American Ultra: Movie Review

Nima Nourizadeh’s “American Ultra” may not be as wildly insane as his 2012 directorial debut, “Project X”. However, it feels a whole lot fresher than most of the Spy-films that have been released lately (I count four in the past four weeks alone, including this week’s other new release “Hitman: Agent 47”, last week’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and of course “Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation”). I enjoyed “U.N.C.L.E.” for the most part and “Rogue Nation” is pretty awesome, but “American Ultra is a completely different type of Spy film. This is a fun, energetic action flick with a little “Halfbaked” and “Harold & Kumar” thrown in.

When Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) isn’t working at the local convenience store, he is home with his loving girlfriend Phoebe (Kristen Stewart) getting high and burning omelets on the stove. Mike wants to propose to Phoebe and he even planned a trip to Hawaii for them, where he would pop the question. Unfortunately Mike’s pre-boarding panic attack puts an end to the trip. Mike suffers from these attacks anytime he tries to leave his hometown.

What Mike doesn’t realize is that he is in fact a very deadly government agent that has been targeted for extermination by Adrian Yates (Topher Grace). Mike’s seemingly simple existence is shattered when Victoria Lasseter (Connie Britton) activates Mike’s training so that he can defend himself from those who are coming to kill him. Mike must not only defend himself, but also protect Phoebe who could also be a target.

“American Ultra” is not a great movie but it is funny at times and moves along pretty quickly. There are a few great action sequences. My favorite taking place in a grocery store in which Mike uses various items on the store shelves as weapons. Yes, even in the frozen food isle. I have a feeling that this one may not find a large audience during its theatrical run but it might become a big hit on VOD. After all, I also have a feeling those who might enjoy “American Ultra” most will want to get baked on their couch while watching it.

By: Marc Ferman