Wanted

A very pleasant surprise. Great actors, good action, not nearly as bad a script as I expected and above all a generous portion of directorial ideas. Too bad about the lower budget and thus unimaginative production design and maybe too frantically filmed fights. Anyway, an enjoyably anarchic extravaganza that pulls no punches. (06/23/2008)

Let your heart rate increase to 400, let yourself be kissed by Angelina, and above all, let everything go. Because it's just futile writhing from nowhere to nowhere. You won't find a more peculiar way to find spiritual revival anytime soon. Twist the path to the bullets, fulfill the mission, or just enjoy it splendidly. Because James McAvoy as the God of Chaos is watching over you and makes you forget that the plot about a woven message is actually just a big nonsense. So now you can tell me, why are you here...? (08/14/2008)

The actors are of course great and also quite sexy, but Wanted is a one-sided exhibition of its director. Bekmambetov may be a visual gourmet and a big fan of straightforward cinematic action, which makes the film flow incredibly well with scenes that outdo each other thanks to the effectiveness of the effects and the rhythmic editing, but he somehow forgot that a pure action flick should also tell a story. Wanted tries to have a stylish plot, and there is even one big twist (which comes to the surface during the most frantic action sequence), but it all feels too shallow and superficial.... No one can deny its potential to help you switch off your brain, but unfortunately, in the busy Hollywood competition, I demand a little more than that. 70% (03/01/2012)

I'm pretty bummed about this movie... since I hate bullying and abuse, at first I wanted to turn the movie off. I like Angelina, but at that moment I hated her! The whole movie actually struck me as made up and a stupid take on a young boy. I don't think that's the impression it was supposed to leave on me. Luckily the ending evened everything out and I surprisingly liked the film as a whole... MAYBE it was even clever?! (02/09/2011)

If I were a target, Wanted would hit my bullseye. It's got everything I love: Fight Club-style funny lines, action scenes that recall Matrix, and a twist that is delivered when you least expect it. James McAvoy, who I quite liked because of his performance in Atonement, fits the role of Wesley like a glove. He’s convincing as a cowardly loser who takes anti-anxiety pills for breakfast (and, in fact, for snacks, lunch, and dinner) and as a sharpshooter who knows exactly what he wants. Angelina driving a Lada is irresistible (I think Fox is the most important role of her career) and Morgan Freeman is a tough guy once again. I would highlight the perfect action sequence on the Pendolino train, which arouses both amusement and amazement (were they crossing the Macocha Gorge? :-), the fact that they finally mentioned my native Moravia in a foreign action movie, and the impeccable soundtrack by Danny Elfman who also sings the title song. (08/01/2008)