Adventureland doesn't deserve the praise it is getting - uneven tone; mostly cliched characters and dialogue; overdone gags. For being a film about an amusement park, there is nothing really amusing about it. It flatlines from the start and there are no dips or curves along the way. I give it a 4 for the few moments that actually had some charm and promise -- mostly when no one was speaking and the soundtrack was doing all the work.… Expand

The film had many serious flaws. The director could have tightened up the film and made it 20 minutes shorter so it moved more quickly. And the cinematography was poor in choice of shots and some lighting. The main characters were all a little too self absorbed, but that's typical of late teen behavior. It could have been much better with direction from an adult point of view rather than a teen point of view. The perspective would have given it some much needed air.… Expand

For what it was, it was excellent. Not a true comedy, not a true drama... it certainly succeeds as the tongue-in-cheek dramedy that it aims to be. Looking at the cast list, who would seriously expect this movie to be absolutely brilliant? Even Ryan Reynolds, the so-called 'acting heavyweight' of this merry little band, isn't exactly on the cusp of winning any Oscars. It didn't put me on the floor or rip my heart out, but I smiled for 2 hours and immediately decided that I would watch it again in the future.… Expand

Very few teen flicks manages to keep it as real as this one. Adventureland is a breath of fresh air with an excellent cast. Finally a teen flick about normal kids, far from the boring done-to-death Hollywood clichés of nerds, members of the football team and cheerleaders. OK, there are some nerds, but hey, nerds are the norm!

It captures what I felt at 21 or 22 - a little lost coming out of college, a lot lost on relationships, and trying to have a good time in the midst of all that. It's not out to make you laugh the whole way through, but it is sweet, funny, and true to life. As for the ending, despite being predictable, it suits the tone of the rest of the film.

No laughs until almost the end- when Brennan got his revenge with the punch in the nuts- the rest of it was boringly obvious- the ending so sentimental and predictable.

Not exactly hilarious, but it does have some funny moments. I would not class this as a comedy personally anyway, despite its comedic overtones. Adventureland is a good film, but not great.

Given my affection for "Superbad" and the stream of laudatory pre-release notices, "adventureland" has to be considered a disappointment. It's entertaining and always watchable; the actors, particularly Jesse Eisenberg, are appealing; and the recreation of mid-80's middle America is convincing, nuanced,and sharply observed. But I didn't find any of these characters interesting or revealing as people, and as a coming-of-age love story, it not only lacks transcendence-it doesn't even seem to believe in it.… Expand

I went to the theatre expecting to see a hilarious yet ultimately forgettable comedy (a la Superbad or, more recently -- and to a slightly lesser degree -- I Love You, Man), and was delighted to have instead experienced one of the most thoroughly enjoyable and relatable films in years. The plot lives in a territory that is not altogether new (a claim I think few films can make), and the characters are built upon standard coming-of-age archetypes, but the combination of acting (especially by Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg), writing, and ambiance makes you think and feel for the characters. (Longer, more detailed review here.)… Expand

I went to this movie with a few of my buddies promising them a crude "Judd Apatow" esque movie but we were in for a surprise. The movie in a whole was lighthearted and witty but the acting was monotonous at times. If your are looking for a cute/amusing date movie- got right ahead. But if you want a film with erection jokes- try I love you Man.

An easily watchable movie that represents issues even teens find to hard to deal with. Sex drugs violence and of course innapropriate comedy. its jokes are funny but not ott its characters are clever but not fictitious and its plot is in no way predictable or bland brilliant watch.

Nice perspective. Plot has a more realistic feel than most other movies. Very funny.

I wanted to like this movie, but unfortunately it really sucked. Like many other indie movies, Adventureland thinks it can throw together a bunch of quirky characters in an unusual setting and then just sit back and watch the movie magic happen. Too bad filmmaking doesn

Brilliant. A genuinely funny and touching movie that makes me believe in love, despite a recent history of heartbreak. Motolla has created a complete world that left me longing for its poignant imperfection long after leaving the theater.

Very good plot, written very well. Needed better directing.

"The wall around the graveyard says that 'Satin lives in hell'/Though they may love the devil, his disciples sure can't spell," sang Chuck Cleaver, frontman for the Cincinnati-based indie rock band The Ass Ponys on a track called "Shoe Money", back in 1996. The song is referenced in "Adventureland" when James Brennan(Jesse Eisenberg) points out the same spelling mistake left behind by some, presumably metal fans, on a wall. What makes this pro-Satan message Ass Pony-specific is the giant ass pandas that the amusement park patrons can win, theoretically, on a rigged game. It's an anachronism hidden from plain view but made manifest through semiotics, a discipline in English that the comparative literature knows a thing or two about. By aggregating the giant ass pandas and the graffiti, a denotation of synchronicity that encompasses both nostalgia and the immediacy of present time can be shown at work in this Pennsylvania amusement park circa 1987. In effect, "Adventureland" rewrites "Shoe Money" by transforming "graveyard" into a metaphor for the eighties, an era that's been dead for almost twenty years now. Falco has been dead for ten. Unbeknownst to James, the song that grates on him at work, will someday symbolize the loss of his youth, which would put the comparative literature major on the cusp of thirty, when the vehicle Falco was driving collided with a bus in the Dominican Republic circa 1998. "Rock Me Amadeus", despite lacking even a semblance of gravitas, has the same emotional impact as any number of songs that happen to coincide with one's youth. My generation, alas, had Falco and Adam Ant, not the Beatles and the Stones(wait, we had the Stones, too). "...Amadeus, Amadeus," admittedly, is no "...yeah, yeah, yeah," but it's the former sentiment of bacchanalia which will make Leonard yearn for Em(Kristen Stewart) in her prime, regardless if they stayed together or not.… Expand

Unbearably horrible movie. It felt like everyone was doing a Michael Cera impersonation leaving the movie lethargic beyond belief. I didn't laugh once and after an hour I had to leave.

Adventureland is a sweet, funny, nostalgic little movie. It's well acted, perceptive, fun, and witty, Worth seeing.

I'm a bit baffled by the people who complain that the movie 'wasn't funny enough' -- I mean, I get that the advertising for the film was all wrong, but didn't it dawn on you at some point that this wasn't going to BE "Superbad" or "Juno", but something entirely different after the first 10 or 15 minutes in? I'm half-tempted to say it's the 'Graduate' of our time ... maybe not because it's as good (only time will tell if it holds up as "classic") but because of it's maturity and themes. I loved how the film teased you with promises of a European sex romp to help the dorky kid lose his virginity, and then WHAM! the kid gets hit the face with his father's demotion ... right as Iran-Contra kicks in. This is heady stuff, right up to the point the kid gets into an accident, essentially because his father is a closet alcoholic. (Yuk yuk yuk ... oh wait, it's not a comedy ... so let's not judge it as one!)… Expand

The main problem with this movie is the utter self-absorption of its main character. Jess Eisenberg's character does not realize that the other characters who populate this movie also have serious problems. For example, it is obvious that his dad is dealing with alcoholism. However, James chooses to ignore this and instead gets drunk and crashes the family car, and then has the nerve to complain about having to pay for the damages. Also, it really bothered me how he did not seem to consider the serious emotional issues that Kristen Stewart's character had, instead choosing to focus on how her sleeping with Ryan Reynolds' character effected him-- even though he hooked up with Lisa P! I felt no sympathy whatsoever towards the main character, and just wished that he would grow up.… Expand

An absolutely delightful film - I'm sure there are parts of this movie that we all can relate to and remember. A true example of how the best times of our lives are not realized until they are long gone.

Excellent little movie, not a formula crash bang waste of 2 hours. Loved it.

"Adventureland" is much better than you might think it would be, based on the TV commercials and previews (yeah, I still call them previews instead of trailers). Jesse Eisenberg is wonderful, Kristen Stewart is stunning, and both deliver heartfelt performances. Every single performance is letter perfect, from the stars right on down to the bit players. Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader are so funny. I'd like to compliment every member of the cast. This movie is many things all at once. It's funny, occasionally a little raunchy, witty, insightful, and overall just a delight. Recommended!!!… Expand

This movie succeeds where so few do - it's truthful, witty, heartfelt and funny. The humor is subtly dark with a healthy dose of sarcasm, irony and witticisms. The movie plays like a cross between superbad and rocket science - watch it.

A truly entertaining and sweet romance/drama/comedy, significant sad and serious undercurrents lend this movie infinitely more substance than many others of its kind. Also, someone was a huge Lou Reed fan, and the soundtrack kicks-ass (I knew it was not going to be what I expected going when the credit-music is from the album White Light/White Heat!).

BORING. To be fair, this film had a few truly funny moments, but they were few and far between. As a coming of age teen romance flick, there were some very tense and difficult scenes. Unfortunately they were so uncomfortable that I just wanted them to finish and move on to something else. The only redeeming feature of this movie is getting to look at Kristin Steward for 90 minutes. She�39;s definitely beautiful. But unfortunately that doesn't justify this otherwise sleepy film.… Expand

Adventureland nails 1987 and the movie's driven by fantastic character actors and a honestly conceived script. Just the concept of the main characters running around with "Games Games Games..." printed on their chests is tremendously funny without being prententious. Adventureland is funny, grounded and deserving of a helluva more box office than it's got in the first two weeks.

I can't believe I've yet to see a comparison to Dazed and Confused! Ryan Reynolds character is clearly the same kind of guy Matthew McConaghey's character; I'm now waiting for the equivalent movie set in late 90's now that we've seen the teen grad downer comedy based in 1976 and the colllege grad downer comedy based in 1987.

I cannot believe that no one is going to see this exceptional and touching movie. This movie is not a "teen sex comedy," but a very moving coming of age story that can be enjoyed by everyone. The use of indie music from the 80's was great - the director had me from the first bars of "Bastards of Young."

I really adored this movie. The combination of a very witty, intelligent, and well-written script and excellent casting made this one of the best romantic comedies I've seen a good while. It's not full of gross-out humor (which I am not averse to, but was ready to take a break from), but is instead funny and touching because of its relatability and earnestness. I highly recommend it (along with its awesome Velvet Underground/Lou Reed soundtrack).… Expand

Not since "Dazed and Confused" have I felt that a film has captured it's youthful subjects in such a complex and nuanced way. Don't go to this movie if you are looking to bust a gut. (although at least one scene nearly busted one for me.) Great performances all around. Beautiful Kristen Stewart shows that she can cover some emotional range not evident in her big vampire movie. Bill Hader wields a mean baseball bat in one of the funniest scenes I've seen in a while. Ryan Reynolds took a smaller role and played it to great effect. I loved that this movie didn't trade on any of the easy teen movie conventions (ala Cameron Crowe) or devolve into a stoner Aptow grossout yuk fest. Pitch perfect entertainment.… Expand

Very realistic. I was expecting slpasick, vular jokes, but what I got is a tale from the heart. The plot comes from everyday life, which effects us all.This was no kiddy movie, and I know why it is rated R. Even with that, congrats to all the cast, although I hated to see Stewart with her position in the movie!

Best movie about growing up I've seen in several years.

Set in 1987, this story about a young man's return, after graduation, from that bastion of liberalism, Oberlin College, to his hometown of Pittsburgh is a surprisingly wonderful movie. I was expecting a movie more along the lines of "Superbad", and while it had touches of crass male adolescence -- it was much more integrated into the storyline. It reminded me of "The Graduate" for the next generation.… Expand

Disappointed. Pretty much the whole movie is nothing new, enjoyable enough, what I was expecting and then they throw in a happy ending??? Not just a happy ending, but a completely unbelievable hollywood style happy ending.

I think I laughed 2 or 3 times total. Ryan Reynolds is the only character thats at all decent to watch in this movie, and the main character you just want to punch in the face who has the same stupid, skinny geek look to him and always manage to be a chick magnet... i hope this kind of characer is never in another movie, its been abused to its death, enough of it. Its the only character Michael Cera plays in everything hes ever been in. Acting was below average, story line meh. Nothing told me that this was at all enjoyable of a movie. Taken way too seriously, even tho its a comedy. I didnt like it much at all.… Expand

Great film funny and more to it than i was expecting even though the trailer gave away most of the funny parts.

Adventureland was a great film with some funny bits. HOWEVER, it is more of a drama than anything. the acting was spot on, though, and its odd how many times they smoke weed in this film (the kid has a lot, apparently, and shares it). again, its a great film, but it was advertised wrong, making for a "what the hell?" experience when i went with my friend, looking for a rude comedy.

This is one of those great little sleeper films that is charming, smart, and laugh out loud funny without trying to be a comedy. Got the same kind of vibe as Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared had (with writer/director from Undeclared). Beautifully cast, great eighties soundtrack (not in a Wedding Singer kind of way), a feelgood film in the best way.

Best film I've seen this year, and possibly in the last few years. Captures the relationship between the two leads beautifully. Charming, funny, quirky and authentic.

Emotionally resonant, sweet without being saccharine. Genuinely funny and very entertaining. What more could you want.

Don't be thrown off by the title.Adventureland is clearly one of the better films to see in 2009. Motolla did an excellent job of capturing the essence of Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart awkward ,ntense , and self-complicated romance, but what separates this film, is its charm and character. Adventureland prides itself on being and indie film and runs with it.Clearly rough, and not as polished as Hollywood's romantic comedy's. I appreciated the crudeness that makes it so authentic. Composed 80% drama and 20% humor, it never felt heavy .I do proclaim this a "dramedy" for the nostalgic. Casting was in fact nothing short of brilliant with a dead on cast chiming in on moments of innocent and sophomoric humor . While Kennywood and the Iconic 6th street bridges served as Pittsburgh's unmistakable backdrop . Adventureland's great sound scape of the of 80's music allows slick mix tapes and records to provide the extension to connect with the audience with every transition.I haven't been moved by a soundtrack this good since "Rushmore", and I haven't been this connected or excited about a movie. In fact I may watch this one again. I was 7 years old in 1987. I'm 29 now and I "got " this movie. This is One not to be missed.… Expand

The movie thrives on its nostalgia in parts where it is supposed to, and never wanders away from its core.The Director has really captured the essence of the fact that how over qualified employees have to work for less paid job in this movie. and K Stew rocks all the way in this movie and if in case u are K Stew fan then this movie is a real treat for you.

Wonderfully directed. The characters develop so well and it is sensitively written with a believable story. It balances comedy and drama beautifully. It does have a few slow patches but overall it's a fine film.

Holy overrated much? This film was a supreme disappointment. It felt like it wanted to be something it wasn't, and that something has already been done to death. Think Dazed and Confused for the 80s, but entirely unfunny and without any interesting characters...or perhaps an early Kevin Smith film...if those films weren't great. I agree with Tyler H as well. Can we please find a passive aggressive, cute pushover dude furnace and kindly insert Jesse Eisenberg, Micheal Cera, Jason Biggs (wait did we already throw him?) and maybe even Jason Bateman? There's nothing remotely engaging about this character type! Romantic leads can still show personality and cleverness or even be an asshole at times! Give me Ferris Beuller or give me death! I miss you John Hughes!… Expand

I was excited to see this film and liked the quirky, odd, funny Superbad. But this movie is dull and isn't too creative. Basic normal teen angst stuff from the 80's. Typical and mundane. Not many funny scenes and Eisenberg is annoying trying to be Cera, though he is not. Stewart's performance wasn't bad at least and had some true moments. Overall poor development of characters, to the point where nothing is heartfelt and you end up not caring for any of them. Huge disappointment. And an obvious way for the director to relive his favorite tunes from the era. Next time make yourself a mix tape and spare us this unentertaining borefest.… Expand

This movie was hilarious and i have to wonder why didn't this movie do good in the Box office?

Regardless of when you "came of age," this note-perfect film will leave you misty-eyed for when the spirit-draining weight of adulthood took hold. Plus, hurrah for the JAMC b-side and rest of the soundtrack.

Pretty good. Captured the essence of the 80s quite well. Believable acting and it's nice to see that Kristen Stewart can act!

I expected something funny (hence the low rating). This felt like a typical summer for most normal middle class kids. It was TOO realistic. I felt like I was watching someone's home video/diary of their summer after undergrad. It had some funny scenes and awkward moments, but in the end, I didn't really care what happened. I'm not sure who the audience was, but I guess I wasn't it. I gave it a 5 because if you grew up in the 80s and your parent's didn't have a camcorder, this is the perfect movie.… Expand

A surprisingly touching, but still very funny comedy.

This movie was nothing like what it was advertised to be. It was slow and boring. I thought it was supposed to be a comedy, but there was but two funny scenes, and they were lacking. The characters were way undeveloped, the plot was predictable from page one, and the whole thing was completely pointless. Avoid this low-budget artsy wanna-be piece and just go watch juno or something.

Predictability torches you like a thousand suns spewed forth from the drippy face of some stuttering douche bag.

Pretty good movie that held me engaged for all but the last 10 minutes. The writer pussed out, pretty much ruining the entire high from the previous hour and a half, by not making a stand at the end. If the ending had approximated something along the lines of Em not accepting Eisenberg's characters' showing up in NYC at the end, and forcing blunt reality, this film would've scored a 9 with me.… Expand

Although the humour is subtle, the script, as well as the actors, are solid. I loved the ending (which I think is what most people hated about this film) because it ends just where it should.

This movie was boring and unimaginative. The characters were simple, and instead of a plot, the audience was provided with the awkward self-loathing middle class teenager which has apparently become the norm.

8 / 10 (unadjusted score 7/10). I always have to adjust my score on this website to counter the people who post a 0/10. A zero represents the ABSOLUTE worst movie you could possibly see. People who contribute a zero are doing just that, providing a misdeed for score calculation. Anyways, I was under the impression that this movie was more or less a comedy, but it was more of an emotional drama. Don't get me wrong, there are a few funny moments, but the emphasis is on a deeper seeded emotional roller coaster (extra points for a bad pun here).… Expand

Funniest parts are in the trailer. You think you're getting a comedy in the Superbad vein, but what you'll get is a teenage angsty boring snoozer.

0/10 (unadjusted 4/10), Damion, in order to counter the people who decided that this film is not deeply predictable, formulaic or lacking in laughs - which it is, making it cringe-worthy, frustrating and dull all at once. Entirely 'meh'.

Emo teenagers who are somehow in the 80's, and college grads. It's like donnie darko, but without monsters, or funny jokes.

Pitch-perfect and wonderful to watch. Perfectly evoked both young adulthood and the 1980s with great skill. Also featuring the magnificent Martin Starr (Bill of Freaks and Geeks fame) in a wonderfully understated supporting role.

Kristen Stewart's complex and memorable "Em" steals the show.

The opening five minutes of the film didn't fill me with expectation. But once you get into it I was made to laugh and genuinely cared about the characters. For once a film of this kind that addressed a slightly deeper issue than getting the girl.

One of the most underrated movies I've ever seen. I absolutely love it. Instead of being another Superbad, it's a funny, well-acted, well written, and well directed coming of age comedy.

Kristen Stewart is a horrible actress. She licks her lips or sticks her tongue out before she delivers almost every line. This movie was also boring as hell. There was nothing likable about this movie or any o characters in this film. Everybody is just a jerk or a waste of space. It makes me sad that Jesse Eisenberg an Ryan Reynolds were in this movie, they can do so much better. Don't waste your time.… Expand

i liked this movie. it was okay. jesse eisenberg gives a nerdy impression again but his acting is still good. Ryan Reynolds gives a good performance. and Kristen Stewart will get better in time.

if you think this movie is a laugh out loud COMEDY! it isn't. its a compilation of many genres. Its an 80's movie, mixed with a bit of comedy, but it is heavily romance and drama. if you wanna see this movie because it might be like" superbad", well then you better not watch it because there not really relate-able. i enjoyed the movie. its a nice, indie movie with a likeable cast... if you give it a chance you might enjoy it. ((quick description)):its about a guy whose parents were rich and then they turned middle class. so now he has to look for a job to pay for college. he can't find a job anywhere so he settles for a job in a fair called "adventureland". where he meets new co-workers/ friends. they do pot, listen to rock/80's music. and theres some relationship issues. 7/10 could of been a classic.… Expand

Why is it that so many movies feel they NEED to say something profound or exciting in order to stay fresh or leave an impact? Why can't they just sit down, and learn what a situation can be like.

To consider this another teen/coming-of-age comedy would be classified as a bullshti statement. A certain, almost unique feel of nostalgia arises once you watch this. The acting - more than credible, brilliant. The writing and directing - more or less familiar. But in the sense and atmosphere where it's beyond accepted. The soundtrack - just great. Not another film in recent history has moved, entertained and created an amiable feeling than Adventureland. **** awesome doesn't begin or even begin to think of it. A close, if not actual masterpiece.… Expand

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Me seems a film having simplicity humor, romance teenager and some reality than were those years 80. She looked mean "silent" to the movie, but still worth looking at. Very good to see an afternoon.… Expand

I expected this to be a much better movie, but it seems very gloomy and only had a few very funny moments. The characters also seemed very drained, and they made the movie very difficult to sit through till the end.

This movie was so boring I watched it over the course of three nights and fell asleep on two of the three. When a director wants to inflict boredom to the point of pain on his audience, he calls Jesse Eisenberg. I'm quite sure I actually fell asleep twice due to the fact that my brain needed MORE stimulation. Eisenberg isn't good looking, isn't a good actor, isn't interesting so once again it evidently seems to come down to the perks of being jewish in Hollywood. If you choose to watch this movie my best advice is to brew a couple of liters of coffee for each person watching the movie.… Expand

This im watch kristen 2 nd movie,,
Im shock she act like a bad girl in this movie..

But the acting from stewart was good..
And i love story from this movie..

Is like from zero to hero..
Good movie..

This film to put it in two words is 'stupid **** I mean you think if it has Jesse Eisenberg and Ryan Reynolds and is directed by the guy who made 'Super Bad' you'll get a funny comedy. Oh you couldn't be more wrong i started watching this with my brothers and we were like this should be good. An hour through we hadn't laughed once, not even once it felt like we were watching an endless film with **** jokes no humour, boring scenes, stupid romance and no imagination, all its about is just some guy called James (Jesse Eisenberg)
who goes and work at a theme park and falls in love. Thats it.

0/10 - Hated it.… Expand

When I saw that Kristen Stewart was in this film my heart sank, but her normal moody attitude which I find annoying to the extreme complements this film very well. A drama and a comedy but aimed towards someone slightly younger than the norm for this genre, Adverntureland gets everything right. It illustrates the hardships suffered by Eisenberg's character but also his optimism and determination. This is in some ways a feel-good film but in others a feel-bad film. Either way, it is still a great film and deserves all the accolades it receives.… Expand

As a 22 year old heterosexual male I feel like a b*tch for saying this, but I really like movies about teen romance. That is, when they are well crafted and realistic. Adventureland is both of those things. I don't know what it is but this youthful, hopeful, adventurous, down to earth, everyday life lined with a grimy edge of raunchiness kind of film gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I would never say something like this to my friends because they would call me a fa*got then beat me to a pulp using pillowcases filled with bars of soap. But what I would say to them is that I find Kristen Stewart to be sexy in a low-down, trash-gutter, dirty little scum bag weasel kind of way. Anyway...eight stars.… Expand

Adventureland could've been a miserably bad raunch fest with a screenplay just taking us from one gag to the next. Instead, it's a good movie.

Eh, it was a cute indie movie that had funny side characters. It was almost about a lot more then teenaged love and then i became soap opera quality toward the end. This is nobody's best movie.

From the Director who brought us Paul and Superbad, comes Adventureland, which unfortunately is just another predictable, run of the mill comedy. Jesse Eisenberg stars as a kid whose forced to get a summer job at a local amusement park with a wacky cast of characters. Of course the only other normal one working there, just happens to be the girl that he falls for. Bill Hader plays the boss and he should be writing and starring in films like this instead of playing secondary characters. Hader is one of the funniest and most underrated comedians in Hollywood and I can honestly say that he is the only reason to watch this movie, because the rest of the cast is just dull and uninspired. Eisenberg gives another flat and emotionless performance, while co-star Kristen Stewart plays along as if she were still one of the undead. I generally like most of the cast and I thought the story was decent, but overall Adventureland is just another predictable lame duck comedy. It will give you a few laughs, but don't expect too much more.… Expand