Adventureland – Blu-Ray Review

The Film

Adventureland feels like an ’80s version of Dazed and Confused, but a little more plotted. I wanted to love this film, like I do Dazed and Confused, but it just didn’t grab me. First of all, its mildly funny. Jesse Eisenberg went to the same school as Michael Cera, for awkward virgins.  That mumbling, shy attitude is getting old, although he’s really good here. He’s our main character, and we follow him through his post-Bachelor Degree period, where the whole world feels like its at your fingertips, but in reality, you’re just idealistic, because its not. Unable to have his parents help him with Grad school, since his dad got demoted and has to refocus finances (ah, how like America now), he picks up a monkeys job at Adventureland, a rundown amusement park in Pittsburgh. From here, he meets a group of new friends, girls, and does that good old coming of age thing, these movies like to do.

The cast is fine, especially Kristen Stewart and not because I have a crush on her, but here’s a film that allows her to do her thing, that woe-is-me self-loathing thing she does oh-so well. Matt Bush is hilarious too as that outrageously obnoxious friend that loves punching his buddies in the balls (we all had one). I think the film’s asset is in its subtle nature. I really wouldn’t call this film laugh out loud funny like Greg Mottloa’s Superbad, but it definitely has some good chuckles.  Now, I think the film is better than Superbad, mainly because it handles these characters’ issues in a mature manner. These are real issues they’re having; Em is emotionally segregated and uses sex as comfort food, James is establishing his own way in life, away from his family’s wishes, Mike is a liar towards women because he’s unhappy in marriage, and by the end of the film, some characters change and others do not. I think that’s how life is. Some people change, some don’t, we meet people that are a part of our lives either forever or just a summer. Adventureland works in that regard, even though it really cannot balance the comedy with the drama all that well. It feels unbalanced, but there are enough quirky characters and funny, genuine moments that work for it.

The Blu-ray

Audio/Video

The audio on this disc is amazing.  The killer 80s’ soundtrack sounded great as it blasted through my home theatre system, and the dialogue came in loud and clear.  The video transfer looked terrific as well, the colors were bright and didn’t look washed out like I feared they would.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: All of the tracks on here are worth listening to.  Jesse Eisenberg even comments on the Michael Cera comparisons.

Deleted Scenes: The scenes that were cut from the flick were actually pretty funny and could have worked if left in.  It’s shorter than I’d have liked but worth watching.

Just My Life: The Making of Adventureland: This making of featurette is pretty solid.  It looks at the making of the film from the perspective of it’s director, with the opinions of the actors and producer thrown in for good measure.  I really enjoyed this feature, but again, it could have been longer.

Frigo’s Ball Taps: The ball-buster himself runs around the set demonstrating his best crotch-punches.  This was both funny and pitiful all at the same time, yet still worth checking out.

Lisa P’s Guide to Style: My least favorite feature on this disc, this guide to fashion in 1987 had its moments but overall didn’t keep my interest.

Welcome to Adventureland: These fake promotional videos were fun, the sort of thing that could have worked during the credit roll.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating:

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