In 2007, the teen comedy ""Superbad"" became a certifiable phenomenon. One of the most popular high school movies in years, it was quoted ad nauseum and made a cultural icon out of a lovable loser known famously as ""McLovin.""
So how does ""Superbad"" director Greg Mottola follow up such a big hit? Mottola answers with his latest project, ""Adventureland,"" a movie that sticks to the teen comedy genre while steering it in a completely different direction.
At the heart of ""Adventureland"" is a story not terribly different from that of ""Superbad."" James (Jesse Eisenberg doing his best Michael Cera impression) has just graduated from college but doesn't have any idea what to do with his life. After a fruitless employment search, he settles for a summer job at the Adventureland amusement park, where he meets fellow disenchanted slacker Joel (Martin Starr) and is instantly enchanted by his jaded co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart).
Similarities to ""Superbad"" are hard to miss. But ""Adventureland"" tackles unclear situations maturely, making it starkly different from and more refined than Mottola's previous blockbuster.
Like the main characters of ""Superbad,"" James is a virgin and desperately trying to change that, but in this case it is hardly the film's main focus. Instead, Mottola chooses to zero in on the actual relationship that develops between James and Em, instead of reducing it to an epic quest for James to dispatch his v-card.
Even when a love triangle develops among James, Em and the park's resident Casanova Mike Connell (Ryan Reynolds), none of the interactions are cut-and-dry. This stems from Mottola's refusal to neglect any one character, instead taking the time to shape them all. It all brings more depth to the story that ""Superbad"" never even attempted to create.
Along with the fully fleshed-out characters, ""Adventureland"" is easily relatable to anybody who has ever been stuck in a menial, entry-level job. The demonic customers and repetitive tasks make Adventureland seem like a circle of Hell, a familiar feeling for many teenagers working summer jobs.
Of course, depth and relatability are fine, but first and foremost, a comedy needs to humor audiences.
Fortunately, Mottola doesn't neglect to bring on the laughs. Starr in particular gets plenty of opportunity to shine, as almost every line that leaves his mouth is comic gold. The same can be said for Bill Hader, playing the ridiculously mustachioed boss at Adventureland. Hader steals every scene he is in with his obliviousness to the world around him and his rampant enthusiasm for the amusement park business.
Occasionally, the script does get a little too low-brow, resorting to blows to the crotch and vomit jokes, but more often than not it sticks to smarter humor.
When laugh-out-loud moments are paired with great characters, it makes ""Adventureland"" into an incredibly gratifying viewing experience. Not only has Mottola matched his work with ""Superbad,"" he surpassed it by creating a film that works on several more levels—even if it doesn't have McLovin.
Grade: A
