Wanted

I was expecting a bigger action bomb, everything was is too free and cool for it to captivate me. This is not another Matrix, this loaded and spectacular ride is basically a banal simple story about an outsider who gets beaten up, goes through a tough training, where the ending can be easily guessed. The action scenes are not as excellent as I expected and the slow-motion effects are not as effective as I expected. However, the whole thing looks daring, unconventional, and above all, it doesn't take itself too seriously, so I'm able to accept the bending bullets, the camera gun, the digital high-speed train, and the flying Viper. I have already said that Bekmambetov has a sense and talent for action, but he should finally give it his all and forget about slow-motion and other technical nonsense that only disrupts an otherwise solid pace. (11/08/2008)

Subjectively, it's not a five-star film. Wanted would have had to do more fucking and shooting heads instead of explaining why they were doing it in the first place, it's just that in terms of a multiplex blockbuster, Bekmambetov's work is a real evolution for several reasons. 1) It clearly demonstrates how an action movie can combine a good dose of blood and violence. 2) It has the balls to tell off people who have spent considerable resources to see it, see the keyboard scene or the hero's last line ("And what the fuck have you done lately? " – they watched Wanted). 3) While in other movies the hero emerges from his personal shit (school loser – Kick-Ass, Spider-Man; personal trauma – Batman), Wesley's naked self emerges in Wanted from the shit that all of society is in. So while Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker, and the like are different before they turn into supermen, Wesley Gibson is just like all of us and rises from that state. In fact, he's kind of the subconscious hero in all of us. 4) Morgan Freeman says "Shoot that motherfucker!" 5) The basic existential question is said in front of an ATM machine at the end – which is very much true to life. -) 6) I started to like Angelina Jolie. 7) Civilization's mental "illnesses" (bouts of stress, awareness, apathy) are presented here as the germs of superpowers, and thus Wanted gives hope that my inability to concentrate, distractibility, and forgetfulness will also one day allow me to punch through metal railings, dodge bullets or massacre 400-pound fighters... (06/28/2008)

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)

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)

Or: How the Russians (I know, he’s from Kazakhstan, but still) pays Czechoslovakia a “friendly" visit, like they did in 1968, this time for American money. I’ve liked Bekmambetov ever since Night Watch, but back then he didn’t manage to keep total control. Then, in Day Watch, he let go of the reins far too much. At the beginning of Wanted, my hopeful smile was wiped from my face by the opening action scene. It’s a long time since I saw such dumbness and pure awkwardness on the silver screen. It’s just far too much. I awaited in horror what was to come. But then it managed to push itself off the bottom of the anti-talent pool to incredible quality. Even the Palahniukesque toiling of the main “pimp" indicated that Timur and his gang might manage after all. And then it really gets going, one idea after another. This is an inaccessible action movie in all ways, despite having a functional story, good actors and even that stagnating Danny Elfman is on his way to the top again. And last but not least, you have to get used to an approach where loads of teenagers are fondling their darlings in the street. I mean pistols, not girls. This is a stylish celebration of weapons. But you know what? The arms industry couldn’t hope for a better commercial. (06/26/2008)