TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Michelle Ridley The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

studioAT This is a decent enough film, with a likable cast. It's got an interesting enough premise, and a good soundtrack.However I think it has been looked at with rose tinted specs by those who proclaim it as a modern day classic, and the sort of film that the late, great John Hughes would've been making today.I mean, it's good, but it's not great. It has too much bad language for my taste, as well as an over reliance on sex for the source of its humour.I think those people need to take the specs off and see it for what it is.

Michael Fuchs I find it hard to decide if I want to applaud this movie for doing away with the usual obviously designed dialogues that exceed the characters intellect, or to criticise it for its very few original and surprising moments. One clear issue I have with embracing the former perspective is that the characters themselves are hopelessly exaggerated. The likable nerd, the philosophical jew, the femme fatale waiting to be rescued by true love, the sexy gum-popping lipstick chick, the bald mother-in-law witch, the lets-hit-each-other-in-the-balls jokester, the queer folks running an amusement park... The only character which has a slightly surprising side to me would have to be Connell, who is an adulterer and liar but still manages to be a likable guy, and garner some sympathy when he doesn't rat James out. So you construct a story that has not much originality over any other romcoms, cook up the characters out of the usual rather one- dimensional repertoire, then try to be more realistic and life-like about their dialogues? To me, this ended up being neither fish nor fowl.Still, to some degree, I can't help but succumbing to the romantic summer fair attraction of Adventureland, its crew, its atmosphere. If you want to watch a similar themed movie, with more heart, originality and less pathos, consider The Way Way Back.

Yuscha Anindya When a trip to Europe is suddenly canceled because of monetary reasons, a fresh college graduate with little to no job experience has to work in an amusement park (aka Adventureland) to save up for money. What seems to be a measly job will change his life forever.Adventureland has your usual coming-of-age drama formula: an unusual premise, an unique aesthetic, and a soundtrack filled with indie sweethearts mixed with oldies-but-goodies. Some movies may fail on the execution, but not with this one.The movie takes a realistic approach with somber tones, taking on life problems that may hit too close to home, and handling on issues that are authentic without glamorizing them. The performances brought out by the main characters are top-notch. The soundtrack may sound pretentious, but just the right amount of pretentiousness, as the songs really brought out the heavy atmosphere the movie intends to show.Some subplots may deemed unnecessary, and the plot may dragged on a little bit, but it was an enjoyable experience. I was a bit confused as why it was tagged under a Comedy genre, as the jokes are spread thinly across the movie.A perfect movie for teenagers and adults alike.

Python Hyena Adventureland (2009): Dir: Greg Mottola / Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader, Martin Starr: Teen comedy that remembers the joys and heartaches of youth. Jesse Eisenberg plays a college graduate who works at an amusement park during the summer. Director Greg Mottola has fun with the location and really gives viewers an idea of what working at such a job is like. He previously scored big with Superbad, which is also a comedy about youth. Eisenberg does well experiencing one's first job and romance. Kristen Stewart plays off one's anger towards parents and the false security of wrong relationships. Her father is involved with a woman whom she spites due too the phoniness. Unfortunately, as many of these films do, they seem to solve their issues with sex in a manner that seems taken for granted. Ryan Reynolds plays a maintenance worker having a marital affair with Stewart. He symbolizes males who can achieve affection from beautiful women but cannot commit. He does commit to helping his mother though, which allows him some sympathy. Bill Hader steals scenes as the theme park manager with amusing methods to restoring order. Martin Starr plays an employee who has no luck with women but bonds with Eisenberg. Winning comedy that reflects one's first job and the baggage that makes it all memorable. Score: 9 / 10