Review of "Wanted"

“Wanted” directed by Timur Bekmambetov is “The Matrix” meets “Shoot Em Up” meets “Smokin’ Aces” - to put it in a nutshell. And judging by the sold out showings at the theater I went to, which is the theater I go to when I think the other theaters will be sold out – people really want to see this movie. But will people like it when they see it? Probably. Will it win any awards? Nope. Not unless they come out with a “Funniest Morgan Freeman Moment”, or “Angelina Can’t Possibly Be More Badass” or “Best American Accent by a Sexy Brit” award. So if a movie winning those awards sounds enticing, read on.

Pros:
- James McAvoy’s character – he’s real and relatable, even after becoming badass. He cries while getting beat up during his initiation, finally tells off his boss, smiles like a geek when he’s kissed by the hot chick, you know, normal stuff we would all do.

- SICK stunts! – and not of the coughing, sneezing kind! The stunts are incredibly imaginative and there are a ton of them that aren’t revealed in the trailer! If I could live in any imaginary, badass world, it would be this one.

- (Spoiler) There’s a plot twist that’s not even HINTED at in the trailers. I love this! Never saw it coming.

- No stupid sex scene or lame love plot. Woohoo!

Cons:
- Why does every badass chick whether she’s a cop, assassin or spy, have to have “daddy” baggage, specifically “dead daddy” baggage? For once I want a badass chick to just be a badass chick. Maybe her parents are still alive, treated her great, live in suburban Pennsylvania, and maybe they even support her career decision! But she chose to kick some bad guy ass just because. Is that too much to ask for?!

- Weird back story to “The Fraternity.” Weavers and taking orders from a loom? Hm.

- Sometimes, it was just too much. This is where it’s like “Shoot Em Up” just a little over the gross quota for one film. But only sometimes (mostly at the end).

- A lot, and I mean unanimously agreed upon in my circle, that A LOT of innocent people die, which is not usually what “good guys” are after. Also, the “Fraternity’s” motto is “Kill one, save a thousand”, but I guess we are just supposed to forget that for one or two scenes.

Unique Qualities:
- The magical bullets used in the movie and how they do really cool tricks!

- How convincing MacAvoy is as an assassin and as a bored, run of the mill “Average Joe.”

- Even though friends of mine guessed the end twist, the fact that we weren’t expecting one is just awesome! Awesome!


What movies would you compare this one to? Has anyone read the comic book that it’s based off of?

“Basically, I'm for anything that gets you through the night - be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniels.” – Frank Sinatra

So may the prayers, tranquilizers and JD be with you and see you next time.
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