Adventureland – Fooled You!

About a third of the way into Adventureland, a guy in the row in front of me turned to his girlfriend and said, “Yeah, it’s funny, but what is it about?” I laughed. And then I realized, I don’t know either.

So we all kept watching, laughing when appropriate, other times not laughing when it was probably appropriate, and continued waiting … to find out about the story, for more laughs, to eventually care about the people on screen … some of this never happened. I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun by telling you which ones. The movie runs 1 hour, 46 minutes, but you’d swear it was a lot longer by the time it ends. At that point, it doesn’t matter what the movie is about because it should have been about 30 minutes shorter, and you knew the ending halfway through. You just hoped it wouldn’t be that simple. (Yes, it was.)

What does it say about a movie that when it’s over, people are talking about the wrong things? I grew up going to the original Adventureland (holla!) on Long Island (represent!) during the ‘80’s (embarrassing fashion!) and wow. Greg Mottola put together a boring story, but talk about meticulous details. From the fashion, to the hair, to the sneakers … the signature park rides, the tickets, the games, and the bad, repetitive park music. There was very little talk about the actors or the story, other than a general sense of disappointment.

The trailers promise a funny story based on James Brennan’s (Jesse Eisenberg) summer “adventure” working at the amusement park. See? It’s like wordplay: adventure and Adventureland. Except it’s not a fun romp, or a comedy of errors, or a heartwarming coming of age story. It’s over 90 minutes worth of watching Eisenberg moon over Kristen Stewart. As soon as we meet her, we know that she’s the one he wants, and we can already see everything that stands in their way, and how it’s all going to end. The problem with all the delays and the slow pace is that by the time we get there, we don’t care anymore.

The independent feel to the movie is nice, and the soundtrack virtually unrecognizable to me, but what I imagine edgy, independent movies like to use for their soundtracks. Still, I found myself mainly turned off by Stewart and Eisenberg, who spent most of the movie being “awkward,” which unfortunately passes for acting among the teenage/young adult set. Lots of “ummm’s,” and eye contact avoidance, and embarrassment, and look at me, I’m a social outcast, isn’t it ironic? I’d almost recommend the movie based on the supporting cast, and for once, I’m not talking about Ryan Reynolds – though as usual, he’s hot! Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader steal every scene they’re in, and I found myself more entertained by Martin Starr and new discovery Matt Bush. You cared whenever Starr was on the screen, and you laughed whenever the other three were. Two things that otherwise didn’t happen very often.

As a verite, 80’s study in fashion and hairspray, Adventureland has a good time. But if you’re looking for something a little more entertaining, just swing by Long Island and check out the park. I hear they even still have Music Express!

Check out Inisia’s review here!