Formula-loving action fun

Rating: 7/10 (5 August 2008)

Car chases, gun fights, slow motion, a protagonist with exceptional yet hidden assassination talents, Angelina Jolie's bare backside and Morgan Freeman as a wise leader figure. Let's just say that "Wanted" has all the bases covered when it comes to building an action movie. Hard to argue with that formula and to be honest, what you see is what you get. This movie is action, action, and more action that's been injected with steroids. If you want substance outside of the overdone "choose your own destiny" theme, look elsewhere. Seriously.
"Wanted" stars James McAvoy in his first blockbuster-style movie as Welsey Gibson, an ordinary loser accountant that hates his life until he's magically whirlwinded into learning his father was the greatest assassin ever and that he too has those abilities. Wesley of course learns from the best, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie as he assumes what he comes to believe as his destiny.
This film walks a fine line between borrowed concepts and clichés from action movie secret society stories. At times you get the sense you're watching something you've never seen before and yet you get this feeling that it's all incredibly familiar. For example, there are some really awesome, unique scenes, particularly the car sequences and then there are overdone slow motion techniques that first-time director of an American film Timur Bekmambetov uses. As a result, the film bounces back and forth from cool and engaging to overdone and over-stimulating. So, when the film spits this edgy narrative and flashy style at you, you either say "awesome" or "seriously?"
It's easy to say this film is fun. Cool is a bit more risky because it tries to be a bit too much and usually cool films don't try to act too cool. It's for sure entertaining and a good kill of a couple hours, which is all you need from a film sometimes. There are a lot worse action films out there that won't keep your attention but this one does. Somehow, you still are interested in these characters, even if they're a bit hollow.
Gotta give "Wanted" credit though. Nowadays, you don't usually see "all-formula, all the time" films come out and get solid reviews. It's really good at recycling and putting twists on familiar concepts and making them appear a bit more fresh. "Wanted" knows which cards to get and how to play them right, that's for sure.