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Wanted review
:. Director: Timur Bekmambetov
:. Starring: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie
:. Script: Michael Brandt Derek Haas
:. Running Time: 1:50
:. Year: 2008
:. Country: USA
:. Official Site: Wanted
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Writer/Director Timur Bekmambetov is known for two things: his ultra-kinetic filmmaking style and his propensity at recycling scenes and themes from popular Hollywood flicks, a formula that proved to be quite successful, given the success of his — overated — Nightwatch saga, both in his Russian homeland and internationally.
Hollywood quickly took note and, during the first third of his first American effort, his signature is recognizable, from the over-the-top opening sequence to a familiar setting, which starts on a Matrix note before turning into full Terminator mode.
Lacking the monolithic charisma of a Keanu Reeves, James McAvoy (Wesley Gibson) shows more emotions but can't quite make the cut from supernerd to superkiller because, unlike Mr. Reeves, he doesn't have an ageless face that captures both youth and adultness. What however spices up the movie is Angelina Jolie's incarnation as a killer as, for the first time, she is able to give Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil) a run for her money, proving to be both sexy and lethal — Ms. Jolie's achievement is due to the fact that, contrary to the soporific Lara Croft entries and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the filmmaker molded the character to her wild nature (tattoos and punk-chic looks) instead of trying to turn her into a polished Barbie doll with guns.
The middle of the movie, which focuses on Gibson's apprenticeship, exhibits a strong amount of cruelty and violence, setting the tone for a final act that proves to be both a spectacular and bloody affair. Fully embracing the vibes of dark comics or brutal video games, Mr. Bekmambetov shows no mercy, succeeding in his depiction of crude violence where Shoot 'em Up miserably failed, mostly because his cinema provides enough entertainment and twists to elevate itself beyond its gory nature and what you can see with your gaming console.
Wanted is a perfect product for teenagers and a generation fed on vicious video games. Despite its obvious silliness, excessiveness and boyish nature, the film is however able to transcend its target market to reach a wider audience. Wanted indeed proves itself to be more entertaining and satisfying than the gimmicky headache-inducing NightWatch trilogy, probably because here Mr. Bekmambetov doesn't try to make us think he is reinventing science fiction. Rather he offers us an unapologetic popcorn flick for a mindless summer night and, if you're in the mood for some rough and silly entertainment, Wanted might provide the thrills you're looking for.
Fred Thom
 Night Watch
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