Adventureland

Name: Adventureland
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: April 3, 2009
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 352 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 352 Ratings

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Adventureland

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: April 3, 2009 | R

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart

Summary: It's the summer of 1987, and James Brennan , an uptight recent college grad, can't wait to embark on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents announce they can no longer subsidize his trip, James has little choice but to take a lowly job at a local amusement park. Forget about German beer, world-famous museums and cute French girls --It's the summer of 1987, and James Brennan , an uptight recent college grad, can't wait to embark on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents announce they can no longer subsidize his trip, James has little choice but to take a lowly job at a local amusement park. Forget about German beer, world-famous museums and cute French girls -- James' summer will now be populated by belligerent dads, stuffed pandas, and screaming kids high on cotton candy. Lucky for James, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with his captivating co-worker Em, and learns to loosen up. (Miramax Films)… Expand

Director: Greg Mottola

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Phillips

A sweet, sharp coming-of-age romance, Adventureland is a little warmer, a little funnier and a lot more truthful than the last 20 or 30 of its ilk. Especially its Hollywood ilk. Read full review

Scott Foundas

I've seen Mottola's movie twice, and both times, it has inspired feelings of joy, sadness, and a profound yearning for the unrecoverable past. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The result is a sharp, insightful, charming motion picture. Read full review

Rick Groen

Yes, the delight of this movie lies in these devilish details, and it's clear that writer-director Greg Mottola knows them well. Read full review

Roger Ebert

What surprised me was how much I admired Kristen Stewart, who in "Twilight," was playing below her grade level. Here is an actress ready to do important things. Together, and with the others, they make Adventureland more real and more touching than it may sound. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

A rather ordinary account of youthful summer misadventures that goes down easily thanks to a sparky cast, more than 40 pop tunes that anchor the action in the late '80s and characters who get high both on and off their jobs at a tacky amusement park. Read full review

Wesley Morris

Harmless enough, but "indie comedy" sounds like something better seen at Urban Outfitters than at a movie theater. Read full review

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User Reviews

Justinavery7074

Oct 7, 2011

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 andTo 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

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

JohnR

Apr 3, 2009

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

mikek

May 26, 2009

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

[Anonymous]

Apr 10, 2009

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 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Oct 3, 2009

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Tss5078

Feb 22, 2013

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 onlyFrom 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

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

TomB

Sep 8, 2009

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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62	#62 Best Movie of 2009
44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
97	#97 Most Shared Movie of 2009