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Wanted (2008) - Movie

Wanted
Release Date: 26th June 2008
Language: English
Running Time: 113 mins
 
Rating: 18SG
Genre: Crime / Drama / Action
Starring: Neil LaBute, Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy, Kristen Hager, Thomas Kretschmann
[full cast]
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov, Andy Richter, Shari Springer Berman
Local Distributor: United International Pictures
 
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Movie Plot

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Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) finds out that his long lost father is an assassin. When his father is murdered, Wesley is recruited into his father's organisation and trained by a man named Sloan (Morgan Freeman) to follow in his dad's footsteps. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

User's Review and Ratings

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WANTED not what i wanted

What I loved most: Angelina Jolie

What I really hated: Poor storyline

I had expected more for this movie. The opening sequences were pretty impressive but after that, the movie went downhill. The only thing that i can remember after i step out of the cinema is the sight of Angelina Jolie's naked backview. Brad Pitt is such a lucky guy to have got himself a woman the figure and lips of Jolie! Back to the movie, Morgan Freeman was a diasppointment as he did not fully exploit his role. And really, I prefer 'Shoot 'Em Up' which was shown quite recently and with a similar genre as 'Wanted'. If not for Angelina Jolie, i would have given this movie a 1or2 star instead of 3.

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CO's Review

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Time for another comic book adaptation! Instead of a superhero with god-like powers, how about an uber-geek loser who morphs into a bloodthirsty killer?

I know what you're thinking: bo-ring! However, "Wanted" is anything but. Though similar storylines have played out many times before, the film takes it to a whole new level of intensity (not to mention unorthodoxy) with an eccentric choice in cast, exceptional special effects and gorgeous photography. The result is a pure rush of adrenaline, with twists and turns in the plot that you would have never seen coming your way.

Think "The Matrix" meets "Kill Bill"; but instead of your usual blond and bronzed Hollywood hunk playing the lead, we have Scottish lad James McAvoy, who is far from a six-footer with his extremely average height of 5'7", combined with mousy hair and pale skin. He seems like such a far cry from what an action hero would be; yet he is wonderfully ideal for the role of Wesley Gibson.

We first meet Wesley as a downtrodden, pathetic shell of a man, stuck in a dead-end job with a hateful boss. His girlfriend is cheating on him with his so-called best friend. Need I say more? McAvoy carries the role perfectly, and you can feel your own heartbeats going into overdrive when he has one of his 'panic attacks'. A pitiful character, you can really empathise with his troubles. When he breaks free of his hum-drum life and dives into the fast and furious training sessions to hone his skills as an assassin, it is exhilarating and there is never a dull moment right up to the end.

Angeline Jolie as his "too-cool-for-school" mentor Fox is delightful, but you can tell she's an old pro at it. Not exactly a challenging role for Jolie who has performed similarly in "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" and "Tomb Raider". However, her onscreen chemistry with McAvoy is sizzling, yet you can tell she knows she is way out of his league. So while Wesley gets to work side by side with this wild Fox, he can never truly tame her. The sexual tension is enough to set the screen alight, not to mention the hearty competition the two assassins indulge in with each other which makes for heart-stopping action sequences.

On the downside, Morgan Freeman is severely under-utilised in the film, perhaps owing to the character he plays: Sloan, who used to be the assassin partner of Welsey's dead father. In fact, it was easy to see that Freeman is actually too good to play such a simple, underdeveloped character, like a mountain trying to play a molehill. However, he still makes the character interesting and skilfully delivers a poignant line in the film reminiscent to Samuel L. Jackson's famous monologue in "Pulp Fiction", which was a wonderful surprise.

The overall message that "Wanted" is trying to send is that we have to take charge and take chances to do what we really want in life, rather than wasting it away on a miserable existence. While it is at risk of being condescending and preachy, it injects a lot of humour and sass into it, so you'll feel more amped up about taking the plunge and getting that diving instructor's license, or whatever it is you've always wanted to do but "had no time to do it". After watching this movie, you'll realise the reasons you're not doing what you really want are all lame excuses you've concocted because you're afraid, and that your own worst enemy is truly yourself. Well, that's what this writer felt anyway.

All in all, "Wanted" is so action-packed and thrilling that you'll be glued to your seats the entire time. Be prepared for a feeling of "Carpe Diem!" when you walk out of the cinema. You might not want to sign up as a ruthless killer, but hey, if you've always wanted to try skydiving, what are you waiting for? Just DO it!

Production Photos - Click thumbnail for larger photos

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Wanted Production PhotoWanted Production Photo
Thomas Kretschmann
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Angelina Jolie
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