Synopsis

From the director of Superbad, comes Adventureland – a funny and authentic look at a bunch of 20-somethings who may have survived college, but may not survive their summer jobs. Set in 1987, the film focuses on James (Jesse Eisenberg), a smart, loveable “nice guy” who is looking for true love and a job that can give him enough money to go to grad school at Columbia. That job happens to be a gig as a “carnie” at the slightly seedy suburban amusement park, Adventureland.

At its core, Adventureland is a simple story of first love. But it’s the unusual setting that brings about the comedy (mainly in the form of park owners Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig). Writer/director Greg Mottola really worked at a suburban amusement park called Adventureland his first summer out of college – and the authenticity to that world shows.
The film also boasts an absolutely killer and essential 80s soundtrack.

Perhaps its one drawback is that some of the similarities to Superbad are a bit eerie. For example, Jesse Eisenberg not only plays a character very similar to that of Michael Cera’s (in Superbad…and about 3 other films), but he actually looks a lot like him too. It’s hard not to root for the nerdy “good guy” – but it would have been nice to change up that character just a tad.

All in all though, the film is as fun as a good old-fashioned teenaged day in the amusement park and a sweet look at the rollercoaster emotions that come with first love.

Upsides:
- a sweet and nostalgic comedy with an unusual setting that’s rife for comedy.

Downsides:
- the lead character is a little too similar to the one in the director’s other big hit: Superbad – and makes us wonder if Michael Cera was already booked.