Marketing Team Doesn't Sell True Benefits of This Film

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2008)

I initially had reservations about seeing this film, even as a free advance press screening, because of how the trailers portrayed it. Scenes of Angelina (good actress, but isn't she getting ridiculously typecast at this point?) in various states of dress and performing inhuman acts just didn't entice me. I was very pleased as the plot progressed to see that this is merely an initial rush of smoke and mirrors and the real meat of this film doesn't really involve her much.
The plot is pretty simple, so I'll spin it quick. Basically Wesley is a doormat and hates his life until an assassin introduces him to a group of assassins known as the fraternity. The reason he is chosen is that he shares a bloodline with another member. They train him and prepare him to be an aggressive assassin instead of a pushover. I like the way this movie transitions Wesley's change, even though it's kinda preachy a la "Fight Club" and a little too much too fast. The plot moves with the sleek finesse of the fraternity members and always keeps you interested, especially with twists that are much less predictable than recent films and don't require a stretch of the imagination. The whole film comes together with a satisfying ending that leaves smiling. While the film is a little on the testosterone-induced macho side, I don't see it being all that uninteresting to the typical female viewer.
Jolie (who plays as Fox) delivers another good performance, one that is nearly perfected at this point because it's basically recycled. She's beautiful in form and stimulating to watch, but I can't help but thinking that it's Angelina playing Angelina, not a character. Freeman (as Sloan) delivers an intriguing performance that changes the dynamic of his acting as of late. While he still commands the scene like most films, he is playing an interesting new type of role that allows him to be more lighthearted in his later projects. While I enjoyed Freeman's performance, I must still give the golden star to James McAvoy (who plays the lead Wesley) on his stellar jump into a new type of film. He moves the plot with a convincing transition from doormat to bad ass and somehow keeps your eyes focused on his presence even when Jolie is around. As an actor I really know from a random role in "Swimming Pool" and as the Faun in "Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe" I must say he molds into the action lead role nicely; bully for him. The supporting cast does a good job to back these top three, many character actors you'll recognize from various projects, and it all comes together in a nice neat package.
It won't take home any significant awards this year and it will join the many films that are chock full of beautiful babes, hardcore killers, and intriguing setup. The difference is that your film buddy won't be able to predict more than about 1/3 of the twists correctly, which is refreshing with a formula that has been rather overdone. Its a good time and doesn't disappoint for all audiences, especially action junkies.