I was in exactly the same position as you 16 years ago!
I was 15 and keen to learn but decided to wait until about half way through my 16th year. I then started and by the time I was 17 I was ready to go solo and completed my licence within 4 weeks of being seventeen.
Personally, I can't advocate intensive courses in the States but that's just my opinion. If you intened to take up flying as a career it's not so bad but if it is a "hobby" then I strongly recommend you stay in the UK and learn in the environment you will need to know about.
Good luck anyway and remember not to get too dispondant on those days when nothing seems to go right when you are learning!! We all had days like that during our syllabus!