Monday, July 5, 2021

Go Home America You're Drunk---America The Motion Picture Review


I love a good parody or a movie that pokes fun at a genre. Scary Movie and Naked Gun are perfect examples of that. But how do you make fun of the founding of a nation? America the motion picture shows you how. This film takes historical events and pop culture, adds Whiskey, cocaine, and Monster Energy Drink, and tries to tell you how the nation was formed. It's like if SNLs drunk uncle tried to explain the fourth of July.  

If you were looking for a historically accurate animated romp about U.S history for your kids, let me be clear THIS IS NOT IT!!! I would suggest Liberty's KIds for everyone else. Let's talk about It.

The cast is pretty stacked. Channing "Magic Mike" Tatum is the lead as an ultra buff George Washington equipped with chainsaws that come out of his wrists.

Then we have Samuel Adams, a beer-chugging frat bro voiced by Jason Mantzoukas, who most of you might know as Jay from Big Mouth. This is pretty funny cause his character here plays out just like his character on there, only more misogynistic and racist with homosexual undertones. 

So far, so good, right? Next on the roster, we have Thomas Edison being played by OG G4 TV now actress Oliva Munn. Yes, Oliva Munn! How does a female Asian play Thomas Edison? You may ask if it's simple. Remember when I said this is not historically accurate. Also, she's more like Tony Stark.

Paul Revere was pivotal in warning the minutemen about the British invasion. But here, he's the weirdo of the bunch who has no human friends. SNL alum Bobby Moynihan voices him. He's great in this role for standing out as the weird one.

With a great supporting cast like Killer Mike as Blacksmith and Will Forte (another SNL Alum) as Abe Lincoln going against Werewolf Benedict Arnold voiced by Andy Sandberg ( Brooklyn Nine Nine and SNL) and Simon Pegg ( Cornetto Trilogy) as King James, this cast was designed to make you laugh.

Despite some of the sophomoric humor and the references niche, The animation is top-notch. I'm having trouble comparing it to anything else I've seen. It does remind me of Archer, and it should. The director Matt Thompson has been an executive producer on that show since season one. It reminds me of Archer in a sense where it is drawn to be taken seriously but as soon as you hear the dialogue. You're not sure if you're watching the right movie. The story for the film was fine, but some of the jokes were hit and miss, which doesn't surprise me because the sole writer for this is Dave Callaham. His name is synonymous with questionable films such as Mortal Kombat and Wonder Woman 84. I'm not saying the flaws in those films belong to him alone, but I can't help but notice a pattern. It makes me cringe on the inside because he's also gonna be writing for Into the spider verse 2 and Shang-chi. 
Take it with a grain of salt.


Is this a smart movie? No, is it a funny movie? Yes, Is it a funny, smart movie? Hello no!! But you have a good time. I think it's a great stoner movie to watch or get drunk with your buds at the 4th of July BBQ. I think putting this movie on Netflix was a smart move because I don't think this would have done well in theaters. The only weakness I see in the movie is the writing. It's Okay, but with this caliber of talent on the roster, It feels like it just came off okay.

America: The Motion Picture final grade: B-        

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