American Ultra (2015)
Certified: 15
Duration: 96 minutes
Directed by: Nima Nourizadeh
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman, Tony Hale, Monique Ganderton, Stuart Greer, Lavell Crawford
KRS Releasing Ltd

Surreal, comic bookishly violent, edgy and cartoonish, American Ultra is an action comedy that really hits you below the belt.

With an entertaining and likeable central duo, Kirsten Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg, American Ultra is a mash of ideas that shoots all over the place in a wildly entertaining manner. It is reminiscent of graphic novels like Kick-Ass (2010). Nevertheless, it is a completely original work which on that merit alone already makes it quite unique in a market made up of franchises, rehashes and regurgitation of same ideas.

Eisenberg is Mike Howell, a West Virginia resident who works in a mini-market and is afraid of stepping out of line in his town. He lives with his lover Phoebe (Stewart) who seems to take care of his every need. Mike has some brilliant ideas – such as his comic book Apollo Ape – however, in true stoner fashion, does not have the inclination to follow up on them. Somehow managing to save up, Mike is waiting for the right moment to propose to Phoebe.

But behind all this, Mike has been trained to be a cold killer. When under threat, he becomes like a living terminator, turning even a spoon into a dangerous weapon. He had once been part of a secret CIA programme and while his former trainer (Connie Britton) is on his side, the young leader of the agency (Topher Grace) wants him dead.

Eisenberg seems to be having the time of his life as he hacks, stabs and simply annihilates all those who get in his way. He has the stoner look pinned down, perfectly complementing Stewart’s more conservative but still delightful style.

The film works for a variety of reasons. Both its humour and action are a breed apart and there is the smooth and relaxing interaction between Eisenberg and Stewart which gives the film its likeable inner core. And it has got romance and fun, all mixed with action and stoner ingredients which make the movie work.

American Ultra has all the makings of becoming a cult movie so make sure to catch it on the big screen. Alternating with fast and furious takes, the film knows how to entertain.