ck2k01
Jun 27 2008, 07:00
I just got back from a midnight screening of Wanted and I absolutely loved it.
I wasn't too excited about it initially judging from the trailers (it looked way too cheesy, which in retrospect, it is), but after reading some favorable early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes last week, I went out and bought the collected comic that the film is based upon and rather quite enjoyed it.
The film deviates a bit from the comic but I think overall the changes are for the better. The director (who also directed Night Watch and Day Watch) includes a number of scenes and lines of dialogue that pay direct tribute to the source material though, and these touches will bring a smile to your face if you've happened to have read the comic.
For those who haven't read the comic and aren't sure what to expect, the best way I could describe it would be to think Kill Bill meets The Matrix meets Lucky Number Slevin. The film never takes itself seriously in the least bit and it's completely (and I mean utterly) over-the-top with action and violence. There are some great moments and lines of black humor that had the entire theater laughing, and the fanatical action and violence just add to the fun and light-heartedness of the film.
This was the most fun I've had at the movies since Iron Man and if you're down for a balls-to-the-wall popcorn flick, I highly recommend it. Oh, and you're treated to a nice shot of Angelina Jolie's backside.
In sum, I'll give it a 4/5.
EDIT: I forgot to add (2008) to the title. Would a mod mind fixing that. Thanks.
njlouch
Jun 27 2008, 14:50
I went last night. I will be honest - I had very low expectations of this - assumed it was going to be a "by the numbers" dumb action flick with ideas above it's station. I was also in a foul mood and considering boycotting cinema's and harvesting some quite politically incorrect views about the racial demographic of cinema go-ers of my local area.
I must note: I was unaware of any comic.
First impressions - well, they've clearly watched the Matrix. But that's no bad thing, and paralells are going to be drawn.
But then the more I got into it, the more I actually REALLY enjoyed the film. It's very well directed, the story moves at a good pace, and the characters are easy enough to like/dislike. Sure it's a little light-hearted in places, some of the storyline progresses without any reason, and the acting is so-so.
Jolie and Freeman are playing it down the line - nothing new, not stretching at all. McEvoy (or whatver) is NOT convincing at all as an action figure until he "get's his sneer-on", his accent is awkward.
But I just enjoyed how the pace didn't really ease-up, I liked how the overall special effect is part of the narrative, it made sense.
Yeah, maybe not a 4/5 but a close 3.75/5
From the trailers I figured it was going to something more along the lines of Shoot 'Em Up. Not the greatest movie, but one of those action flicks with over the top action, not too serious about anything and just a nice watch and change from everything.
I'm looking forward to viewing it soon - glad to hear it's not bad at all
Im going to see it today, now my expectations are high, thanks guys....
ck2k01
Jun 27 2008, 18:46
Quote - (Keito @ Jun 27 2008, 15:55)

From the trailers I figured it was going to something more along the lines of Shoot 'Em Up. Not the greatest movie, but one of those action flicks with over the top action, not too serious about anything and just a nice watch and change from everything.
I'm looking forward to viewing it soon - glad to hear it's not bad at all

I never saw
Shoot 'Em Up, but based on the trailers I had seen, I'd assume the action was along the same lines.
Ayepecks
Jun 28 2008, 03:38
Can't wait to see it
.fahim
Jun 29 2008, 00:07
Saw this today - my expectation wasn't too high but definitely recommended for a somewhat mindless action movie...
SkyyPunk
Jun 29 2008, 04:27
Sounds good! Ill be there tomorrow morning for the $5 show
just caught this show like 4 hours ago. in all, i thought the plot was rather bad but the action a full 10/10.
several twists were unexpected. but overall, a 8/10 for the movie.
SkyyPunk
Jun 29 2008, 20:22
yea I would also say 8/10, pretty good!
gigapixels
Jun 29 2008, 20:24
I'd give it an 8/10 as well. Overall the story was good, the action was good, but there were a few things that were just too gimmicky.
PermaSt0ne
Jun 29 2008, 20:27
my only major complaint about the movie was that it was EXTREMELY loud. maybe it was just the theater i saw it at but my ears where hurting when it was over
all in all a 7/10 from me (i saw the "twists" coming so that kinda ruined those surprise parts)
ck2k01
Jun 29 2008, 21:08
Quote - (PermaSt0ne @ Jun 29 2008, 21:27)

my only major complaint about the movie was that it was EXTREMELY loud. maybe it was just the theater i saw it at but my ears where hurting when it was over
all in all a 7/10 from me (i saw the "twists" coming so that kinda ruined those surprise parts)
Heh, my viewing was the complete opposite. For whatever reason, they only had the speakers behind the screen turned on, and rather low at that. When you consider it was the 12:01am Thursday night showing (thus the theater was completely full), I had to strain just to hear the dialogue.
i wanted to leave this movie, one bc it was 1 AM and two bc it was a bad story line, but great mindless action film.
i dont know the trailers made it seem like a direct Matrix rip. Plus the black guy in it, reminded me too much of Jumper. the only reason im going to see it is because of Jolie.
joyntkid
Jun 30 2008, 00:12
Quote - (.statix @ Jun 30 2008, 00:10)

i dont know the trailers made it seem like a direct Matrix rip. Plus the black guy in it, reminded me too much of Jumper. the only reason im going to see it is because of Jolie.
Yeah, I read a review that said it would do what The Matrix did for DVD for Blu Ray.
Oddly enough not because it was a Matrix rip off, just because of the sick actiion, effects, visuals, and audio and stuff.
Ultomato
Jun 30 2008, 09:10
this movie reminded me of matrix mixed with fight club but not as good as any of these.
backdrifter
Jun 30 2008, 09:24
The action effects were great but the story was awful (I haven't read the comic maybe that was the problem but come on, it was really shallow)
One I thing I appreciated, there was no needless love story stuffed in between
Pretty good movie, they didnt drag it or added a happy ending just for the hell of it, im probably watching it again

, 9/10 for me
Matrix XII
Jul 9 2008, 10:14
I thought this movie was horrible. The only thing that saved it in my mind was that it was pretty witty.
Storyline was dull, the acting was alright.
What I hated was how ridiculous the whole premise was. People are jumping like 200 feet across high rises, curving bullets, getting the **** beat out of you and recovering the next day, and I never heard them mentioning anything about superpowers, except that his heart rate could go up to 400 bpm (wtf) and give him focusing techniques.
Cheap thrills, poor story, decent acting. That's "Wanted" in a nutshell.
5/10
I thought this movie was awesome, saw it last night, its a great action flick. Definitely keeps you excited!
brentaal
Jul 10 2008, 10:04
Seen it yesterday, wasn't really impressed... expected more from it, to be honest.
The storyline seemed weak throughout the whole movie, but the acting was at least good...
2.5/5
it was one hell of a movie
Amazing film, one of my all time favourites by far.
minkcar
Jul 13 2008, 15:04
I saw it Friday and I personally thought it was brilliant!
lylesback2
Jul 28 2008, 01:53
I thought this movie was actually very cool. It was a bit different from regular movies, but had a matrix feel.
Some very cool fighting scenes, and a good twist at the end. 9/10


must watch
Master Shake
Jul 30 2008, 01:23
I thought it was terrible and cheesey.
2/5
zer0day
Jul 30 2008, 16:52
Terrible film. The car chase scene was rubbish and overdone. It was a good storyline, but they implemented it all in a bad way. A huge disappointment.
creamhackered
Jul 30 2008, 16:54
I watched it last night and I was impressed with all the cool effects. It was kinda matrix/fight club. I liked it
A.B.L.N.N.
Jul 30 2008, 16:59
To everyone who liked this movie, I recommend
Night Watch and
Day Watch, as they are made with the same cinematic quality and special effects quality. Some of the best Russian films since the Soviet Union dissolved. And if you really like Russian movies after watching those two I recommend checking out Paragraph 78 Part 1 and Part 2.
Quote - (zer0day @ Jul 30 2008, 17:52)

Terrible film. The car chase scene was rubbish and overdone. It was a good storyline, but they implemented it all in a bad way. A huge disappointment.
Yeah I felt the same
_InitializeD_
Jul 30 2008, 23:14
it wasn't that bad except for the car chase scenes, they were soooooo 'the transporter 2' or in other words insulting to the viewer's intelligence but the plot compensated for these stupid scenes.
i'll give it a 4
Techno_Funky
Aug 3 2008, 16:01
Jolies ... "I'll Pick you up" stunt was aswesome lol!!
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