"Wanted" is What U Want & What it Purports to Be-Nothing More. No Spoilers
Written: Jul 26 '08 (Updated Sep 04 '08)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Action-packed, Feel-good. Great, believable cast. Angelina Jolie. Quick adrenaline fix,lift.
Cons: Must suspend belief for some parts, but great ride!
The Bottom Line: If you liked the trailer and the genre, you'll enjoy it, & more so if you suspend belief, at times.
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| kengland4's Full Review: Wanted |
-------------This Review Reveals Minor Plot Details--Maybe a Smidgen more than the Trailer---------
This movie is not pretentious--if you liked the trailer (and kept a light-hearted attitude about it), you will immensely enjoy the film. It's not sophisticated, or very serpentine, but it is action-packed, adventurous, funny, and just plain fun. The stunts and special effects are well-done, and it is told first-person narrative style, from the main character's perspective, after the following scene (skip the following paragraph if you want it to be completely unspoiled).
The film opens from the perspective of an assassin who becomes the "assassinee"--the main character's father is spectacularly murdered, after apparently spectacularly evading his own demise, and taking out the seeming assassins. This is all to be expected, though, from the trailers, so we now take you to the "next episode..."
James McAvoy portrays Wesley Gibson, an average Joe, burned-out "account representative" whose dad walked out on him when he was 6 days old, caught in a routine world devoid of much pleasure. His verbally abusive boss (Lorna Scott) rides him as if he was there merely for her punitive pleasure, and his one seeming joy, a perky blonde girlfriend (Kristen Hager), continually complains about everything, and is having an affair with his best friend. He knows this, but chooses to remain in his little cubicle of a life, and hope everything doesn't implode. Oh, and did I mention he suffers panic attacks?
Just when it seems that things couldn't get any worse, he is approached by a, well, uh, "woman" (it's Jolie, in "full effect," what can I say?) in a liquor store--who gives him an incredulous story. "Your father died yesterday, and he was one of the greatest assassins who ever lived; the man who killed him is right behind you..!" And proceeds to enter an intense gun battle in the store, which morphs into a supercar/delivery van chase outside, with McAvoy being protected. He's taken to the compound of the "Fraternity"- an ancient secret society of assassins that has been used to create "balance" in history-where he is told that his father was a Fraternity member, is shown his personal quarters and effects, and is told that he is destined to take his place and kill his father's murderer (who's been picking them off, one-by-one). Of course, Wesley is completely stunned and in disbelief. He tries to resume his life, catches his girlfriend on the cheat, and decides to find out more about the Fraternity.
The balance of the film involves some intense training, Wesley taking an occasional peek into his former life (where he, predictably, catches his pal in bed with his gal), and an all-out hunt for his dad's assassin, "Cross" (portrayed by Thomas Kretschman, of King Kong note).
There is MUCH MORE to the story, though, but I will not be spoiling it for you. With a cast including Freeman, and the stoic Kretschmann, there is some quality acting. McAvoy comes across clearly as the most crapped-on sorriest S.O.B. in history, who embarks on an adventure, learns the truth of his identity, and finally has some "fun." Jolie is in "full effect," of course, but McAvoy keeps up. Rapper Common, as well as the other Fraternity members, are a solid supporting cast who convincingly portray raw, crustily realistic individuals, possessed of skills, powers, and knowledge not thought "possible." This is a feel-good, action-packed, adrenaline-pumping film for which you will suspend disbelief, as long as you aren't overly-critical, or expecting much. So lean back, relax, and enjoy the ride! I enjoyed it at least as much as Dark Knight (reviewed at http://www.epinions.com/content_438696316548), And I will be picking up the DVD..!
For some interesting travel pics and related activities, check out my profile, HERE.
Here are a few of my other movie reviews--
The Joker is "One Sick Puppy!!!"The Dark Knight
This Movie is PERFECT for Our Times!(Iron Man)
Black Snake Moan---VERY PROVOCATIVE!
Quite a Thrill Ride, Even for Non-fans! (Transformers)
Shrek is BAAAACK!!! (Shrek the 3rd)
Part-Comedy, and Part Thriller (Hot Fuzz)
Really Fires the Imagination-National Treasure 2
The Bourne "Realization"-- WHAT A RIDE!!!
The Core--A Witty and Inventive End-of-the-World Adventure!
Did You Know that P.S. Also Means Post-Supernatural?
Jet Li is the Dragon Emperor in latest Mummy Installment
Would You Be Afraid of A Bully Named "Cloverfield?" (Horror)
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Action Movie
Viewing Method: Studio Screening/Premiere
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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Epinions.com ID:
kengland4
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Member: Kevin England
Location: Signal Hill, CA USA
Reviews written: 98
Trusted by: 40 members
About Me:
HAPPY B'DAY TO ME!BLACK FRIDAY!In lieu of a gift, read & rate a review--comments!
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