TMMC Reviews: American Ultra: Up in Smoke

I went in to the movie knowing very little about it, I knew that it was about an action/comedy and that it started Jessie Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, two actors that I don’t normal like. After finishing the movie I will say that I was surprised by the movie. It more then beat my expectations as an action movie… but did not exactly live up to the comedy.

American Ultra revolves around Mike Howell (Eisenberg,) A stoner, artists and convince store clerk who wants to propose to his girlfriend Phoebe (Stewart) but keeps getting panic attacks. Little does he know that he is a CIA sleeper agent who has passed his expiration date and the CIA send agent Yates (Topher Grace) to take care of him. After being activated by his old program director Mike must try to understand what’s happening to him and why people are trying to kill him.

*SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT*

I will say that I did enjoy the movie. I normally hate the two leads but Eisenberg and Stewart work well in this movie, at one point when I realized how little time was left I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to see Phoebe kick some butt. I was also very pleased seeing Topher Grace playing the antagonist, as a That’s 70’s Show fan, it’s nice to see Eric Foreman kill a few people.

Now even though I appreciated the acting for an action comedy film, it was not very funny. I recall two moments where I had laughed, one being when he was in Rose’s house and the second being the teddy bear silencer that had to have been my favourite part of the movie!

The action in the movie was fantastic though, seeing Mike use hot ramen as a weapon or using a frying pan to ricochet a bullet into his attacker. Even though it was very over the top I found it fitting for the film. I especially enjoyed the firework barrage near the end of the film; It was a creative way to tie up the need for Rose’s character.

I was severally let down by the ending to the film, Mike goes through this whole experience just to not get to kill Yates? In the end it is done by some character we just meet and don’t care about. I understand that this was done to leave the movie open for a sequel, but it ruined the ending for me. That being said I would not hate to see a sequel, especially if it was done by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie, 21 and 22 Jump Street)

*End of Spoilers*

Now for the real question, is the movie treadmill friendly? Well there are two things we need to look at.

1. Was it to distracting? No, I found that at only one point in the movie did I step too far to one side and that was just when a car crash caught me off guard and startled me.

2. Was it hard to follow along? Yes and No. The story isn't so complex that you need to listen to every second; I caught most of it and had subtitles to help me. That being said my treadmill is somewhat loud, so I had to have my volume up and at some points the speech is too quiet but the action scenes are too loud. You just have to find that balance.

Overall

American Ultra was a fun movie to have as our first Movie Of The Day. Although it had its faults it was an enjoyable flick that didn't cause me to fall of the treadmill. It’s a good movie to throw on while on the treadmill.

American Ultra is the first movie to get the TMMC Treadmill Friendly Seal of Approval! This means that it is a good movie to watch on the treadmill and should not cause any issues.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pros: Eisenberg, Stewart, Grace, interesting action scenes, treadmill friendly

Cons: Not very funny, bad ending,