Not quite what everyone was expecting... (Adventureland (DVD))

Member Name: StrongSide

Product:	Adventureland (DVD)
Date:	19/09/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has some hilarious scenes, great depth to its drama, superb cast except...

Disadvantages: Ryan Reynolds (he seemed out of place)

As soon as the intriguing words "From the director of Superbad" modestly flashed on the trailer, Adventureland became a must watch for the thousands of Apatow-style comedy fans out there.

Firstly, I want to highlight and take note of the amazing soundtrack this film has. Lou Reed, The New York Dolls, The Cure, Bowie... it really captured its time setting and the songs added much needed poignancy to certain scenes, which continued throughout.

This time we have a recent 1987 college graduate James Brennan (Jesee Eisenberg) who in need of school fundings and his near future, gets a summer job at an amusement park; Adventureland where he meets a brilliant array of characters and experiences more than he expected from some part-time Carnival employment.

I will say that although it does have its similarities to Superbad, such as James Brennan resembling Evan and the (at times) hilariously vulgar jokes, it's definitely more of a drama and less subtle with its message. Brennan had to grow on me and I went from seriously not liking or understanding his character to finding his small mannerisms very humorous.

Matt Bush played the clown of the film, Frigo, who I didn't find overly funny to be honest. His jokes weren't anywhere near as good as Jonah Hill's in Superbad. There were also a couple of usual suspects such as Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Bill Hader (pretty much every recent comedy), who are always great. Kristen Stewart was excellent throughout. I haven't seen her since Panic Room in 2001 but I thought it was a very well chosen cast who complement and balance each other perfectly.

Overall, it won't appeal to the diehard fans of Superbad as much as people speculated and from the slightly misleading trailer but it has a deeper message and better subplots with some genuinely funny and moving moments.

Summary: Most certainly worth the watch and a buy