Adventureland - A Movie Review

I wonder what’s going to happen in Adventureland today.

Adventureland is a 2009 film. Taking place in 1987, James graduates from college. Unable to go to university or land the dream job that he wants, he takes a low-paid job in a rundown amusement park. However, working here prepares him for the real world.

Adventureland is about the complexities of adult life. Though it is a relatable film, I mixed opinions because the story became repetitive and also somewhat bland. To anyone in their 20s, this is a film to help figure out this strange period of time.

The acting talents of Adventureland caught my attention. I have not seen too many films with Jessie Eisenberg. He studied the behavior and journey of his character very well. Life in our 20s is not easy. We still have so much to learn.

Kristen Stewart is a wonderful actress. I have watched more of her films over the last couple of years. She is terrific at garnering versatile roles. Stewart is a more subtle actress, speaking through her eyes. Eisenberg and Stewart established a good bond. Conversations have so much depth.

This is a role I have never seen Ryan Reynolds in. He was excellent at portraying a distinct personality than what he is usually typecast as. As a conniving man who doesn’t have much respect for women, Reynolds even surprised me with his cold deliveries. Now I want to see him in more roles like this.

I suppose that you can guess when I realized Bill Hader was in Adventureland it was the reason why I wanted to watch it. Hader and Kristin Wigg filmed their scenes in four days due to their busy SNL schedule. I wish they could have been in the film more because they are the best comedic team!

People play a big role in your life, especially in your 20s. You come to realize who you want to be around and what groups to avoid. More credits include Martin Starr, Jack Gilpin, Wendie Malick, Matt Bush, and Margarita Levieva who I saw in an underrated film called The Invisible.

Unable to film in the actual Adventureland theme park, the film was shot in Pittsburg, PA. Did you know that Adventureland was filmed in the wintertime? Filmmakers did a great job removing snow or even covering it up so that it looked like the story took place in the summer. To further extents, extras were paid to stand in front of windows to hide the snow.

Films that are set in an amusement park encase a lot of stories. Amusements parks are fun places where people go to have fun. Why are people going to an amusement park? And why do these people running rides or games work there? Everyone has a story.

Living life in your 20s is a substantial theme in Adventureland. I liked the way Greg Mottola achieved this message. Our 20s are a time to learn and discover what we want to do with our lives. You cannot sit on your dreams and wait. Unfortunately, your dream job may have to wait, but it’s worth the journey to find out your next step.

The film moved at a slow pace becoming repetitive in all the conversations and relationship talk. I started to drift off and lose focus, but it was the actors that sell the film. Still, it was relatable. Adventureland is a personal film that encases hidden themes in its substructure.

Check out Adventureland. It’s not a film for everyone but it will make you laugh.