"Wanted" Nearly Awesome

Rating: 7/10 (2 July 2008)

Up until the last 3 minutes I thought Director Timur Bekmambetov's "Wanted" was the coolest movie ever made. The campy dialogue at its conclusion does the movie in. In context this is surprising. "Wanted" is completely over the top orchestrated chaos and violence, and classy camp is just part of the deal. Ultimately, the script douses the movie's innate genius and style. "Wanted" is blatantly reminiscent of "The Matrix". Writers Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, and Chris Morgan wrote their screenplay based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. Unlike the cyber reality of "The Matrix", "Wanted" invents the mythology of the 1000 year old Fraternity—prolific assassins. The Fraternity terminates designated targets and maintains the balance of good and evil in the world. Theirs is a dark world of order and secrecy. Members of the Fraternity have the distinct inherited ability to control the adrenaline in their bodies. Consequently, they can seemingly summon great physical strength, speed, agility, and reflexes at will. As part of their Zen-like training they can curve the trajectory of bullets. They are the ultimate assassins. Angelina Jolie is amazing and so darkly charismatic as Fox, the Fraternity's elite assassin. James McAvoy captures the emerging hero Wesley, who is so disgusted with his ordinary life.
Curved accelerating bullets, high speed automatic weapons blazing from a red Viper, and the cataclysmic derailing train during assassination attempt characterize the bold and maverick style of Bekmambetov's "Wanted". Most of the narrative shortcomings are diluted by the director's blinding pace—mostly.
McAvoy plays Wesley, a panic suffering account manager working for tyrannical morbidly obese office manager Janice (greatly evil Lorna Scott). Wesley is hooked on anxiety medication, enduring his venomous girlfriend Cathy (pretty Kristen Hager). Wesley's co-worker Barry (comically dense Chris Pratt) is having sex with Cathy, which Wesley also knows. One day while Wesley is refilling anxiety medication prescription he encounters strikingly beautiful Fox (Jolie). Fox tells Wesley that his father, perhaps the greatest assassin who ever lived, was killed the day before. Wesley had thought his father had died soon after he was born. What ensues is spectacularly orchestrated carnage and mayhem with Fox, Wesley, and apparently the man who killed Wesley's father—Cross (silently charismatic Thomas Kretschmann). What also follows is one of the most amazing car chases in movies.
Fox brings Wesley to Fraternity Leader Sloan (ultra cool Morgan Freeman). Sloan demonstrates to Wesley his legacy and innate gifts. He invites him to "take control of your own destiny", and join the Fraternity. After predictable soul searching, Wesley chooses to join the Fraternity. Fox is charged with transforming wimpy Wesley into the next great master assassin. Wesley endures unbelievable physical beatings and training, toward one end—avenging his father's murder. Here Angelina Jolie emerges as a powerful force. Jolie's Fox has an air of quiet gravitas and profound sadness. In a great moment she recounts her tragic past, and then tells Wesley, "Kill one. Maybe save a thousand." James McAvoy plays the lead hero Wesley, but it is really Angelina Jolie's enigmatic presence that resonates throughout "Wanted". McAvoy brilliantly captures the angst and thrill of the young man reconciling his great powers. Freeman leverages his regal and calculated persona as Sloan. Jolie embodies a samurai soul that serves "Wanted". As Fox she is strong, vulnerable, and all about honor. Jolie is perhaps the most stunningly beautiful woman on the motion picture screen. She is a compelling actor, who performs all the action with pathos and élan.
"Wanted" could have been one of the coolest movies of all time, had the story followed through and eased up a bit on the camp. That being said, "Wanted" is a brilliant wild ride with killer performances from Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy. Hold on to your seats.