by Jennifer Marie G. Castro
IN WANTED, James McAvoy (Atonement) plays Wesley Gibson, an apathetic accountant who inherently has the skills to become a top-notch assassin. The film is loosely based on a comic book miniseries by Mark Millar. Director Timur Bekmambetov gives viewers plenty of sharp-shooting, car-twisting, and impossible feats in this action thriller.
Gibson is a nobody who passively endures a nagging boss, an ignorant best friend, and a whiny girlfriend. One day, he encounters Fox (Angelina Jolie, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and joins the Fraternity, a group of skilled assassins led by Sloan (Morgan Freeman, Million Dollar Baby).
Wanted’s plot in itself is ridiculous. The story of how the Fraternity came to be is too unbelievable. Also, its narrative and script do not really bring anything new to the table as it resembles many other action thrillers. Fortunately, its stunts and cast salvage the plot by bringing action—and lots of it.
From his voice-over narration to his unaffected demeanor, James McAvoy plays his part perfectly. The transition from an indifferent accountant to a deadly assassin is believable, if not remarkably smooth. In his first venture into action, McAvoy effectively balances likeability with killer instinct. Although the stunts are the main attraction, he still manages to make an impact on viewers and will undoubtedly have a future in action thrillers.
As mentor and companion to Gibson’s foray into the world of cold-blooded murder, Fox has the attitude and physique that complement his naiveté. Jolie plays her role well by showing a caring and semi-idealist side to the naturally strong and serious assassin. Her approachability allows her to be more than a woman who can handle a gun.
As the leader of the Fraternity, Freeman adds credibility to the ludicrous plot through his calmly dictatorial demeanor. He gives viewers a glimpse of both sides of the coin: a compassionate mentor and a power-hungry killer. While his character does not call for the greatest of acting skills, Freeman makes a strong impression and even steals some of the limelight from McAvoy and Jolie.
Wanted definitely delivers on the action. Between the car chases and shooting sequences, the audience barely manages to catch its breath before the next action stunt begins. The film does not only showcase the suave and cool side to being an assassin, but also highlights the dirty work involved. There is a lot of blood shed in the movie, more so than in recent assassin flicks like Hitman.
Wanted’s strongest point lies in its stunts and special effects, but the cast brings in good performances as well. The film isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it does make for a decent popcorn flick. If you’re watching it for the action, it’s one of the best films this year. If, however, you’re hoping for a good plot, Wanted will leave you wanting.
Rating: 4 out of 5 g’s
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