One fun ass movie!

Rating: 9/10 (2 August 2010)

WANTED (2008) is one of those flicks that knows what it's about...unabashed, unadulterated, unapologetic, fun! The plot and story are thin, thin, thin, but so what? The movie is told with confidence, flair, and style and never lets up. Infusing elements of The Matrix as well as action sequences reminiscent of scenes from Mission Impossible (the train scene), The Karate Kid (training scenes), and Commando (the kick ass finale), WANTED stars up-and-coming superstar James McAvoy (from Atonement and The Last King of Scotland), a young Brit with loads of talent and ability. And he gets to get the action genre out of the way early in his career! McAvoy supplies the flick with much-needed humor. He is self-deprecating as he is a rather slight man, but at the same time, convinces when he becomes a true badass.
McAvoy is supported by none other than megastars Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, who act as McAvoy's mentors. Freeman, while adding dignity and weight to the proceedings, manages never to come across as pretentious (as he sometimes does in films) and plays his role just with tongue-in-cheek appeal reminiscent of the mentors in the KILL BILL movies. Actually, I'm not a huge fan of Jolie at all, but her over-the-top sex appeal is toned down just enough in this to make her sensual, but convincing as a deadly assassin. And her odd chemistry with McAvoy is fun to watch. But McAvoy is the main draw in this flick, a refreshing newcomer that keeps you rooting for his character to the very end.
WANTED starts off with a literal Matrix-like bang as a mysterious assassin (nailed by David O'Hara) performs his latest hit, then after a series of thrilling sequences, is killed. Then we are introduced to Wesley (McAvoy), a nebbishy office cog. Wesley has a verbally abusive boss, the bombastic Janice (scene-stealing Lorna Scott), a brainless, bimbo-ish, self-involved girlfriend (hilarious Kristin Hager), and a jerkish best friend (funny Chris Pratt), and he has constant anxiety attacks (of course!).
An attempt is made on his life at the drug store buying his supply of anxiety medication, then hot female assassin Fox (Jolie) intervenes to save him. Wesley is destined to follow in his footsteps and become a world class assassin, so says Fox's employer Sloan (Freeman). After a lot of pleading and plodding, Sloan convinces Wesley to face his destiny head on and Fox and Sloan's other assassins (including rapper Common, who is quite convincing in a small role) train him.
The scenes of Wesley's training are slick and stylish with great special effects and stuntwork. Freeman and Jolie's cold, professional seriousness is a great counterpoint to McAvoy's comical, light take on everything. The 2 opposing styles clash to make a totally enjoyable movie-going experience. It's almost like they WILL him to become a bad-ass, which is kind of what happens! The action scenes are over-the-top, but entertaining as all get out and done in a fun, fast-paced way where I couldn't help but be drawn in. The ending scene is as exciting as the come, with a perfect musical accompaniment that makes it worth it. WANTED!