Movie Breakdown: America: The Motion Picture

Pre-Screening Stance:

There’s a ton of talent behind America: The Motion Picture. It’s produced by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and others, directed by Matt Thompson (Archer, Frisky Dingo, Sealab 2021), written by Dave Callaham (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2, Wonder Woman 1984, etc.) and features voice work from Channing Tatum, Jason Mantzoukas, Olivia Munn, Judy Greer, Killer Mike and others. Wowzers.

Post-Screening Ramble:

America: The Motion Picture is very much a love it or hate it kind of effort. The film, which is revisionist history to the max, is centered around George Washington (Channing Tatum), who becomes inspired to lead the American Revolution after his best friend, Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte), is killed by the skin-walker Benedict Arnold (Andy Samberg). Naturally, he can’t do it alone, so he assembles a crack team of sorta-heroes, including super bro Sam Adams (Jason Mantzoukas), super scientist Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn), super horse racer Paul Revere (Bobby Moynihan), and the super moody Geronimo (Raoul Max Trujillo).

In a lot of ways, the movie reminded me of South Park – much of the humor is very immature and silly but also sharp, and the plot is loud and absolutely insane at every turn but there’s a theme and message being towed that frequently gets thrown in your face. I don’t think it’s near as cleverly written or tightly structured as an episode of South Park tends (or used?) to be, which is why the movie will undoubtedly test the patience of some, but for those that can enjoy it for what it is – an entirely, thoroughly bonkers but occasionally poignant take on an important piece of US history – then it’s worth a watch this 4th of July weekend.

The animated movie is hitting Netflix today, June 30.

One Last Thought:

It’s amusing to me that Jason Mantzoukas parlayed his status as the crazy loud mouth on How Did This Get Made? into being a crazy loud mouth in movies that all deserve to be discussed/mocked on said podcast.