Cast: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Kretschmann
Dir: Timur Bekmambetov
Rating: 4/5
Based upon Mark Millar's series of popular graphic novels Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history in form of Daywatch and Nightwatch, makes his English speaking movie debut with action thriller Wanted.
And he doesn't do things by halves as he brings together an impressive of cast of Oscar winners Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman and man of the moment James McAvoy, who really make his Hollywood breakthrough with this picture.
Wesley Gibson. 25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known his boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably.
Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie).
After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad’s death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself.
With wickedly brilliant tutors including the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman) Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.
This is as good a big budget blockbuster as you will see all year, holding it's own well against the might of the superhero movie this summer at the box office, and, for many it's a great introduction to Bekmambetov who's previous work wasn't exactly mainstream.
Yes alright you may have to suspend a little bit of belief when you sit down to watch Wanted, but isn't that what watching movies is all about? As Bekmambetov creates a fast paced and thrilling piece of escapism.
Despite it's impressive cast, and I will come back to them in a minute, it's the action sequences that will really blow you away the car chase at the beginning of the film lets you know what kind of ride you are in for. And though some may say that it's ridiculous and unrealistic I say leave common sense at the door and enjoy the ride.
No other actress but Angelina Jolie could have taken on the role of Fox she really does kick some serious ass and looks super hot doing it, and it's good to see her back in an all action blockbuster role.
Morgan Freeman gets his second big blockbuster of the year as the mysterious Sloan, who isn't all he cracks up to be. But the real star of the movie has to be James McAvoy.
And yes I appreciate that he isn't your first choice when you think action hero but with his bulked up frame McAvoy adds another string to his bow showing that he works well in any genre of movie. Without a doubt there is a great career in store for the young Scot and he seems to have taken Hollywood by the storm.
If you want mystery and lies, gunfights, backstabbing, amazing visual effects and the car chase of 2008 then Wanted really is the film for you as it delivers on all points through in a very talented cast and director, Bekmambetov really has put his own stamp on the action genre and a good night in will be had by all.
Wanted is out on DVD now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw