Review of Wanted (2008) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2012

The Hollywood debut of Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006)) and based upon the 2003 comic book by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones. This is an absolutely insane action film, with some brilliantly staged action sequences.

It's a fast and furious action extravaganza that doesn't stop right up until the end credits, that's how action films should be, and this is very violent and great fun. Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) works in a dead-end desk job in Chicago, and his girlfriend Cathy (Kristen Hager) is over-bearing and unfaithful.

However, Wesley's life changes when he learns that his absent and deceased Dad was part of a secret society of assassins called the Fraternity, led by Sloan (Morgan Freeman). Wesley suffers from panic attacks, but they're actually adrenaline rushes that give him superhuman strength.

Wesley is asked to join, and he's put through a tough training regeme by Fox (Angelina Jolie), as Sloan believes Wesley is the only man who can avenge his Dad's death. There's some moments here that you wouldn't see in any normal action film, Bekmambetov makes it very clear from the start that this is anything but normal.

It's has all the stunts and violence you'd only get in a computer game, but this is great fun to watch, the cast are good and Bekmambetov keeps the insane pace up throughout.