Fun, suspension of belief movie, without pretensions of grandeur

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2009)

This movie is a non-pretentious thrill-ride. Jolie says little, and that's always a good thing. McAvoy plays the dweeb's transition to superhero assassin very well. He was convincing in both roles. Oh, and there's just enough silly improbability to clue you in that this movie isn't intended to be taken "too serious".
Well, after reading some of the downers who reviewed this movie, I have to say, yet again, why do people watch movies that they likely won't enjoy? This is definitely a "leave your brain at home" movie. Just pure fun and more than a little tongue-in-cheek. In many respects it shares something of what made "Crank" a fun movie. There's no doubt that most of what is portrayed in this movie is downright impossible in the real world. I see similar reviews for "Doomsday" and it makes my blood boil. Some people simply don't understand the film-makers' intentions and miss the point that it's just for fun.
Basically, we're given the premise of an every day guy who has lost his way. His job is boring, his boss is simply awful. One day, he finds out that he's really the son of a superhuman assassin and his destiny is to fill his shoes. Sure, there's a little hokey philosophy thrown in to tie the story together, but it's just a MacGuffin when all's told. No need to enter into a socio-political, philosophical rant about fate, etc.
If you've had your fill for the week of weighty, meaningful drama, or you're just a sucker for well choreographed, CGI-heavy action, then this is something for you. If, on the other hand, you believe that entertainment must only contain elements of fact and only reside in a world of what is possible, then stay at home, don't rent it, don't watch it, and don't whine on IMDb about the two hours of your life you'll never get back -- you still won't get 'em back.
All in all, I enjoyed this for what it is. It didn't leave me with a message, and I didn't think about it afterward. But sometimes, that's what I'm looking for in my entertainment.