Review of Wanted (2008) by Joseph C — 26 Nov 2012

What's bleakly hilarious about the whole movie is that Bekmambetov directs the nonaction scenes just as hyperbolically. Bekmambetov revs it up furiously and unleashes one bit of hyperactive, dazzling invention after another. The result is a throwaway wrapped up in the coolest packaging imaginable, which is acres better than the opposite. Wanted is fast-moving and bloody, enjoyable even within its unapologetically generic limits. But McAvoy is its real secret weapon. Like it or not, Wanted pretty much slams you to the back of your chair from the outset and scarcely lets up for the duration. It takes about an hour after it's over for the heart to slow, the brain to recalibrate, and the nonsensicalness of the thing to sink in. Wanted is too bloody, too over the top, too silly, and too special effects driven. It's also excessively entertaining and fun. This over-the-top, ultraviolent, hyperkinetic action thriller pretty much has it all.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive Reaction] This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent. (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).