Wanted is superhuman assassin gun porn, and like every other film released this year (well, almost) is based on a comic. If you took The Matrix, removed the social commentary and “I’m very serious” aesthetic, and replaced it with brutal violence, buckets of wonderful spatter, and Angelina Jolies arse, then you pretty much have Wanted.
Wanted knows what it is: a film for young men to get excited at. It’s funny, looks good, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It doesn’t really challenge the audience, but it’s an action film – did I mention of has a shot of Jolies’ naked arse?
James McAvoy plays the lead role of Wesley well, although his talent as an actor is a little wasted on this occasion. Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie are basically themselves (as they are in almost every film they participate in), and the rest of the cast are filler. Timur Bekmambetov directs and brings much of the visual style he fleshed out with the films Nightwatch and Daywatch to the screen. Unfortunately the script is a little light and apart from the protagonists’ montage to hero (christ I’m so over this convention) there’s little in the way of character development. If Timur had been involved with the screenwriting I imagine Wanted could have been so much more, but as it stands it’s a just a good example of modern popcorn action.
If you can accept the premise of a fraternity of super-powered assassins receiving direction from a magic loom (I shit you not), then by all means watch and enjoy this film. Take it for what it is, ignore the suspect looking CG rats, and bring your mates. Good times.
3.5 stars.
