Based upon Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series and
helmed by stunning visualist Timur Berkmambetov, creator of the most successful
Russian film franchise in history, the “Night Watch Series,” and “Day Watch,”
“Wanted” tells the tale of one apathetic nobody’s transformation into an
unparalleled enforcer of justice.
More exactly, it is the story of a young man named Wesley
Gibson, (James McAvoy), 25, whose life is nothing out of the ordinary. His boss
terrorizes him, his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend, and he
is nearly killed while refilling a prescription at the store.
But all is about to change soon after the assassination of
his father, when he learns he was the leader of a mysterious
organization of assassins whose only goal was to keep this world safe. Here is
the moment when he meets Fox, portrayed by super sexy Angelina Jolie, who tells
him she knew his father, “one of the greatest assassins who ever lived.” Fox
takes Wesley to meet Sloan (Morgan Freeman), leader of a centuries-old order of
killers called The Fraternity.
Trained by Sloan and his team, including
Fox, Wesley will try to fill his father’s shoes. Wesley is the only one who can
avenge his father’s death if he survives Fox’s brutal training regimen.
He enters a new life and must deal with the most dangerous
and evil people in the world. He becomes the right hand of the super scientist
Professor Seltzer, who is a member of the leading council of the Fraternity.
All in all, the story of the movie appears to have nothing
spectacular. Since kids, we’ve liked stories about “no ones” becoming heroes
over night, (“over night” is too much said, as this “no one” has to pass
through some tests in order to gain experience and initiate himself) changing
the world into a better one. I guess this is the whole point of the movie, a
movie that invites us to be kids again and to wonder if this is one of the
stories that were read to us in early childhood.
The familiarity of the story doesn't help Bekmambetov’s cause.
When it's not stealing from "The Matrix,'' "Wanted'' takes a page
from "Star Wars,'' none of which would be bothersome if it weren't so
obvious.
If the story doesn’t impress very much, the movie wins big
when it comes to the actors involved in this scenario. In fact, what
Bekmambetov is trying to do is to sell the nonsense with the help of an A-list
cast.
James McAvoy is known for his breakthrough roles in a pair
of award-winning dramas – “The Last King of Scotland” and “Atonement.” McAvoy himself admitted to have spoken to his inner boy when playing the role in
“Wanted.”
“I got to satisfy the 16-year-old boy’s yearning to break
things and jump up and down and beat people up,” he told
Reuters in an interview.
Of course, everyone knows Jolie from “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
and “Tomb Raider,” so it is not hard to imagine she plays the tough one in this
movie as well. And this kind of roles fits her perfectly. Jolie is in her
elements: cars, guns, tattoos, action. In fact, her talents are best showcased
when she’s simply required to smolder. And let’s not forget her sex-appeal,
that adds magnetism to the movie whenever she is on the screen, which, lets’
say it, happens rarely.
Maybe her next role in “Changeling,” a more serious mystery film
directed by Clint Eastwood, will impress us more.
The cast of “Wanted” continues to grow more impressive with
the addition of the great Morgan Freeman. His role is very similar to that of
Liam Neeson in “Batman Begins.” Freeman was last seen as The Boss in “Lucky
Number Seven.” The actor has a whole slew of new films coming our way including
“Evan Almighty.”
What’s left to say? If you’re looking for memorable dialogue
and gripping drama then you better forget about this movie and stay in line for
another appearance of these actors. If you’re craving for special effects and
high-wire acts then “Wanted” should meet your expectations.
Wanted: Opens on June
27 nationwide
Based on a story by Mr. Brandt and Mr. Haas and the comic
books by Mark Millar and JG Jones
Rated: R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive
language and some sexuality, big honking guns wielded as compensatory devices
Cast: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence
Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann.
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Written by: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas and Chris Morgan
Edited by: David Brenner
Music by: Danny Elfman
Produced by: Marc Platt, Jim Lemley, Jason Netter and Iain
Smith
Released by: Universal Pictures
Running time: 110 minutes