Wanted (2008)

[ck2k01]

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.

Edited June 27, 2008 by ck2k01

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

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 :)

[Keito]

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 :D

[CY:G]

Im going to see it today, now my expectations are high, thanks guys....

[ck2k01]

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 :D

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]

Can't wait to see it (Y)

[+Fahim S. MVC]

Saw this today - my expectation wasn't too high but definitely recommended for a somewhat mindless action movie...

[SkyyPunk Veteran]

Sounds good! Ill be there tomorrow morning for the $5 show :D

[evo0o]

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 Veteran]

yea I would also say 8/10, pretty good!

[gigapixels Veteran]

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]

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]

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.

[GuJu]

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.

[WooSH]

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]

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]

this movie reminded me of matrix mixed with fight club but not as good as any of these.

[backdrifter]

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 (Y)

[CY:G]

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]

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

Edited July 9, 2008 by Matrix XII

[.KICK]

I thought this movie was awesome, saw it last night, its a great action flick. Definitely keeps you excited!

[brentaal]

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

[Soham]

it was one hell of a movie

[Brad.]

Amazing film, one of my all time favourites by far.

[minkcar]

I saw it Friday and I personally thought it was brilliant!