Adventureland' makes for an enjoyable, fairly mature new romantic comedy

     Greg Mottola, director of immensely popular and over-quoted comedy "Superbad" (2007), has done it again. This time, however, Mottola's film, which was inspired by his time working at the Adventureland theme park in Farmingdale, New York, is classier and highly underrated in today's cinematic world. "Adventureland" succeeds as a mix of comedy and romance, with a slight dash of a charming coming-of-age tale.
    The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as James, a recent college graduate, whose post-graduation plans are dashed after his parents admit they can't afford his graduation gift, a trip through Europe. Since he has little work experience, he decides to take a job at a local amusement park where his ‘friend' Frigo (played by Matt Bush) works. There, he meets a crazy group of people including over-enthusiastic bosses Bobby and Paulette, played by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, respectively, pipe-smoking enthusiast and intellectual Joel (Martin Starr), and ride maintenance man/playboy Connell (Ryan Reynolds). The person he is most taken by, however, is Em (Kristen Stewart), a student at NYU who seems disillusioned with existence. The rest of the movie follows James as he struggles through his summer and chases after Em.
    It should be noted that this film is almost nothing like "Superbad." While it is being marketed as the next big thing from Mottola, the content of "Adventureland" is classier, to say the least. The immature humor isn't as prevalent and is mostly found in Frigo's antics throughout the movie. But his multiple nut-shots to James, sexist comments and bodily function jokes seem oddly out of place with the rest of the film. Also, this movie seems to focus more on the romance between the various characters than on comedy; it is better pegged as a romance film about 20-somethings who just happen to work at an amusement park where silly stuff happens. This is a complete departure from the high school, adolescent and hormone-driven comedy of "Superbad."
    Mottola never hits the audience over the head with the retro aspect of the movie. The fact that this takes place in 1987 is only apparent by clothing and music choices, and it could have easily been set during modern time. That said, the soundtrack to the film is amazing. It includes hits from Hüsker Dü and the Cure and was scored by indie band Yo La Tengo. The score has a nice beat to it and a catchy, dark hook. As James begins to realize that he won't be able to go to grad school, the film's music makes his sadness increasingly tangible, urging the audience to root for his success.
    Cinematography and framing also contribute to the ambience of the film; one scene that focuses on a bumper car ride to the tune of "Just Like Heaven" has the camera turned to face the actors, capturing every bump and moment of excitement on their faces.
    The acting in the movie, for the most part, is perfect for what the film wants to be, but whether this is intentional or not is up to the viewer. Eisenberg, however, tries too hard to play the dorky and awkward intellectual that we all know and love. We don't need another Michael Cera, especially since he has that act covered and perfected. It doesn't even look like Eisenberg is trying to deliver his lines with any tact or punch. He seems to try to get them out of the way, and his performance suffers.
    Stewart gives off a similar sense, although this method works well for her character. While she was dreadfully terrible in tween vampire hit "Twilight" (2008), her monotone delivery and coked-out look in this movie fit the situation perfectly. The rest of the cast shines at various moments. Hader and Wiig are funny because of their over-emphasis, and Reynolds makes people laugh because he tries to appear more pretentious and witty than he really is.
     "Adventureland" should be considered a more high-brow comedy with undertones of romance and the typical revelation that future plans change. Those who are expecting to see another movie filled with penis drawings will be sorely disappointed. However, for those who are willing to open their minds and go on a trip down memory lane to a simpler time when summer jobs sucked and love was in the air, Mottola has made the perfect film.