a Michael Cera type performance.

Kristen Stewart is also very good - even if she does flick her hair about and huff at every opportunity. Both characters were well matched by the actors and I felt much more empathy towards them than in other films about teenagers.

I enjoyed Matt Bush's performance as the annoying 'Frigo' who always was doing something inappropriate at the wrong time (peeing up some French windows during a party and striking Brennan in the nuts at every opportunity).

If you like quirky films and coming of age dramas, then Adventureland is a safe bet. Its different in many ways and I found it very enjoyable. Worth renting at least.

Summary: A good Juno-esque film