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Wanted
As an action movie, Wanted succeeds but fails to amaze.
Review by Sirus
Wanted is based on a graphic novel series, which seems to be the latest fad these days. All it takes is one successful movie based on a graphic novel and audiences around the country flock to see each successive one hoping that their pedigree will somehow help them rise above the rest. Wanted’s plot sure sounds good and makes for some solid action and decent storytelling, but in the end the movie is nothing more than wasted potential. The movie opens with a look at a male character whom many would consider a failed attempt at becoming a man, living out his miserable existence, taking flack from everyone around him.
Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) lost his reason for living a long time ago and sloshes through his horribly dull routine life without much hope for change. Everything changes for Wesley, though, when a group of assassins known as The Fraternity set their sights on him. They tell him that his father was one of them so he has the potential to become great himself. The Fraternity spends quite a long time training Wesley so that he can take down one man who is a threat to everything The Fraternity stands for. The plot has some twists and turns, but in the end only serves as an excuse to set up crazy action scenes. While in some cases that setup works, the action scenes aren’t particularly long or mind blowing and fail to drive the movie as well as they should.
James McAvoy gives a solid performance in his limited role. What is particularly fun to watch is his transformation from the sad worthless fop to the self-realized assassin. Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman have fairly substantial roles as well, but neither one of them is given enough screen time. They both give their characters the attitude that fits within the limits of their personae. The score is composed by Danny Elfman with all the signatures his music is known for. The score is a mixture of big epic orchestral suites and a hint of rock. There are also two rock songs that play throughout the movie. Each one has lyrics that fit the scenes in which they are used and which give the scenes an extra kick.
As an action movie, Wanted succeeds but fails to amaze. There are a few solid action sequences, but most of them are too short-lived and only one or two of them get the adrenaline flowing. Some of the action scenes make use of a few novel techniques for killing, but none of them is used well enough to be memorable. As a thriller the movie is good enough to keep audiences slightly interested in between the action, but the characters aren’t developed well enough that I cared what happened to them. Wanted is a good excuse to get out and enjoy the air conditioning of a theater on a hot day, but not the kind of movie you will want to see a second time.
Second Opinion
by Dack
The first 20 minutes of Wanted are probably the most action packed and downright cool 20 minutes of any movie so far this year. The cinematography, story and action is unique and innovative. Unfortunately, the movie slowly becomes more standard action fare. However, the film is still fun and unique enough to easily recommend.
Final Score
As an action movie, Wanted succeeds but fails to amaze.
Review by Sirus
Wanted is based on a graphic novel series, which seems to be the latest fad these days. All it takes is one successful movie based on a graphic novel and audiences around the country flock to see each successive one hoping that their pedigree will somehow help them rise above the rest. Wanted’s plot sure sounds good and makes for some solid action and decent storytelling, but in the end the movie is nothing more than wasted potential. The movie opens with a look at a male character whom many would consider a failed attempt at becoming a man, living out his miserable existence, taking flack from everyone around him.
Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) lost his reason for living a long time ago and sloshes through his horribly dull routine life without much hope for change. Everything changes for Wesley, though, when a group of assassins known as The Fraternity set their sights on him. They tell him that his father was one of them so he has the potential to become great himself. The Fraternity spends quite a long time training Wesley so that he can take down one man who is a threat to everything The Fraternity stands for. The plot has some twists and turns, but in the end only serves as an excuse to set up crazy action scenes. While in some cases that setup works, the action scenes aren’t particularly long or mind blowing and fail to drive the movie as well as they should.
James McAvoy gives a solid performance in his limited role. What is particularly fun to watch is his transformation from the sad worthless fop to the self-realized assassin. Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman have fairly substantial roles as well, but neither one of them is given enough screen time. They both give their characters the attitude that fits within the limits of their personae. The score is composed by Danny Elfman with all the signatures his music is known for. The score is a mixture of big epic orchestral suites and a hint of rock. There are also two rock songs that play throughout the movie. Each one has lyrics that fit the scenes in which they are used and which give the scenes an extra kick.
As an action movie, Wanted succeeds but fails to amaze. There are a few solid action sequences, but most of them are too short-lived and only one or two of them get the adrenaline flowing. Some of the action scenes make use of a few novel techniques for killing, but none of them is used well enough to be memorable. As a thriller the movie is good enough to keep audiences slightly interested in between the action, but the characters aren’t developed well enough that I cared what happened to them. Wanted is a good excuse to get out and enjoy the air conditioning of a theater on a hot day, but not the kind of movie you will want to see a second time.
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by Dack
The first 20 minutes of Wanted are probably the most action packed and downright cool 20 minutes of any movie so far this year. The cinematography, story and action is unique and innovative. Unfortunately, the movie slowly becomes more standard action fare. However, the film is still fun and unique enough to easily recommend.
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Final Score
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