Film: Wanted

Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Studio: Bazelevs Production
Principal Actors: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie
Running Time: 110 Minutes
Rating: R
Released: 27 June 2008 

Reviewed By: Lauren Eldridge (Port Moody/Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

Known as "The Fraternity," an organization of assassins has spent centuries learning how to control their anxiety attacks and use them to heighten their senses and abilities. Originally a group of weavers, their modern-day leader Sloan (Morgan Freeman) carries out their ancient method of determining fate by reading a code found in the loom of destiny. Believing he is called to avenge his father's death, Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is enlisted and trained, everything he learns builds-up to an incredible twist of fate that will determine the rest of his life. 

I must admit, I knew nothing about this film except that I really, really like James McAvoy. I was sceptical at first, having spent the first twenty minutes of the film alternating between laughing, covering my eyes, and wondering what the hell was going on? Once we got past the strange and tumultuous introduction and into the character development, my love for McAvoy was only increased as this movie about bettering one's self both physically and mentally proved not only McAvoy's promising career in acting, but also his built torso. I always forget that McAvoy is actually really Scottish, since he does such a great job of disguising his accent (he played a Brit in Becoming Jane and he is American in Wanted).

I believe this film primarily meant to be dramatic, but my movie buddy and I spent as much time laughing as we spent shocked at some of the gore. The movie was quite explicit in terms of death, sex, and language, but once you accept the fact that nothing makes sense right away it is an interesting film to enjoy. Even Angelina Jolie puts in a decent performance, since I normally am not engaged by her acting. Morgan Freeman's rather regular appearance as the cool and calculating bad guy is fitting in this film, and I believe the casting was correct for all of the roles played. 

While I wouldn't take a girlfriend to this movie (unless she likes seeing people quite explicitly shot in the head), it makes a great guy film. If the movie hadn't made such a decent recovery from the confusing opening scenes, I probably wouldn't be recommending it at all. Stay in this film for the long-haul and you will reap the rewards from it.