Kristen Stewart made her name in the 'Twilight' saga, Twilight (2008), in which she played Bella, a sad emo or goth girl, who was rather socially excluded until she met her boyfriend. However her romance was complicated by her boyfriend being a vampire, a competing boy being a shape-shifting wolf, and their respective tribes of vampires and wolves also adding to the mix.
Miss Stewart has now escaped all that nonsense and now in 'American Ultra' she plays Phoebe, the girlfriend of an ordinary boy, played by Jesse Eisenberg. After an unnecessary brief opening scene, we find that boy and girl are somewhat socially withdrawn, drugged-up and loved- up, druggie stoners. These early scenes seem rather sad, as do the scenes when Mr Eisenberg's character is struggling to cope with his life. We also see his work-life. He has a rather dead-end job, working in a general store, but he is a conscientious worker, who knows his product range, and takes pride in his stock-control and stock-rotation.
However all is not as it seems. The CIA are lurking in the background too. It soon transpires that we are in fact in the 'Bourne' universe of 'The Bourne Identity' (2002), and that ensuing saga, of a super-spy with no memory, and competing and rogue spy groups. However, 'American Ultra' is a spy-spoof, a spy comedy on this 'Bourne' theme.
As such 'American Ultra' compares well with the similarly themed 'Spy' of earlier this year. However whilst 'Spy' may be described as being aimed at an adult audience, 'American Ultra' is much more suited to young adults. The young couple, Miss Stewart and Mr Eisenberg, give good performances, acting well, particularly in the more emotional and poignant scenes. The earlier romantic scenes seemed irritating, although also rather realistic, and sad. However the audience, certainly this reviewer, found a growing attachment to them and their relationship. A sad slow start, too, soon gave way to an entertaining and funny film.
There were also some good supporting roles too. Connie Britton gives a solid performance as a spy operative. Walton Goggins plays well his over the top character. Familiar, for his great performance as Shane in the TV series 'The Shield' (2002), it should also be noted, that appropriately enough, he also appeared in 'The Bourne Identity' (2002). There is also a small appearance by John Leguizamo, always worth seeing, ever since his explosive appearance as Benny Blanco (from d'Bronx) in 'Carlito's Way' (1993).
'American Ultra' is rated as 15 in the UK. An action-comedy, it is light on the comedy, but heavy on the violence. There are some entertaining fight scenes, one reminded me of Jason Statham, as well as a lot of bloody violence too. Some scenes were reminiscent of the bloody violence shown in 'The Wild Bunch' (1969) and 'Killing Them Softly (2012).
Whilst being a play on the 'Bourne' theme, 'American Ultra' also has a plot that reminds you somewhat of 'Three Days of the Condor' (1975) and 'The Crazies' (1973). Plus there are also a couple of shots, one of which reminded me of 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' (2014), and another which is an iconic, and now also clichéd and oft-repeated, scene from '48 Hrs.' (1982).
Film ends with a final scene, that like the first one, I thought at first was unnecessary. However the scene ends well and fittingly, as did the entertaining end-credits.
Not many laughs, but is entertaining. 9/10.
Miss Stewart has now escaped all that nonsense and now in 'American Ultra' she plays Phoebe, the girlfriend of an ordinary boy, played by Jesse Eisenberg. After an unnecessary brief opening scene, we find that boy and girl are somewhat socially withdrawn, drugged-up and loved- up, druggie stoners. These early scenes seem rather sad, as do the scenes when Mr Eisenberg's character is struggling to cope with his life. We also see his work-life. He has a rather dead-end job, working in a general store, but he is a conscientious worker, who knows his product range, and takes pride in his stock-control and stock-rotation.
However all is not as it seems. The CIA are lurking in the background too. It soon transpires that we are in fact in the 'Bourne' universe of 'The Bourne Identity' (2002), and that ensuing saga, of a super-spy with no memory, and competing and rogue spy groups. However, 'American Ultra' is a spy-spoof, a spy comedy on this 'Bourne' theme.
As such 'American Ultra' compares well with the similarly themed 'Spy' of earlier this year. However whilst 'Spy' may be described as being aimed at an adult audience, 'American Ultra' is much more suited to young adults. The young couple, Miss Stewart and Mr Eisenberg, give good performances, acting well, particularly in the more emotional and poignant scenes. The earlier romantic scenes seemed irritating, although also rather realistic, and sad. However the audience, certainly this reviewer, found a growing attachment to them and their relationship. A sad slow start, too, soon gave way to an entertaining and funny film.
There were also some good supporting roles too. Connie Britton gives a solid performance as a spy operative. Walton Goggins plays well his over the top character. Familiar, for his great performance as Shane in the TV series 'The Shield' (2002), it should also be noted, that appropriately enough, he also appeared in 'The Bourne Identity' (2002). There is also a small appearance by John Leguizamo, always worth seeing, ever since his explosive appearance as Benny Blanco (from d'Bronx) in 'Carlito's Way' (1993).
'American Ultra' is rated as 15 in the UK. An action-comedy, it is light on the comedy, but heavy on the violence. There are some entertaining fight scenes, one reminded me of Jason Statham, as well as a lot of bloody violence too. Some scenes were reminiscent of the bloody violence shown in 'The Wild Bunch' (1969) and 'Killing Them Softly (2012).
Whilst being a play on the 'Bourne' theme, 'American Ultra' also has a plot that reminds you somewhat of 'Three Days of the Condor' (1975) and 'The Crazies' (1973). Plus there are also a couple of shots, one of which reminded me of 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' (2014), and another which is an iconic, and now also clichéd and oft-repeated, scene from '48 Hrs.' (1982).
Film ends with a final scene, that like the first one, I thought at first was unnecessary. However the scene ends well and fittingly, as did the entertaining end-credits.
Not many laughs, but is entertaining. 9/10.